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

New Return

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

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

2. On the Tax Return Dashboard, click Create return on the right.

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

   Note  In Drake Tax 2024 and prior, only 1040, 1120-S, and 1065 returns are able to be created in DTO.

   In Drake Tax 2025 and future, you can create 1040, 1120-S, 1065, 1120, 1041, 990, and 706 returns in DTO (if purchased).

4. Enter and confirm the SSN/EIN.

5. Enter the client's name.

6. Click Advanced Options.

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/Sync 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.

1. From the Drake Tax Online Tax Return Dashboard, locate the return in the list (or use the Find to search).

2. Click Launch in Desktop under Actions.

   

   • In DTO 2024, click the open in desktop icon instead: 
     
     

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/Sync 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.

Related Links

Drake Tax Online - e-Filing