13924: PPR Activation

The information below is adapted from the Pay Per Return (PPR) user's manual. For more PPR information, see Related Links below or the Pay Per Return (PPR) user's manual at Drake Support online (Support > Documents).

There are several ways to use PPRs so that they are counted against your total of purchased and redeemed returns:

• Starting a new return
• Updating an existing return
• Changing the SSN or EIN of a return
• Changing the file type
• Using the Quick Estimator (to start a return)

Starting a new return:

1. From the Home window toolbar, click Open/Create.
2. Enter an SSN or EIN in the Open/Create a New Return dialog box. Click OK.
3. In the Open Return window, click Yes.
4. Verify the SSN/EIN.
5. Select a Return Type.
6. Enter a name in the Name Entry text box. Click OK.
7. Click Yes to verify that you want this return counted against your total of PPRs.
   

Updating a return:

1. From the Home window, go to Last Year Data > Update Clients 20XX to 20YY.
2. In the Update Client Selection dialog box, enter an SSN/EIN and click Add Client.
3. Click Next.
4. In the Update Options menu, select the items to update.
5. Click the Update 1040 button. (If you are updating business* returns, the button will be labeled with the appropriate return type - 1120, 1120s, 1065, etc.)
6. You are offered the opportunity to count the newly updated return against your supply of purchased but unredeemed returns, or to open the return in read-only mode. You cannot make any new entries or calculate the return while in read-only mode.
   

Another method of updating a return is to click Open/Create from the toolbar, enter the SSN or EIN of a previous year’s client, and then make selections from the Update Options menu. You are then given the option to redeem the return, open in read only, or cancel.

Changing the SSN or EIN of a return:

When the SSN or EIN is displayed on screen 1​ of data entry, the return is counted against your supply of returns. You can change the SSN or EIN associated with a return, but this will cost you another PPR. To change it: 

1. From the Home window, go to Tools > File Maintenance > Change SSN/EIN on Return. An alert reminds you that changing the SSN counts against your total number of PPRs. Click Yes.
   
2. In the Incorrect SSN/EIN text box, enter the current SSN/EIN.
3. In the Correct SSN/EIN text box, enter the new SSN/EIN to associate with this return.
4. Click Continue, and then click Exit.
5. After changing a return’s SSN or EIN, update your client list by running the Repair Index Files tool. From the Home window, go to Tools > Repair Index Files

Changing File Type:

You can change the file type of a return (1040, 1120S, etc.), but this will cost you another PPR*. To change the file type:

1. From the Home window, go to Tools > File Maintenance > Change File Type to open the Convert Client Data File Type dialog box. An alert reminds you that changing the SSN counts against your total of PPRs.
2. Click Yes.
3. Enter the SSN/EIN of the return you wish to change.
4. Click Continue. 
5. From the Convert this file to: section, select the type of return you wish this return to be converted to.
6. Click Continue, and then click OK.

Using the Quick Estimator (to start a return):
The Quick Estimator is used to quickly calculate results for an individual (1040) return. Please note:

• In PPR mode, each use of the Quick Estimator starts a new return and counts against your total of purchased and unredeemed PPRs.
• In PPR mode, use of the Quick Estimator with already started returns does not count against your total.
• The Quick Estimator produces only one return if Married Filing Separately is selected as the filing status. A separate return must be generated (using another PPR) for the spouse.

Important: Do not file the return generated in the Quick Estimator with the IRS or an amended return will be required.

*Business return creation and conversion is only available if you have purchased a business return PPR (Drake22).