Heard offers three subscription plans designed for different practice structures and needs. This article covers how to upgrade, downgrade, or switch plans from your account.
Heard’s subscription plans
Heard Lite is the entry-level plan for solo sole proprietors seeking bookkeeping and quarterly tax support. It includes monthly bookkeeping, quarterly estimated taxes, platform access, and expert support. Annual tax filing is not included.
Essential is the full-service plan for solo sole proprietors. It includes everything in Heard Lite, plus annual tax preparation and filing.
Premium is built for S Corporations and group practices. It includes the same full-service support as Essential, with the additional complexity those structures require.
If you’re unsure which entity type applies to you, see Do I file taxes as a Sole Proprietor or an S Corporation?
Before you change your plan
A few things to know before making a change:
- Upgrading from any plan is available at any time with no waiting period. Heard maintains internal deadlines to prepare quarterly tax estimates ahead of IRS and state agency payment deadlines.
- Downgrading to Heard Lite is available to solo sole proprietors and single-member LLCs on a monthly Essential plan, as long as they have not opted into annual tax filing for the current year. Once annual tax services have been used through Heard, Heard Lite is no longer an option.
- S Corporations and group practices are not eligible for Heard Lite or Essential. Premium is the right plan for these structures.
- Annual plan members are not eligible to downgrade until their annual commitment renews.
How to change your plan from account settings
From your Heard account:
- On the left-side panel at the bottom of the page, click on Your Name, then click Settings.
- Go to the Plan & Billing tab
- Click the Change Plan button.
- On the next page, you'll see your "Current subscription"; click Update subscription.
- Click Select next to the desired plan and click Continue.
- Complete the payment steps to upgrade.
- Log out and back in to see your new plan reflected.
How to upgrade from the Taxes page
From your Heard account:
- On the left-side panel, click on Taxes.
- Click on Quarterly or Annual
- Click the Upgrade you plan button
- On the next page, you'll see your "Current subscription"; click Update subscription.
- Click Select next to the plan you are upgrading to and click Continue.
- Complete the payment steps to upgrade.
- Log out and back in to see your new plan reflected.
If the plan isn’t showing as an option
If you don’t see Heard Lite listed, your account may not be eligible for that plan change. Common reasons include:
- You’re on an annual plan or a monthly plan with a 12-month commitment
- You’ve filed taxes through Heard in a prior year, or you've opted into annual tax filing for the current year
- Your practice structure (S corp or group practice) isn’t eligible for Heard Lite
Downgrading to Heard Lite is available if all of the following apply:
- Your practice is a solo sole proprietorship or single-member LLC
- You are not filing as an S Corporation
- You are on a monthly Essential plan (not annual or annual paid monthly)
- You have not opted into annual tax filing with Heard for the current year
- You do not have Heard Payroll
If you’re not sure why a plan isn’t available, send a message to Support, and the team can review your account and explain your options.
FAQs
Does Heard Lite include annual tax filing?
No. Heard Lite covers bookkeeping and quarterly estimated taxes. Annual tax preparation and filing are included in Essential and Premium plans. If you’re on Lite and want Heard to file your return, you can upgrade to Essential at any time.
Can I downgrade from Essential to Heard Lite?
If you’re a solo sole proprietor or single-member LLC on a monthly Essential plan and haven’t opted into annual tax filing for the current year, you can switch to Heard Lite directly from your account settings. If you’ve already used Heard for annual tax services, Heard Lite is no longer available as a downgrade option.
I’m on an annual plan. Can I switch to Heard Lite now?
Not until your contract renews. Annual plans, whether paid as a lump sum or monthly over the year, run through their full term before a plan change takes effect. Your renewal date is shown in your Plan & Billing settings.
What happens to my annual taxes if I downgrade to Heard Lite?
Downgrading to Heard Lite means that annual tax filing is no longer included in your plan. If tax season comes around while you’re on Lite, you’ll have a few options: upgrade to Essential by December to be on track for an on-time return.