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How to password protect PDFs in Lacerte
by Intuit•2• Updated 5 months ago
Starting in tax year 2019, Lacerte added the ability to password protect PDF tax returns.
For more Print & PDF resources, check out our Troubleshooting page for Print & PDF where you'll find answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Generate a password-protected PDF:
- Select a return on your Client list.
- Use Ctrl + P on your keyboard, or go to the Print menu and select Tax Return.
- Select File (PDF), Document Management System (DMS), or SmartVault for the return type you need to print.
- Check the box labeled Password Protect PDF.
- Select OK to print the return.
View or change the password protection options:
- Press Ctrl + O on your keyboard, or go to the Settings menu and click Options.
- Select the Setup tab.
- Scroll down to the PDF Password Options section.
- Check the box next to Identification number or Zip code, or check both.
- Lacerte will generate a password based on the component(s) you choose here.
- Press OK to save your changes.
What password does the client use to unlock the file?
The default password is a combination of the last four digits of their SSN or EIN, plus their five-digit ZIP code.