Troubleshooting Lacerte diagnostic ref. 4509 - Paid preparer information is missing

The following diagnostic is generating in the Individual module of Lacerte:

• e-file: Paid Preparer information is missing.  Every return must be assigned a preparer. (ref. #4509)

This diagnostic generates because there is no ERO PIN entered on the Preparer Information window in the Options menu.

Follow these steps to resolve this diagnostic:

1. From the Settings menu, select Options.
2. Go to the Preparers tab.
3. Double click on the name of the preparer entered as Paid Preparer in the client file generating the diagnostic.
   • This will open the Preparer Information window.
4. Enter a five-digit number of any combination in the ERO PIN field.
   • The IRS mandates that an ERO PIN can't be all zeros.
5. Click OK.
6. Click OK again.
7. Go to the Diagnostics tab.
8. Make sure that the diagnostic is no longer generating.