Between January and April, call volume can exceed what a small office can answer while preparing returns.
Many calls are status questions or document requests that end in a callback. Capturing them in a structured way saves staff time.
Calculated with 3 minutes per call, about 750 minutes a month, all answered by the AI. This profile is our estimate for a small business. At the median, providers charge $237 a month for this.
| Provider and plan | Per month | Simultaneous calls | Setup fee | Conditions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzee AISuzee AI | $79 | not stated | $0 | flat fee; Unlimited minutes and calls, all features, one plan | Try free |
| BesideUnlimited | $99 | not stated | not stated | flat fee; Unlimited AI Receptionist calls; 1 line, extra lines $4.99/month | Try free |
| Juney (Trillet)Juney Pro | $99 | not stated | not stated | No overage bill; top-ups $20 per 100 minutes; $990 a year | Try free |
| GoodcallGrowth | $129 | not stated | $0 | billed per caller, counted as one caller per call; Billed per unique caller per month, minutes not metered | Visit site |
| CallSphereAnswer | $132 | not stated | $0 | Plus usage at cost, estimated ~$0.15/min inbound; no booking on this tier | Try free |
| While You WorkPro | $144 | not stated | $0 | Urgent calls put through to cell; founding offer $59 for 12 months | Visit site |
| LobbyStackPro | $145 | unlimited | $0 | Transfers over 100 cost $0.02 each | Try free |
| Bigly SalesScout | $149 | not stated | not stated | Plus $2 per phone number, $0.05 per SMS; overage $0.138/min on annual | Visit site |
| RosieScale | $149 | not stated | not stated | billed per started minute; No per-minute overage: exceeding minutes auto-upgrades to the next plan | Try free |
| Simple PhonesAdvanced | $149 | not stated | $0 | 5 agents, languages, numbers | Try free |
Each provider's cheapest plan for this volume. Industry specialists appear only if they name this industry.
These providers have an industry page, case study or integration for this industry on their own website.
| Provider | Evidence | Starting price | Trial | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abby ConnectAnswering service with AI plan | industry page source | $164/mo source | 14-day free trial (or 500 Abby Minutes, whichever comes first), no setup fee | Try free |
| AgentZapSmall business | industry page source | $109/mo source$91/mo billed annually | No free trial; 30-day money-back guarantee | Visit site |
| AIRASmall business | industry page source | $24.95/mo source$19.96/mo billed annually | not stated | Visit site |
| AnswerHeroAnswering service with AI plan | industry page source | $19/mo source | no free trial; smaller plans offered to try the service | Visit site |
| DialzaraSmall business | industry page source | $29/mo source | 7-day free trial on every voice plan | Try free |
| MarlieSmall business | industry page source | $49/mo source | 14-day free trial (card required) | Try free |
| NextPhoneSmall business | industry page source | $199/mo source$166/mo billed annually | 7-day free trial | Try free |
| Novacall AISmall business | industry page source | on request | not stated | Visit site |
| RosieSmall business | industry page source | $49/mo source$41/mo billed annually | 7-day free trial, payment method required | Try free |
| Smith.aiAnswering service with AI plan | industry page source | $150/mo source | Free plan with 25 calls per month (no time limit stated) | Try free |
| While You WorkSmall business | industry page source | $39/mo source | US: 14-day money-back guarantee after line goes live (UK site: 7-day free trial, no card) | Visit site |
As of November 11, 2026, from provider websites. Other providers may fit as well, see all providers.
| Call | What the AI receptionist can do |
|---|---|
| Book a meeting | Books in the calendar or captures availability |
| Status of a return | Takes the question and promises a callback |
| Document drop-off and portal help | Answers with your approved instructions |
| New client enquiry | Captures name, entity type and service needed |
| Notice from the IRS or state | Flags as urgent and routes to the responsible preparer |
Start before tax season with after-hours coverage, so the setup is tested before the busiest months.
General information, not legal advice for your situation. See also two-party consent and E911 and emergencies.
It can answer routine questions, capture status requests and book meetings. Keep tax advice and any discussion of return details with your staff.
Ask how call data is stored, who the subcontractors are, whether data is used for training, and whether the vendor's safeguards fit your written information security program under the FTC Safeguards Rule.
We advise against letting the agent confirm return details. Configure it to take the request and route it to the preparer.