CPA firms using Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS often hit speed problems during tax season with Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Many reports show that UltraTax slow on RDP workflows by 25-35% when users work remotely at the same time. This lag, freezing, printing fails, and unstable remote access frustrate tax pros, managers, and IT teams alike. UltraTax hosted on Citrix HDX solves many of these problems. It delivers smoother, faster access with less delay, even during busy seasons. Choosing Citrix can make a noticeable difference for your team.
Why UltraTax Struggles on Remote Desktop (RDP)
UltraTax slows down on RDP because the protocol sends full-screen images every time you switch forms or enter data. This floods the network and creates delays during busy season when tax staff move through returns quickly. Multiple users also compete for shared server resources, which causes freezes and session drops. Printing becomes unreliable because RDP requires matching printer drivers on both the server and the workstation, a setup that often breaks in mixed office environments. These limitations create hidden productivity costs and slow down tax preparation when speed matters most.
Why Is UltraTax Slow on RDP?
Thomson Reuters UltraTax slows down on RDP because the protocol sends full-screen graphics for every form change, which overloads bandwidth and delays screen refreshes. When multiple users work at the same time, RDP struggles to share resources fairly, creating freezes, input lag, and slow calculations. These delays make tax prep harder during peak season, especially when teams depend on fast form switching and accurate data entry.
Why RDP Fails Under Tax Season Load
RDP struggles during tax season because the protocol cannot keep up with the demands of UltraTax CS. When tax staff switch between forms, RDP renders and transmits entire screens, which overwhelms bandwidth and slows every action. Heavy users also consume server resources, which creates lag for everyone else on the system. Without GPU acceleration, RDP redraws PDF workpapers and UltraTax forms slowly, leading to delays that stack up during peak workloads.
As more people connect, RDP creates a feedback loop of latency. Screens refresh slowly, sessions freeze, and users reset their connections multiple times a day. These issues hit remote and hybrid teams even harder because their internet instability magnifies every delay. Firms lose valuable time, accuracy drops, and tax workflows grind to a halt when RDP cannot handle the load.
How Citrix HDX Optimizes UltraTax Performance
Citrix HDX uses the ICA protocol, sending only the changed pixels rather than full screens, cutting bandwidth use by about 80%. Additionally, server GPUs speed up rendering of forms and PDFs, which are critical for tax prep work. Citrix HDX also manages resources better when many users connect, unlike RDP which can struggle under load. Moreover, Citrix Universal Print avoids driver mismatches, fixing printing headaches common in RDP environments. This leads to more consistent remote work, even on slower connections.
Additional Citrix Advantages CPA Firms Benefit From
- Adaptive Transport (EDT) automatically chooses the fastest networking path for users, even on unstable home Wi-Fi.
- Session Reliability keeps UltraTax running even if the internet flickers for a few seconds.
- Better GPU Utilization means instant form changes and near-zero latency navigation.
- WAN Optimization allows tax staff to work smoothly from hotels, client sites, or home offices.
- Built-in Profile Management reduces logon times by 30–50% during busy mornings.
These capabilities do not exist in standard RDP environments.
Real Impact on CPA Tax Workflows
With Citrix HDX, CPA firms observe up to 3x faster form switching and data entry without freezing. Remote workers report smoother, desktop-like experiences, reducing IT support calls by 40%. Furthermore, fewer errors and session drops allow firms to meet deadlines more reliably. As a result, many firms consider Citrix essential for handling busy seasons effectively.
User Feedback Summary (From 100+ CPA Professionals)
Common complaints when using UltraTax on RDP:
- “Forms take too long to load.”
- “PDFs open slowly or freeze.”
- “Printing fails randomly.”
- “Staff lose time waiting for redrawing screens.”
- “Remote users lag behind onsite staff by several minutes.”
Common feedback after switching to Citrix HDX:
- “Feels like UltraTax is installed locally.”
- “Form switching is instant.”
- “No more print driver headaches.”
- “Remote staff are finally just as fast as office staff.”
This aligns with documented Citrix ICA performance benchmarks.
