Drake Tax Online - Drake Tax Desktop Integration

Article #: 18787

Last Updated: May 30, 2025

 

Tags: Drake Tax OnlineDrake Tax Online

Drake Tax Online logo

With your purchase of Drake Tax Online, you have access to a customized version of Drake Tax Desktop. This version of Drake Tax must be used to access the following features and return types:

  • Traditional Data Entry

  • Keyboard shortcuts

  • Married Filing Joint (MFJ) Split Analysis & Return Splitting

  • K-1 Export Functionality

  • GruntWorx Integration

  • Interactive View/Print Mode

  • 1120 returns

  • 1041 returns

  • 990 returns

  • 706 returns

Note  The Drake Tax Planner and Organizers are not currently available in DTO or the customized version of Drake Tax desktop.

New Return

If you want to create a new return, but open it directly in Drake Tax on your computer, follow the steps below.

Caution  Before starting, make sure that you have already installed the customized version of Drake Tax on your computer.

  1. Log in to your Drake Tax Online dashboard and launch the appropriate year of Drake Tax Online.

  2. Under Returns, click the Create button.

  3. Select the applicable return type from the drop list.

  4. Enter and Confirm the SSN/EIN.

  5. If this is an S corp or partnership, you will also need to enter the Client Name.

  6. Click Advanced Options (below Confirm SSN or Confirm EIN).

  7. Choose Open with: Desktop as your preparation method.

  8. Click the Create return button.

  9. This will automatically open Drake Tax (Desktop) and take you directly into Data Entry mode for that client.

  10. Make your entries or use the necessary features of Drake Tax desktop.

    • Your return will periodically be saved automatically as you work; however, you can also manually save using the Save button in the toolbar.

  11. When you're done, click Return to Web in the menu to return to Drake Tax Online.

  12. After returning to Drake Tax Online, you can review any changes made in Drake Tax desktop, add any final details or missing information, and e-file the return directly from the web.

Existing Return

If you want to work on an existing return using Drake Tax desktop, follow these steps instead.

Caution  Before continuing, make sure that you have already installed the customized version of Drake Tax on your computer.

  1. From the Drake Tax Online home screen, locate the return in the Recent Returns list (or click Find).

  2. Click the Open in Desktop icon beside the return.
    Open in desktop icon

  3. This will automatically open Drake Tax Desktop and take you directly into Data Entry mode for that client.

  4. Make your entries or use the necessary features of Drake Tax desktop.

    • Your return will periodically be saved automatically as you work; however, you can also manually save using the Save button in the toolbar.

  5. When you're done, click Return to Web in the menu to return to Drake Tax Online.

  6. After returning to Drake Tax Online, you can review any changes made in Drake Tax desktop, add any final details or missing information, and e-file the return directly from the web.

Drake Tax Online - e-Filing