TaxAct Professional Editions – Setup Guide
Installation
Before proceeding, ensure that you have TaxAct Professional Editions installed. See Downloading and Installing TaxAct for installation procedures.
Setup
Import Master Information
Returning users can save time by utilizing TaxAct’s Import Prior Year Online Master Information feature. Practice, Preparer, Client, and General information will be automatically populated based on last year’s entries.
When you sign into the program for the first time, you will be prompted to import Master Information:
- If you stored Master Information online last year, click I used TaxAct’s secure servers last year.
- TaxAct will search your local computer for master information files and bring them in once you authorize the import.
- If no files are found, a pop-up will appear saying prior year data could not be found.
If you are a new user, continue with the setup instructions below:
Master Information Setup
The first time you launch the software, the TaxAct Setup Wizard will walk you through steps to set up Master Information, including:
- Practice
- Preparers
- Client Status
- Directories
- General
For best results, complete every tab in the setup window before clicking the OK button. You can access and edit this information at any time. To access Master Form Data after setup, click Preparer > Master Information > Practice. See Set Up or Edit Practice, Preparer, and Master Information for detailed instructions.
Once you have completed setting up the Master Information, click Continue to Master Forms.
Master Forms
Once you make all your Master Info selections, the Setup Wizard prompts you to set defaults for various forms you use in your practice:
- Charge By Form
- Billing Invoice
- Instruction Letter
- Schedule K-1 Letter (applicable product versions only)
Once you complete the setup for each form, a green checkmark will appear on the tile so you can easily see which you have not yet completed.
You can access and edit this information at any time. To access Master Form Data after setup, click Preparer > Master Information > Master Form Data. See Setting Master Forms Defaults for detailed instructions.
Client Manager
From the client manager, you can import or add, edit, and delete clients and client returns. Additionally, you can enable password protection and back up client data from the Client Manager. See Client Manager for detailed instructions.
E-File Center
When you’re ready to e-file a client return, we recommend using the E-file Center, where you can submit single or multiple returns. From here, you can also view e-filing information for other preparers in your practice and navigate to e-file and refund status reports. See E-File Client Returns for detailed instructions.
Print Center
The Print Center offers multiple printing options in one convenient place. Multiple documents can be printed in one job. The Print Center also consolidates the printing of client returns, organizers, consent forms, labels, and blank forms. See Print Consent Forms, Invoices, and Reports for more information.