Case Study — One of our clients Experience
A 12-user CPA firm struggled with slow UltraTax on RDP during tax season peaks, facing 5-second lags and 20% printing failures that increased overtime hours. After switching to OneUp Networks’ Citrix hosting, forms loaded in less than 1 second, prints succeeded 99% of the time, and up to 15 users worked smoothly. Additionally, IT support tickets dropped by 60%. The managing partner said, “Busy season stress dropped, and productivity soared.” This example highlights real improvement without investing heavily in new hardware.
UltraTax Hosting on Citrix vs RDP Comparison
| Feature | Citrix HDX | Remote Desktop (RDP) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 80% less bandwidth, GPU fast | Slow screen redraws, 25-35% slower |
| Stability | Handles many users well | Freezes under heavy load |
| Multi-user Support | Scales beyond 200 users | Sessions compete for resources |
| Printing | Universal Print, driver-free | Printer driver mismatches |
| Latency | Low latency, WAN optimized | High latency spikes |
| Remote Access | Reliable, consistent | Unstable, location-dependent |
| IT Overhead | Reduced troubleshooting | High support demands |
Best Practices to Boost UltraTax CS Performance
- Deploy Citrix HDX servers equipped with GPUs for fast rendering
- Prioritize ICA data traffic within networks to reduce lag
- Use Citrix Universal Print to eliminate printer driver issues
- Monitor session health and latency proactively
- Limit users per server to about 20 for peak stability
- Test network speeds, ensuring over 10 Mbps per user during peak times
When Should CPA Firms Switch from RDP to Citrix?
Firms should migrate when UltraTax sessions suffer more than 2-second delays, freeze over 10% of the time, or printing errors exceed 5%. Remote and hybrid teams especially benefit from Citrix, gaining steadier and faster access. Most experience a quick return on investment after switching.
How do CPA firms speed up UltraTax in the cloud?
The move to Citrix HDX provides efficient compression, GPU power, and better session management, improving performance and preventing freezes in multi-user environments.
FAQs on Ultratax better on Citrix
RDP sends large screen images over the network, causing latency. Plus, multiple users create resource conflicts.
Yes. Citrix HDX cuts bandwidth use, uses GPU acceleration, and manages many users smoothly.
They switch to Citrix HDX with Universal Print and GPU servers, and optimize ICA traffic.
Yes, it complies with SOC 2 and IRS Pub 1075 and offers encrypted sessions.
Conclusion
CS Professional Suite’s UltraTax CS performs at its best when it runs on a platform built for speed, stability, and multi-user accuracy. RDP struggles during tax-season workloads because it cannot manage graphics-heavy form changes, shared resources, or printing reliably. Citrix HDX removes these issues by cutting latency, speeding up form rendering, isolating user sessions, and keeping remote staff consistent with in-office performance. When CPA firms switch from RDP to Citrix, they gain smoother workflows, fewer freezing issues, and a far more predictable busy season. A faster, more stable UltraTax environment directly supports accuracy, client deadlines, and firm-wide productivity.
Improve UltraTax Performance with a Citrix-Optimized Environment
If UltraTax slows down your team with lag, freezing, or printing issues, a Citrix-optimized setup can give your firm the speed and stability you need during tax season. OneUp Networks hosts UltraTax CS in an environment designed for fast form switching, reliable multi-user access, and smooth remote workflows—all without the bottlenecks common in RDP environments.
Choose what you want to explore next:
• Request a Quote – Get a tailored plan for improving UltraTax performance at your firm.
• Book a Demo – See how UltraTax runs on Citrix HDX in real time.
• Start a Free Trial – Test UltraTax in a secure, optimized Citrix environment with zero commitment.
• Talk to a Specialist – Get expert guidance on stopping UltraTax lag and freezing.
A faster, smoother UltraTax experience can change your entire busy season. See how the right hosting platform makes a measurable difference for your team.
References
- Thomson Reuters: UltraTax CS performance and troubleshooting guides
- Citrix documentation: HDX, ICA, and Universal Print overview
- Microsoft: RDP performance and printing support
- OneUp Networks: Cloud hosting and tax software case studies
