18202: Setup Options Overview

You can customize Drake Tax by going to Setup > Options and selecting from the options on the available tabs. Note that some options vary depending on the year of Drake Tax being used and your preparer security settings/rights.  

Data Entry tab

• When possible, make data entry screen text smaller to minimize or eliminate scrolling - see KB 13193 and 16426
• Tab to ZIP code field (skip city/state and use ZIP code database)
• Show notes/reminders to preparer when opening a return - see KB 12486
• Verify SSN when creating new return
• Enable Windows standard keystrokes - see KB 12130
• Autofill preparer and firm number on new returns
• Magnify data entry - see KB 11578
• Activate W-2 wage and withholding verification fields - see KB 10932
• Do not restrict minimum font size in 800x600
• Use grid data entry format on available screens - see KBs 11505, 13144, and 13127
• Enable Data Entry toolbar - see KB 14287
• Disable TaxBook Research links - see KB 16943
• Language Options (English or Español) - see KB 15020
  • Menus and data entry screens
  • Field-specific help in data entry (1040 only)
  • Notes and Error Codes (1040 only)
• Letter case for data entry (upper case or mixed case) - see KB 16990
• Display warning for missing required field

Calculation & View/Print tab

• Auto-calculate tax return when exiting data entry - see KB 14201
• Display client fee on Calculation screen - see KB 11865
• Print only one overflow statement per page - see KB 13251
• Go directly to form when accessing View or data entry mode
• Audible notification of calculation error messages - see KB 11692
• Mask SSN, EFIN, PTIN on Client and Preparer sets - see KB 14304
  • Do not mask last 4 digits of SSN
  • Do not mask depositor account number on Form 1040
  • See KB 14876 for additional masking options available in view mode. 
• Turn off auto-balance of the balance sheet
• Elect to claim FTC without filing Form 1116 when possible - see KB 17563
• Layout for depreciation schedule
• Pause option for calculation - see KB 11692
• Number of days to store print files - see KB 10379
• Print sort options for Interest/Dividends

Form & Schedule Options tab

• Print Schedule A only when required
• Print Schedule B only when required
• Print Schedule 4562 only when required
• Print Schedule 6251 only when required
• Next-year depreciation schedule - see KB 11423
• W-2/1099 forms
  • Print two W-2/1099-Rs per page - see KB 11386.
• Carryover Worksheet - see KBs 10863 and 14073
• Print page 2 of Schedule K-1 for 1041 and K-1 codes for 1120S and 1065 - see KB 11677
• Print ES vouchers only when screen ES indicates - see KBs 10824 and 14487
• Always show reason for no EIC - see KB 10886
• Always show tax computation worksheet - see KB 10298
• Print shareholder's/partner's adjusted basis worksheet - see KB 12275
• 1040-SR Suppress drop list - see KB 16444
• Form 8879 bank account options - see KB 10475
• W-2 list if greater than __
• W-2G list if greater than __
• 1099-M list if greater than __
• 1099-NEC list if greater than __
• 1099-R list if greater than __
• Federal Withholding Summary - see KB 14288
• List of Dividends and Interest if more than __
• K-1 list (bus. returns only) if greater than __

Optional Documents tab

• Folder coversheet
• Prior year(s) comparison form - see KBs 10855 and 18435
• Return summary
• Bill summary
• Labels
• Taxpayer address drop list
  • Do not print taxpayer envelope sheet with organizer
• IRS service center address
• State address
• City address
• K-1 address
• Firm address
• Do not print firm envelope sheet with organizer
• Estimated payment coversheet

Optional Items on Return tab

• Date on return - see KB 10633
  • Print dates for taxpayer and spouse signatures (excludes 1040)
• Taxpayer phone number - see KB 10209
• Taxpayer email address
• Automatically calculate penalties and interest on returns filed after the due date. Drake Software automatically updates quarterly interest rates when needed. See KB 12085
• Third party designee drop list - see KB 10820

Client Communications tab

• Letter selection by return type - see KBs 10569 and 12697
• Include privacy letter with returns - see KB 11625
• Include engagement letter with returns - see KB 14161
• Include customized supplemental letter with returns - see KB 14869
• Include K-1 letter with returns - see KB 10980
• K-1 Letterhead options
• Filing Instructions options - see KB 11208
  • Federal
  • State
  • Print filing instructions for federal Forms 8878 and 8879
• Use paper-filing information for federal and state letters and filing instructions - see KB 16438
• Referral Coupons (3 per sheet) - see KB 12159
  • Sheets per return
  • Coupon Amount
  • Do not print referral coupons with organizer

Billing tab - see KB 13392

• Select Bill format
• Show preparer fees withheld from bank product - see KB 11865 for fee details.
• State sales tax
• Local sales tax
• Billing statement format - see KB 13939
• Header on bill
• Print taxpayer's phone number on the bill
• Print taxpayer's email address on the bill
• Custom Paragraph options

States tab

• Choose a state for state-specific options.

EF tab

• Auto-generate taxpayer(s) PIN (1040 only) - see KB 13284
• Require "Ready for EF" indicator on EF screen - see KB 10398
• Lock client data file after EF acceptance - see KB 12280
• Print 9325 when eligible for EF - see KB 10847
• Suppress federal EF - see KB 10081 for additional options for suppressing EF.
• Print EF status page
• Alert preparer when bank product is not included - see KB 10797 for info about bank products.
• Activate imperfect return election in data entry - see KB 10429
• Allow EF Selection from the Calculation results window
• Allow EF from View/Print (ADMIN only)
• Enable prompting before automatic transmission of "Check Print Records" - see KB 10180
• Email 9325 Notice to Taxpayer (automatic from Drake Processing Center) - see KB 10847
• Require e-Signatures on all electronically signable forms (1040 only) - see KBs 12518 and 13097
• Disallow EF selection if DoubleCheck Review flag exists - see KBs 13765 and 13861
• Default ERO - see KB 10820
• Combine EF steps (Select, Transmit, Post Acks) - see KB 10288
• Upload Client Status Manager data to Drake for web-based reporting - see KB 10800
• State EF Suppress options - see KB 10081 for additional options for suppressing EF.
• Customize EF Selection Reports also see KB 13207

Administrative Options tab (admin level logins only)

• Use customized data entry selection menu - see KB 13245
• Customize user-defined data entry fields - see KB 12197
• Allow preparer access to same-firm returns only
• Use customized flagged fields on all returns - see KB 13905
• Apply current-year Admin flag settings when updating from prior year - see KB 10846
• Authorize/Request the disclosure of certain taxpayer information
• Print all due diligence assistance documents - see KB 14268
• Require due diligence assistance screens to be completed - see KB 14291
• Enable logged in preparer's Personal Client Manager - see KB 10131
• Charge ALL taxpayer's the same fees (You MUST read the program help before choosing this option) - see KB 11000. 
• Automatically password protect files - see KB 13098
• Default password - see KB 13098
• Return Status Notification Programs see ABCvoice.
  • Select program drop list
  • Generate consent forms with tax return
  • Require contact information on returns
• Include password protected returns in reports (ADMIN only) - see KB 14180