This is a comment about the Lacerte tax program.

[kweinsteincpa]

 It is my opinion that the program should WARN the preparer if the tax return was previously e-filed so that changes can NOT be made after the return is e-filed.  Every other tax program I have ever worked with would NOT allow changes after e-file, Lacerte does and this needs to be changed!!  We pay a lot of money for this software.  I don't want to hear that we should lock the tax return after e-filing as this depends on people to lock the tax return.  There absolutely needs to be a warning that the return has already been e-filed.

[IRonMaN]

What kind of warning are you looking for?  A message that comes across the screen or do you want sirens going off to sound the alert?  I think the purpose of locking the return is to prevent things like that happening.  You don't like the idea of locking but I'm guessing that is all Lacerte is going to provide you with.

[kweinsteincpa]

I used to work with ATX software and a warning would pop up on the screen if the file had already been e-filed.  I don't think it's a ridiculous expectation.  People get busy during tax season and sometimes forget to lock the returns.  Perhaps a software change would be a better solution.  Oh and sirens really?  Not a helpful comment.

[IRonMaN]

So every other software that you worked with consists of ATX?  Why did you switch to Lacerte if that feature was critical to your practice?

[kweinsteincpa]

I worked for a different company that used ATX, this practice uses Lacerte.  

[George4Tacks]

The lock function is what would give the warning. After the return is e-filed - LOCK IT!

https://accountants-community.intuit.com/articles/1860047-locking-and-unlocking-tax-returns

[abctax55]

"Every other tax program I have ever worked with would NOT allow changes after e-file"

How would one go about amending a return then?

[kweinsteincpa]

You would have to go into the return and check to amend and it would create a new filing with the old info so that an amendment could be completed.  The point is there should be something that pops up and tells you that the return has already been e-filed

[George4Tacks]

Unfortunately you made the comment to other users. If you want to add it to the "It would be nice to have this feature" list, use Help > Lacerte Feedback 

[IRonMaN]

Or you could just lock the returns :laughing:

[George4Tacks]

Yeah, but where is the fun in that. Far better to add it to the "Ignore until you die" list that Lacerte has for improvements.