Luca IQ

Luca IQ is a Y Combinator-backed attempt to rebuild professional tax software from the ground up for CPA firms, launched publicly on 31 July 2026 with an e-file approved engine.

What it does well. The scope is unusually ambitious for a new entrant: client portal, document collection, auto-drafted workpapers, a deterministic tax engine and IRS e-filing in a single platform. Passing IRS Assurance Testing and becoming an Authorized IRS e-file Provider before launch is a real credential rather than marketing. The vendor says every figure traces back to its source document and that firms review every return before delivery, and the CPA founder gives the product visible domain grounding.

Where it falls short. It is days old. There is no public pricing, no published customer list, and coverage of complex return types is unproven. Betting a busy season on a version one platform is a risk few firms will take, so the realistic path is running it alongside incumbent software on a subset of returns first.

Best for. Firms frustrated with legacy desktop tax software that are willing to pilot a modern alternative, and developers who want tax calculation and e-filing behind an API.

Verdict. The most credible fresh attempt at firm tax software in years, but let it prove itself through a full filing season before moving core volume.