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How to download and install Lacerte prep files

by Intuit•8• Updated 4 weeks ago

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The prep file tells your Lacerte program what name and address to print on tax returns and which products you’ve purchased. When you change your firm information or add products, your prep file is updated within 24 hours. After that, you can download your updated prep file directly in Lacerte or online through My Account.

For more Print & PDF resources, check out our Troubleshooting page for Print & PDF where you'll find answers to the most commonly asked questions.

To determine how to install prep files for a specific year see the chart below:

Tax YearCan be downloaded from MyAccountCan be download from the programUnlocked REPGeneric Firm Info
2020-2024YesYesNoNo
2016-2019YesNoYesNo
2015 and priorYes as Older Prep FilesNoYesYes
  • Lacerte only charges REP fees for the most current years of Lacerte shown on the chart above. For years with Unlocked REP showing Yes, you won't be charged to print from that year. If your program is still trying to charge REP fees install a new Prep File.
  • Years 2015 and prior will print with a Generic Firm Info meaning the Firm Information will be blank and needs to be added to the return after the return is printed.
  • This article references default installation paths and uses YY to reference the tax year in 20YY format. C: will always indicate the local drive and X: will always indicate the network drive.

Follow these steps to install prep files within the program:

  1. Open the current year Lacerte program.
  2. From the Settings menu, choose Update Preparer Information.
  3. Select Download Prep File.
  4. A status window will appear. Wait for it to finish.
  5. Select Update My Program Now (Recommended), then click OK.
  6. Check the box next to the tax year prep file needed and enter the data path where the program is installed (if it is not already generated).
  7. Click OK.
    • You'll be asked to set a primary password if you have a network license. Click No to ignore.
  8. Select the radio button before I accept the agreement, and click OK.
  9. Click Yes when prompted to quit Lacerte.
  10. Open Lacerte.
  11. A prep file verification window will appear. Make sure the information is correct, and then click Continue.
  1. Close Lacerte.
  2. Sign in to My Account.
  3. From your dashboard, click Download Prep File for the current year file. Or click Previous Years.
    • Select the appropriate year from the dropdown menu, then click Prep File.
  4. Click Save, then click Open folder.
  5. Locate the prep.YY file for the tax year you need.
    • For example, to install a 2018 prep file, locate prep.18
  6. Right-click the prep.YY file, then select Copy.
  7. Browse to the follow location:
    • For a new install of a prior year, browse to C:\Lacerte\YYtax\
      • Create a new folder if it doesn't already exist
    • For an existing standalone install, browse to C:\Lacerte\YYtax\OptionYY\
    • For an existing network install, browse to X:\Lacerte\YYtax\OptionYY\
  8. Right-click and paste the prep.YY file into the YYtax or OptionYY folder.

I'm not seeing the downloads page

If you don't see the downloads page on MyAccount, you've likely defaulted to a Learn & Support role. Your firm administrator will need to update your role to Employee so you'll have the minimum permissions required. If you're a firm administrator, click here to see how to use role management.

  1. Sign in to My Account.
  2. From your dashboard, click Previous Years.
  3. Select Older Prep Files from 1990 to 2015(.zip).
  4. Click Save, then click Open folder.
  5. Double-click the zip file you downloaded to open it.
  6. Click Extract all.
  7. Select a destination you can easily find, like your desktop. Click Extract.
  8. Open the destination folder and locate the prep.YY file for the tax year you need.
    • For example, to install a 2014 prep file, locate prep.14.
  9. Right-click the prep.YY file, then press Copy.
  10. Browse to the program installation directory, C:\Lacerte\YYtax.
    • For example, if you're installing a prep file for the 2014 program, browse to C:\Lacerte\14tax.
    • Create a new folder if it doesn't already exist.
  11. Right click and Paste the prep file into the C:\Lacerte\YYtax folder.

Note: One you install the Older Prep Files from 1990 to 2015.ZIP the firm information will be blank and must be entered after printing the return.

Related topics

Lacerte Tax 2018Lacerte Tax 2019

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