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How to create a consolidated corporate return in Lacerte

by Intuit•2• Updated 4 months ago

To create a consolidated return within Lacerte, you'll need to create a minimum of three client files:

  • The consolidator
  • The parent return
  • The subsidiary return(s)

Preparing the subsidiary and parent returns

Start by creating and preparing the subsidiary and parent returns as you would a normal corporation. Each return will need to be created and finalized for the calculation on the consolidator to be correct. 

Follow these steps to mark the parent return and each subsidiary as part of a consolidated return:

  1. Go to Screen 3.3, Consolidated Information.
  2. Select Consolidated Miscellaneous from the left navigation panel.
  3. Scroll down to the Corporations Included in Consolidated Return section.
  4. Check the box labeled This corporation is included in consolidated return.

All other information specific to the consolidated entity, including the affiliations schedule, will be entered on the consolidator return next.

Creating and setting up the consolidator

The consolidator only needs to be created in the first year that the return is prepared. It'll proforma to next year's program.

Follow these steps to create and set up the consolidator:

  1. Go to the Clients tab.
  2. From the Client menu, select Add.
  3. Enter a client number to add and click OK.
  4. Go to Screen 1, Client Information.
  5. Complete the necessary information about the corporation under the Name and ID Number section and the Address and Telephone section.
    • This should be the same information as the parent return.
  6. Scroll down to the Miscellaneous Info section.
  7. Check the box labeled Consolidator?
    • The Consolidator? box will be grayed out if states are added to the return that don't have a consolidated return, or where Lacerte doesn't support a consolidated return. See the "Which states does Lacerte support for consolidated returns?" section of this article below for more information.
  8. Go to Screen 3, Consolidated Information.
  9. Locate Corporation Name column from the grid at the top of the screen.
  10. Select the Parent company using the dropdown list.

lacerte-consolidated-return.png

  1. Click the Add button on the left navigation panel.
  2. Locate the Corporation Name column in the grid at the top of the screen.
  3. Select one of the subsidiary companies using the dropdown list.
  4. Repeat steps 11-13 for each subsidiary.

Don't add the consolidator to this screen. Only the common parent and subsidiaries should be entered to avoid errors when calculating the return.

The Consolidator? checkbox is unavailable whenever a state that Lacerte doesn't consolidate has been added to the return. The following states are supported for consolidated or combined filing in Lacerte:

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Oregon
  • Wisconsin

These states have limited consolidating or combining functionality:

  • Idaho
  • Kentucky
  • New Mexico
  • Virginia

There are additional states that allow consolidation that Lacerte doesn't currently support.

Some states require the parent and all subsidiaries be included on the state consolidated filing, while others require filing based on unitary group statuses. Refer to your state's website for requirements concerning the filing of consolidated or combined returns to learn which corporations should be included.

Follow these steps to generate state consolidated returns:

  1. For the parent and each subsidiary client file that should be included on the state return, make sure the appropriate state has been added on Screen 1, Client Information.
  2. In the consolidator client file, make sure the appropriate state has been added to Screen 1, Client Information.
  3. In the consolidator return, use Screen 53, Consolidated Information to set up the state consolidation.
    • Make sure to enter the parent client first on Screen 53, as you did on the federal affiliations schedule (Screen 3.1).

To e-file a Form 1120 Consolidated return:

  1. Go to Screen 1, Client Information in each of the Parent and Subsidiary client files.
  2. Locate the Electronic Return section.
  3. Check the box Federal. (If not already checked)
  4. Clear any Critical or Fatal E-file Diagnostics warnings on each Parent and Subsidiary return.
  5. Go into the Consolidator.
  6. Go to Screen 1, Client Information.
  7. Locate the Electronic Return section.
  8. Check the box Federal. (If not already checked)
  9. Clear any Critical or Fatal E-file Diagnostic warnings on the Consolidator.
  10. Click on the Clients tab.
  11. Highlight the Consolidator return.
  12. Click on E-File.
  13. Select Step 2: Start e-file Return Wizard.
  14. Follow the steps in the Electronic Filing Wizard to Validate and Send the return.

Additional considerations

  • Avoid overrides on the parent and subsidiary returns. If an override is made on either the parent or subsidiary, it will pull through to the consolidator and will also need to be overridden on the consolidator client.
  • Unless an unlimited consolidated return license was purchased, the consolidator will always require REP (Remote Entry Processing) connection in order to calculate the return.
  • If using Lacerte on an REP basis, REP access must be granted on the parent return and each subsidiary return tied to the consolidator.
  • Input on Screen 3.1, Affiliations Schedule (851) and Screen 3.2, Consolidated Eliminations should only be done on the consolidator client.
  1. From the Settings menu, select Options.
  2. Select the Display tab.
  3. Locate the Available section.
  4. Click on the plus sign (+) next to Client Information to expand that section.
  5. Double-click on Consolidator to move it over to the Display section.

Lacerte will add a Consolidator column to your corporate clients list and place a checkmark in the column for any client who's indicated as a consolidator on Screen 1.

  • A consolidator cannot be one of the companies listed in Screen 3.1, Affiliations Schedule.
  • Lacerte cannot process sub-consolidations (a consolidated group with another consolidated group as a member). In this case, the program will generate a calc error.
  • Only the consolidator can have data in Screens 3.1, & 3.2. If any other files have data in these screens, the results can be skewed. However Screen 3.3, Consolidated Miscellaneous, is to be filled in at the individual subsidiary level.
  • Incorrect results will be generated from the program if any single input or calculated value exceeds $2,147,483,647. Amounts will appear as large negative numbers on forms with no other indication of any problem (no error message or diagnostic is generated).
  • Lacerte program does not do insurance company returns.
  • The Consolidator file itself cannot be locked however the Parent and Subsidiary files can
Lacerte Tax 2023

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