Intuit HelpIntuitHow to download and install Lacerte prep files
by Intuit•29• Updated 1 week ago
Stay up to date on what's current! Check out Lacerte Hot Topics and bookmark it using Ctrl+D.
Before you start:
- 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 2020 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.
Table of contents:
What is a Prep File?
- Stores your firm’s name, address, and purchased products.
- Updates automatically within 24 hours when firm info or products change.
- Can be downloaded directly in Lacerte or through MyAccount.
Important Notes for Prior-Year “Unlocked” REP Files
- EFIN/EIN not updated: Older years don’t support automatic updates because they are no longer e-file eligible.
- Generic firm info prints: Returns will show blank firm details; you must add them manually after printing.
- Connection errors: If REP is requested for unlocked years with multiple Fast Path users, you may see errors due to retired services.
- Unlocked prep files for these years only allow one user access.
Prep File info by year
2020–2024:
- Download from MyAccount and in-program
- Unlocked REP? No
- Generic Firm Info? No.
2016–2019:
- Download from MyAccount only
- Unlocked REP? Yes
- Generic Firm Info: Yes.
2015 and prior:
- Download from MyAccount as Older Prep Files (.zip);
- Unlocked REP: Yes;
- Generic Firm Info: Yes.
- 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.
To install prep files within Lacerte:
- Open the current year Lacerte program.
- From the Settings menu, choose Update Preparer Information.
- Select Download Prep File.
- Wait for the status window to open and finish downloading.
- Select Update My Program Now (Recommended), then select OK.
- 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).
- Select OK.
- You'll be asked to set a primary password if you have a network license. Select No to ignore.
- Select the radio button before I accept the agreement, and select OK.
- Select Yes when prompted to quit Lacerte.
- Open Lacerte.
- A prep file verification window will appear. Make sure the information is correct, and then select Continue.
Downloading Prep Files from MyAccount 2015–Present:
- Close Lacerte.
- Sign in to MyAccount.
- 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.
- Select Save, then select Open folder.
- Locate the prep.YY file for the tax year you need.
- For example, to install a 2018 prep file, locate prep.18
- Right-click the prep.YY file, then select Copy.
- Browse to the following 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\
- For a new install of a prior year, browse to C:\Lacerte\YYtax\
- Right-click and paste the prep.YY file into the YYtax or OptionYY folder.
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, see here to learn how to use role management.
Downloading Prep Files from MyAccount 1990 to 2015:
- Sign in to MyAccount.
- From your dashboard, select Previous Years.
- Select Older Prep Files from 1990 to 2015(.zip).
- Select Save, then Open folder.
- Double-click the zip file you downloaded to open it.
- Select Extract all.
- Select a destination you can easily find, like your desktop. Select Extract.
- 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.
- Right-click the prep.YY file, then select Copy.
- 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.
- Right-click and Paste the prep file into the C:\Lacerte\YYtax folder.
When 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.
Something went wrong with my Prep File Download
If you can’t download the current year prep file:
- Check your Fast Path subscription:
- Fast Path is your annual license that unlocks current-year program access.
- It expires on December 31 each year and must be renewed for continued downloads.
- In MyAccount, go to Products & Services → look for a current-year Fast Path listed under your assets.
- If Fast Path isn’t listed:
- Renew it in MyAccount to restore access.
- Once renewed, try downloading the prep file again.
To learn more about Fast Path and how to renew it, see Understanding Lacerte Fast Path
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
More like this
