How can I fix proforma error "Exception occurred in the tax engine"?

[bcardenas]

I started doing the proforma from 2018 Lacerte to 2019.  Most clients did proforma, but for several dozen I received the error "Exception occurred in the tax engine."  The Diagnostic Report says "Failed to transfer. Please verify that client forms can be viewed in 18TAX then retry."  I did verify that the client forms can be viewed.  I restarted my computer at least 3 times, and I reinstalled Lacerte.  Nothing has corrected this error.  What else should I do?

[itonewbie · Accepted solution]

You seem to have done what others had suggested for similar issues.  Unless there are some pressing reasons why you must run the proforma now, it's best to wait until at least early next year for Intuit to iron out some of the kinks in their early releases.

[itonewbie]

If you must, perhaps try calling technical support to see if they could help?

[kgreen8393]

Every Year I have some files that will not proforma with a similar error message.  The only way to proforma was to unlock the files and then proforma.  For these files, I usually copy the file first, then unlock and proforma.

[bcardenas]

kgreen8393:  THANK YOU!!!  I just tried one and it worked.  

[abctax55]

I will re-emphasize what Jensen said.

Do NOT proforma yet !!!!!   It is too early, this is the first release, there WILL be updates to fix errors.  Hell, it's actually the second release as the first one was "recalled" within 24 hours.

IF you have a client that you just must start working on 2019 (say, projections?), proforma just that one.  And be prepared to do it over when software is eventually ready for prime time.

[asuihkonen]

I recently had the same problem, most of my fiduciary returns would not transfer to 2019 and I received the same message.  All of my fiduciary returns were "Locked", when I unlocked them I was able to transfer them to 2019. I was very strange that some of them (maybe 20%) transferred even in the locked position.  I hope this helps you.

[pmr]

I have had the same problem and found that unlocking will make it work. But the whole point of locking the returns is to make sure what got e-filed stays the same and transfers over to next year properly. So unlocking the returns can change the data and defeat the whole purpose of locking them.

[abctax55]

Unlocking won't change anything unless you actually open the file.  So, unlock, transfer, re-lock.

[JOEPCPA]

I'm having the same problem - what do you mean by unlock? Remove password?

Thanks

[Roxana]

Thank you. I had the same issue. I unlocked and it transferred. 

[Liz3]

I am having the same problem with one partnership return.  However, the file is not locked so this solution doesn't help me.  I tried copying the file and transferring the copy and that didn't work either.  All other returns transferred to 2019 with no issues.  Any other solutions out there to help me?

[JOEPCPA]

I had the same exact problem. I tried tech support but they were useless. I realized I was wasting my time trying to get it to work. I made a copy of the 2017 file with a different name. I did proforma to 2018, then I input my 2018 transactions so new file matched actual tax return. I then proforma that new file to 2019 and it worked. It's not the perfect solution but it was quicker than creating completely new file. Hope it helps.

[mclaugdk]

Reasons a client file will not proforma - Intuit Accountants Community