This article guides you through setting up Drake Tax Online and preparing a return in DTO, from start to finish.

1. Confirm Setup

2. Create the Return

3. Complete Data Entry

4. Finish and e-File

This article discusses how to complete setup and an entire return while using DTO in the browser. There is a Drake Tax Desktop Integration, however, that is not discussed in this basic getting started guide.

Confirm Setup

Before creating a return, verify that your account is set up by completing Setup > ERO Setup, Setup > Firm Setup, and Setup > Preparers. This set up must be done in each year of Drake Tax Online that you plan to use. You can update settings from the prior year, if applicable.

See Drake Tax Online - Setting Up Users and Preparers and Drake Tax Online - ERO PIN Signature for more information.

Create the Return

See Drake Tax Online - Creating a Return for detailed steps.

Complete Data Entry

1. Complete the Taxpayer Information tab and click Save and Continue.

2. After completing the Consent screen, if needed, you are prompted to either Start guided workflow or Skip to direct form entry. At any time, you can go to a certain section by clicking the appropriate tab on the left.

3. Use the Quick Calc to check the return details at any time.

4. Click View Return to see a PDF of the return.

   • Also see Drake Tax Online - Viewing or Downloading a Return.

5. To review the forms that have been filled out, click the Review Forms tab.

See Drake Tax Online - Data Entry Basics for more tips.

Finish and e-File

1. Click the Finish tab to sign the tax return and choose any electronic filing options.

2. Click the File tab to review return information and EF Messages (errors). You must clear any errors before you can continue through e-filing. See Drake Tax Online - Common EF Messages for tips on clearing common EF Messages.

3. When you are ready to file, proceed with the prompts.

4. To check the e-file status, click on the Return Status tab. You can also use the following features to check the status of a return:

   • Drake Workflow (Beta)

   • Support website Online Reports

   • Client Status Report

Videos

• Set Up Dashboard

• Set Up Tax Year

• Preparer Set Up

• Return Processing

• Drake Tax Online - Desktop Integration

• Banking

• General Tools

• Reports

Support

For support, call (828) 349-5727 or email Support@DrakeSoftware.com.

Related Links

Drake Tax Online - Overview

Drake Tax Online - Logging in and Using the Dashboard

Drake Tax Online - Setting Up Users and Preparers

Drake Tax Online - Data Entry Basics

Drake Tax Online - Creating a Return

Drake Tax Online - e-Filing