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How to download and install Lacerte prep files

SOLVED•by Intuit•94•Updated 2 weeks ago

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The prep file tells your Lacerte program what name and address to print on tax returns, as well as which products you’ve purchased. When you make changes to your firm information or add products in My Account, 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.

Install prep files for recent years

You can download and install prep files for 2018-2023 directly through your Lacerte program, or online from My Account.

Prep files for 2016 and 2017 Lacerte are only available on My Account.

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. A status window will appear. Wait for it to finish.
  5. Select Update My Program Now (Recommended), then click OK.
  6. Check the box next to the tax year prep file needed and enter the data path where the program is installed (if not already generating).
  7. Click OK.
    • You'll be asked to set a primary password if you have a network license. Click No to ignore.
  8. Select the radio button next to I accept the agreement, and click OK.
  9. Click 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 click Continue.
  1. Close Lacerte.
  2. Sign in to My Account.
  3. From your dashboard, click Download Prep File for the current year file. Or click Previous Years.
    • Select the appropriate year from the dropdown menu, then click Prep File.
  4. Click Save, then click 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 installation folder: C:\Lacerte\YYtax.
    • For example, if you're installing a prep file for the 2018 program, browse to C:\Lacerte\18tax.
    • Create a new folder if it doesn't already exist.
  8. Right-click and Paste the prep file into the C:\Lacerte\YYtax 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. Close Lacerte.
  2. Sign in to My Account.
  3. From your dashboard, click Download Prep File for the current year file. Or click Previous Years.
    • Select the appropriate year from the dropdown menu, then click Prep File. This method is the only way to download a 2016 or 2017 prep file.
  4. Click Save, then click Open folder.
  5. Locate the prep.YY file for the tax year you need.
    • For example, to install a 2017 prep file, locate prep.17
  6. Right-click the prep.YY file, then select Copy.
  7. Browse to the installation folder: C:\Lacerte\YYtax.
    • For example, if you're installing a prep file for the 2017 program, browse to C:\Lacerte\17tax.
    • Create a new folder if it doesn't already exist.
  8. Right-click and Paste the prep file into the C:\Lacerte\YYtax folder.
  1. Sign in to My Account.
  2. From your dashboard, click Previous Years.
  3. Select Older Prep Files back to 1990 (.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.

My Account supports 5 years of prep files. This means that firm information will be blank for 2015 and earlier years, and REP fees won't be charged for 2017 and earlier years. For example, when you prepare a return in Lacerte 2015, you can print the return for free. Since your firm information won't print on the return, you'll need to use a stamp or write your firm information onto the printed forms.

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