Speed of Forms Release
In tax year 2017, we delivered 310 more forms by early February than in 2016. Our goal this year is to deliver forms as fast as possible and we are working hard to beat our release speed from last year.

Product Release Improvements
Throughout tax year 2017, we minimized unplanned releases and now publish a release schedule. Planned releases in season are now limited to twice a month for software updates and twice a week for general tax content. In 2018 and beyond, we are planning on releasing more improvements to further streamline the update process and minimize disruptions.

Network Installation Improvements
Over the past year, we released instructions on options and settings to minimize interruptions to your workflow and calls to your IT team. You can also access guidance and tutorials on network installation configurations to optimize your performance.

Watermark On Client Copies
Printed, non-agency filing pages of client copies like client engagement letters, tax summaries and slip sheets will no longer contain a “DO NOT MAIL” watermark.

My Account
Many improvements have already been made to help you manage users from your personal dashboard, make REP payments, view transaction history and update payment methods without having to call. Stay tuned for more My Account improvements coming in tax year 2018.

Security Leadership
Last year, Lacerte led with optional authentication before e-file transmission and the option to assign a different password for each client file. This year, we will provide more training to help you keep client data safe.

Complex and Multi-State Returns
New updates for 2017:

• 20 percent faster calculations and uploads for many workflows using large data sources.
• Tutorials on printing two files in a batch, speeding up data input and print constraints.
• Inclusion of state K-1 withholding forms in the K-1 package.

Updates for tax year 2018 and beyond:
We are updating the system for the management of partner ownership data, simplifying the input and reconciliation involved in the transfer of partnership interests.

Staff Preparer Filter
Launched in February, this feature is highly requested from larger firms where multiple preparers may work on a return. If multiple preparers are working on the same return, this tool will help manage workflow across staff with the filter zeroing in on what’s needed in the “Clients” tab.

Support for More Than 22 Cities
We are simplifying the process of filing a return that crosses more than 22 cities. You can expect improvements to our handling of returns with a large number of cities for states such as MI, OH, PA and KY, which previously required hours of manual data entry.

Personalized Training Portal
New features slated for 2018 include “Search” and “Filter” capabilities that allow you to quickly find desired topics. We also plan to add text transcription to video training modules for those that prefer to read and not watch videos.

Closed Loop Research Process
Now, when you report a problem to the Lacerte support team, you will receive an update to let you know the issue has been resolved. Or, you can view the top-submitted defects on our new community page and sign up for updates without having to call.