Why am I being charged to print a state return in Lacerte?

Depending on your purchased Lacerte package, there are several scenarios where you may be charged to print a state or city return. This article will help you understand when those charges are correct, and what to do if they aren't correct.

Table of contents:

Check to see what states are attached to the return:

It's easy to attach the wrong state or city to a return. If you are not unlimited for that state or city, this would ask you to pay when viewing forms or printing.

To view the states attached:

1. Go to Screen 1 Client Information.
2. Review the states listed under Returns on the left side of the screen.
3. The list shown are the states and cities attached to the return. Each state/city listed would be a separate REP charge if you are not unlimited for that return type.
4. To remove any un-needed states/cities, select the state/city on the list and choose Delete.

When trying to allocate income to Federal on a return with multiple states, but one of the states is a non-taxing state (as Florida, for example), the option in the allocation fields, or the Assign Entries To: field at the top of the screen does not give the option for Federal to be selected see How to allocate amounts on a multi-state individual return (Form 1040) in Lacerte

Back to Table of Contents

Check to see if you've exceeded your package:

Some purchase bundles have a set limit of returns you can process as part of your bundle. If you exceed that limit any new returns would be pay-per-return for the federal and any states attached. This would include Lacerte Choice bundles.

When you are on a bundle license it's important to have all state/city returns added to the return before you authorize the return. If you add a state/city after you've reached your bundle limit the newly added state/city would require REP payment, even if the federal was already authorized.

To check your usage details:

1. When you open Lacerte your choice counter will show in the upper right corner.
2. To update the counter use the Refresh button.

What may cause a return to use more then one credit?

• If you change the SSN or EIN, taxpayer or entity name on the return the program may see this as a second return and count this return twice.
• If you create a duplicate copy of the return, change the firm number, or change the client number.
• For more information about duplicate charges, including requesting refunds, see Avoiding duplicate REP charges in Lacerte

Back to Table of Contents

Check to see if you have selected the right states when making your yearly purchase:

To check your state selections if you purchased an unlimited state as an addition to any product package:

1. From the Help menu, select Troubleshoot.
2. Select the License Information tab.
3. Scroll down to the States section.
4. If your state purchase is not showing in the list you may need to download a new prep file to show the purchase. See How to download and install Lacerte prep files for details.
5. If the state/city still doesn't show contact Customer Service to review your order.

Back to Table of Contents