How to Generate an Estimate Worksheet in Lacerte

Lacerte generates the Federal Estimated Tax Worksheet when a future year Estimate Option is selected:

1. Go to Screen 7.1, 2026 Estimates (1040 ES).
2. Verify option 7 is selected in the field Estimate options (Ctrl+T)[O] (code 14). Other options will calculate estimates but will suppress the Federal Estimated Tax worksheet.
   • Current Year Refund - if the current year is calculating a refund, the estimates will not generate unless an override is entered or adjustments have been entered in the Federal Estimated Tax Worksheet section, to reflect these changes.
   • Current Year Amount Due - if the current year is calculating an amount due, the estimates will generate using a current tax year selection.

Dropdown examples

• 1=100/110% of 2025 tax (using the current tax year information)
• 2=Lesser of 90% of 2026 or 100/110% of 2025 tax (using both current and next year information)
• 3=Greater of 90% of 2026 or 100/110% of 2025 tax (using both current and next year information)
• 4=90% of 2026 tax (using next year's information)
• 5=Lesser of 100% of 2026 tax or 100/110% of 2025 tax (using both current and next year information)
• 6=Greater of 100% of 2026 tax or 100/110% of 2025 tax (using both current and next year information)
• 7=100% of 2026 tax (using next year's information)
• 8=Print blank estimates
• 9=Suppress estimates and ES Worksheets
• 10=Suppress estimates/print ES Worksheet

Methods

There are two methods available when using the federal estimated tax worksheet to generate the next year's estimated tax payments.

Simple method

When using the simple method, only two entries are considered: Adjusted gross income and Allowed itemized deductions.  They are both entered as overrides on Screen 7.1, codes 58 and 59.

Expanded method

Using the expanded method modifies the taxpayers' income and expenses for the current year.   Each input field has either an [O] or an [A] which indicates whether the amount will override the current year amount or adjust it.   Entering a number with an [A] will either add or subtract from the current year amount.