Duplex Printing in Drake Tax



I want the software to print on both sides of the paper when I print returns. How can I set this up?

Duplex Printing:

To duplex print in Drake Tax, select Setup > Printing > Printer Set Up.

  • To duplex print the tax forms, select Duplex on the F5 General Setup tab. 
  • To duplex print Sets, go to the F6 ‘Sets’ Setup tab and select Duplex. Only forms that are approved for duplex will be printed as duplex. Select Duplex all to print all forms (approved or not) duplex. This option is not available for sets to be mailed to the IRS or State.

Unexpected Duplexing:

Check your settings to make sure the software is not set up to print duplex. Settings are located under Setup > Printing > Printer Set Up. On the (F5) General Setup and (F6) ‘Sets’ Setup tabs, review the Duplex column. Remove any checkmarks not needed.

Prior to Windows 10, to review your settings for the printer,

  1. Go to Start > Devices and Printers.
  2. Right click the printer and select Printing Preferences
  3. Look for a duplex or "print on both sides" option.
  4. If you do not wish to duplex forms from the software, set it to off or clear the option.

In Windows 10, to review your settings for the printer:

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners.
  2. Locate your printer and left click to select it.
  3. Click Manage
  4. Click Printing Preferences.
  5. Look for a duplex or "print on both sides" option. If you do not wish to duplex forms from the software, set it to off or clear the option.
  6. Click Apply, then Ok

In Windows 11, to review your settings for the printer:

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers and Scanners.
  2. Locate your printer and left click to select it.
  3. Click Manage
  4. Click Printer Properties.
  5. Look for a duplex or "double-sided" option. Make the change. 
  6. Click Apply, then Ok

If duplex is not selected as an option anywhere, change your print method in the (F8) Edit Printer Settings tab of Printer Setup. Toggle between PCL or GDI to get the desired results. 

If you continue to experience issues, please contact our Support line for further assistance: (828) 524-8020.

Note: Only printers with duplex printing capabilities will be able to print in duplex and only forms approved for duplex will be printed as duplex. For example, bar-coded forms will not duplex.

Documents not Duplexing (All-In-One Printer (Canon, Brother, Epson and Lexmark)

Drake Software requires printers to be HP-compatible. If the printer is not HP-compatible, documents may print, but some commands and functions may not be available.

Drake Tax, following IRS requirements, specifies which pages can be duplexed on a compatible printer.

Drake printing functions embed HP compatible codes in with the print jobs. Non-HP-compatible printers (Lexmark, Brother, Canon, Epson, etc.) simply ignore these commands as they are not capable of translating them correctly in many cases.

Despite general commands being interpreted correctly by inkjet as well as laser printers, specialty codes like Duplex may be handled uniquely based on the manufacturer’s firmware and drivers.

Generally, all-in-one printers have difficulty completing specialty print jobs as their drivers and firmware are created to handle a wider variety of functions than a dedicated printer, such as fax printing, scanning, copying, etc. The result is that some expanded printer functions may not be performed correctly, if at all.

Troubleshooting:

  • Toggle printer settings in combination with Drake Tax settings.
  • Ensure that you have installed the latest printer driver available for your operating system.
  • Review your printer instruction manual or the vendor website for more information and other tips.