Drake Pay is fully integrated with Drake Tax so that you can accept payments from your clients (taxpayers) quickly and easily.

For an overview of Drake Pay and how to apply, see Drake Pay - Overview and Frequently Asked Questions.

Initial Setup

Once you are approved to use Drake Pay, you must ensure that your Drake Software account is properly connected with Drake Tax before collecting payments.

1. From the Home window of Drake Tax, go to Setup > Firms. The Firm Setup window is opened.

2. Select firm number 1 and click Edit (or double-click firm number 1) to activate the bottom pane of the Firm Setup window.

3. Verify that your EFIN is registered with Drake Software via a green check mark and the text You are approved to e-file. If it is not, be sure to Confirm your EFIN.
   

   

4. Click Save when finished.

Point-of-Sale (POS) Device (optional)

Follow the steps provided in Drake Pay - Ordering a POS Device to purchase, on-board, and update a compatible device. Then, use Drake Pay - Setting Up a POS Device.

Remote Payments - Payment Requests

You can request payment for your tax return preparation services beginning with Drake Tax 2023. To send a payment request from Drake Tax, follow these steps.

1. Set up pricing or enter an amount due for preparing the return. If you have configured pricing for returns, the amount due is automatically figured after you calculate the completed return. Then for each return, do the following:

2. In View/Print mode, review the client’s Bill. Make any necessary adjustments using the BILL screen or the Fee override field on screen 1. If you make any changes, be sure to recalculate the return. ​

3. Ensure that ID information for the taxpayer and spouse, if applicable, has been entered on the IDS screen.

4. (optional; signature pads only) Select Generate e-sign receipt, if necessary.

5. From the Data Entry Menu, click Payments to open the Drake Pay window.

6. The Amount Due flows from the client’s bill and is used to automatically complete the required Amount to Pay field.

   Note  Partial payments are not available at this time. The client must be able to pay the Amount to Pay in full, otherwise the request must be cancelled. If you need to establish a payment plan with your client, consider sending several smaller invoices.

7. Enter an Invoice Memo, if desired.

   

8. On the Send Payment Request tab, enter an Email to send the invoice to.

9. Click Send Request when finished.

   The request appears on the Payment Requests tab of the Drake Pay Manager with a status of Sent.

   Use the three vertical dots beside a pending request to view invoice Details, Resend the invoice, or Cancel a payment request. Invoices that have been paid cannot be canceled or re-sent.

10. From here, proceed to Drake Pay - Payment Requests - Taxpayer View. Then Drake Pay - Payment Requests .

Drake Refund Pay

If you have applied for, and been approved to offer Drake Refund Pay, see Drake Pay - Drake Refund Pay instead.

In-Person Payments - Manual Card Entry

1. Set up pricing or enter an amount due for preparing the return. If you have configured pricing for returns, the amount due is automatically figured after you calculate the completed return. Then for each return, do the following:

2. In View/Print mode, review the client’s Bill. Make any necessary adjustments using the BILL screen or the Fee override field on screen 1. If you make any changes, be sure to recalculate the return. ​

3. From the Data Entry Menu, click Payments to open the Drake Pay window.

4. The Amount Due flows from the client’s Bill and is used to automatically complete the required Amount to Pay field. Override the Amount to Pay, if necessary, and enter an Invoice Memo, if desired.

5. (optional; signature pads only) Select Generate e-sign receipt, if necessary.

6. For Transaction type, select Manual card entry.
   
   

7. Enter the client's payment details. Drake Software recommends also entering the client's email so that they receive a PDF receipt of the transaction.

8. Click Process Payment. Successful payments are automatically carried to the BILL screen in the tax return.

In-Person Payments - POS Device

1. Set up pricing or enter an amount due for preparing the return. If you have configured pricing for returns, the amount due is automatically figured after you calculate the completed return. Then for each return, do the following:

2. In View/Print mode, review the client’s Bill. Make any necessary adjustments using the BILL screen or the Fee override field on screen 1. If you make any changes, be sure to recalculate the return. ​

3. From the Data Entry Menu, click Payments to open the Drake Pay window.

4. The Amount Due flows from the client’s Bill and is used to automatically complete the required Amount to Pay field. Override the Amount to Pay, if necessary, and enter an Invoice Memo, if desired.

5. (optional; signature pads only) Select Generate e-sign receipt, if necessary.

6. For Transaction type, select POS device card swipe.

7. Choose the applicable Swipe device name.

8. Ensure your POS device is properly connected to the Internet and click Process Payment.
   
   

9. Follow the on-screen prompts on your POS device to complete the transaction. Successful payments are automatically carried to the BILL screen in the tax return. (See Drake Pay - Ordering a POS Device for POS device information.)

Issues

If you click on the Payments icon and see the following screen, verify your application status by going to the Drake Software Support website and selecting Products > Drake Pay. If the application is accepted, reconfirm your EFIN in Drake Tax via Setup > Firms, and be sure to click Save. Afterward, recalculate the return and attempt to process the payment again.