ProConnect HelpIntuit HelpIntuit

How to download and install Lacerte prep files

by Intuit•26• Updated 3 days ago

Stay up to date on what's current! Check out Lacerte Hot Topics and bookmark it using Ctrl+D.

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 tax years where the REP (Remote Entry Processing) is 'Unlocked,' meaning you will not be charged for printing, the firm's EFIN (Electronic Filing Identification Number) and EIN (Employer Identification Number) will not be automatically updated through the prep file. This is because these older tax years (2019 and prior) are generally too old for electronic filing, and EFINs and EINs are primarily used for e-filing purposes.

Additionally, for these unlocked prior years (2015 and prior, and 2016-2019), the program will print returns with "Generic Firm Info," meaning your specific firm details will be blank on the printed return and would need to be manually added after printing. The firm's EFIN and EIN information does not appear on these printed returns."

How to install prep files for a specific year:

Tax YearCan be downloaded from MyAccountCan be download from the programUnlocked REPGeneric Firm Info
2020-2024YesYesNoNo
2016-2010YesNoYesNo
2015 and priorYes as Older Prep FilesNoYesYes
  • Lacerte only charges REP fees for the most current years of Lacerte 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.
  • Each unlocked Prep file will have one seat.
  • 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.
  • To complete the steps in this article, your Windows User Profile will need to have Admin Access to the computer to download, extract and install the file.
  • 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. Wait for the status window to open and finish downloading.
  5. Select Update My Program Now (Recommended), then select 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. Select OK.
    • You'll be asked to set a primary password if you have a network license. Select No to ignore.
  8. Select the radio button before I accept the agreement, and click OK.
  9. Selectr 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 select Continue.
  1. Close Lacerte.
  2. Sign in to My Account.
  3. From your dashboard, select Download Prep File for the current year file. Or select Previous Years.
    • Select the appropriate year from the dropdown menu, then select Prep File.
  4. Select Save, then select 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.

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

Related topics

Lacerte Tax

Sign in now for personalized help

Ask questions, get answers, and join our large community of Intuit Accountants users.

Dynamic AdsDynamic Ads