Setup Options Overview



What options are available to customize the Drake Tax program?

 

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

    Posted Last Year by BBartlett
    https://kb.drakesoftware.com/Site/Browse/18202/Setup-Options-Overview