Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Pathward Prepares for Tax Season With Renewal of Tax Software Partnership Agreements

Signed agreements include the three-year extension of Pathward’s partnership with Drake Software

Pathward®, N.A., a U.S.-based financial empowerment company driven by its purpose to power financial inclusion, has announced that its Professional Tax Solutions team has completed all partnership agreements with key independent tax software providers for the 2025 tax season. Through its tax brands, EPS Financial and Refund Advantage, Pathward provides tax refund payment processing, taxpayer advance loans, tax office loans, prepaid cards, and customized merchant services solutions for independent tax professionals and their customer base.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250123555446/en/

Pathward has completed all partnership agreements with key independent tax software providers for the 2025 tax season. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Pathward has completed all partnership agreements with key independent tax software providers for the 2025 tax season. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Pathward’s network of partners include large independent software companies that work with tax professionals across the U.S., including:

CrossLink Professional Tax Solutions

Drake Software

Intuit

MyTAXPrepOffice

OLTPro

ProTaxPro.com

TaxSlayer Pro

Taxware Systems

Thomson Reuters

Wolters Kluwer TaxWise®

Included among the tax partnerships agreements is the completion of a three-year extension of Pathward’s partnership with Drake Software. Pathward is working with all partners to expand the industry by offering a unique suite of Pay by Refund programs that foster financial access that enable tax filers to pay for tax preparation fees with their refund proceeds, while simplifying the payment process for tax professionals.

There were 161 million individual 1040 tax returns filed in 2024, with 85 million filed electronically by tax preparation professionals, according to the IRS. Of that total, 103 million tax refunds are processed, representing $310 billion. Through Pathward’s partnership deals, it supports thousands of independent tax professionals in providing payment products that process billions of dollars in tax refunds each year.

“Our ongoing, strong relationships with all of our tax software partners underscore Pathward’s commitment to advancing inclusion and contribute to our collective success,” said Michael Lister, Division President of Pathward’s Tax strategic business line. “We are proud to provide increased financial access for consumers to professional tax preparation through a vast network of independent tax professionals throughout the U.S.”

Learn more about Pathward’s Tax Solutions.

About Pathward®

Pathward®, N.A., a national bank, is a subsidiary of Pathward Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CASH). Pathward is a U.S.-based financial empowerment company driven by its purpose to power financial inclusion. Pathward strives to increase financial availability, choice and opportunity across our Partner Solutions and Commercial Finance business lines. The strategic business lines provide support to individuals and businesses. Learn more at Pathward.com.

Contacts

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.