How to resolve a Prep file not found error with the Lacerte Tax Planner

This article will help you resolve the following error when opening Lacerte Tax Planner, both in standard installations (Standalone/Network) as well for those using Intuit Hosting:

"Prep file not found (PREP.YY). Please refer to the 20YY Users Guide."

This article uses YY to reference the tax year in 20YY format.

Note: The location of the Lacerte Tax Planner prep file (PREP.YY) depends on the tax year of the Planner:

For 2023 Tax Planner and prior: The prep file is located in the Data folder.

For 2024 Tax Planner and subsequent years: The prep file is located in the OPTIONS folder.

To resolve this error on standalone/network installations:

This error occurs when the Lacerte Tax Planner prep file isn't installed in the correct directory. You can resolve it by copying the year-appropriate prep file into:  

• For 2023 Tax Planner and prior:
  • C:\Lacerte\YYtaxpln\Data (standalone)
  • X:\Lacerte\YYtaxpln\Data (network - replace X: with your network drive letter)
• For 2024 Tax Planner and subsequent years:
  • C:\Lacerte\YYtaxpln\OPTIONS (standalone)
  • X:\Lacerte\YYtaxpln\OPTIONS (network - replace X: with your network drive letter)

Repeating this for each affected user.

1. Download the prep file from your Intuit My Account dashboard, or copy it from where it's saved for the Lacerte tax program at:
   • C:\Lacerte\YYtax\OptionYY (standalone)
   • X:\Lacerte\YYtax\OptionYY (network)
     • You can use Ctrl+C (keyboard shortcuts work by default in the hosted environment when it's maximized) or select the Home tab in File Explorer and use the Copy button.
2. Open File Explorer.
3. Select This PC from the left column, then browse to:
   • For 2023 Tax Planner and prior:
     • C:\Lacerte\YYtaxpln\Data (standalone)
     • X:\Lacerte\YYtaxpln\Data (network - replace X: with your network drive letter)
   • For 2024 Tax Planner and subsequent years:
     • C:\Lacerte\YYtaxpln\OPTIONS (standalone)
     • X:\Lacerte\YYtaxpln\OPTIONS (network - replace X: with your network drive letter)
   • If you can't see the Settings folder, select the View tab and check the box for Hidden items.
     
4. Paste the prep.YY file inside the Data folder.
   • You can use Ctrl+V or select the Home tab in File Explorer and use the Paste button.