Drake Tax Online – Protection Plus

Last Updated: September 29, 2026

The program details and enrollment for Protection Plus can be found in Protection Plus – Program Overview and Software Setup. After you register, follow these steps to set up and use Protection Plus in Drake Tax Online.

Setup

Verify that your account is set up by completing Setup > ERO Setup and Setup > Firm Setup.

Functionality

Per-Return (Standard)

To enroll a taxpayer in the Per-Return (Standard) program, open the AP screen and select the box Yes, enroll taxpayer in Protection Plus.

When this box is selected, the Protection Plus member agreement and a Form 7216 for disclosure are added to the tax documents in the return PDF. The Form 7216 should be signed by the taxpayer.

On the return PDF, on the bill under “Miscellaneous Fees” you will see:

• The cost of the product appears as “Audit protection through Protection Plus.”

• The ERO markup appears as “Audit protection document prep fee.”

• The Network/Franchise markup appears as “Audit protection franchise/network fee.”

Similar entries appear on the bank info sheet if there is a bank product in the return. If there is no bank product, you are responsible for collecting the fees.

ERO Markup

When an ERO uses the Per-Return (Standard) program, the office can add up to $65 to the base price of $59.95 (maximum total price $124.95). The markup can be changed on the Drake Software Support website (up until you have e-filed your first return), and must be in whole dollar increments.

Franchise/Network Fee Markup

If the office is part of a multi-site operation, they also have the option to add a franchise/network fee mark-up. Any amount entered into the franchise/network fee box is paid to the master EFIN, and any amount entered as the Protection Plus ERO mark-up is paid to the EFIN. In total, these two mark-ups can total no more than $65.

Rebates

In some cases, a tax office can earn a rebate by using the Protection Plus Per-Return (Standard) program. If an ERO is interested in Protection Plus rebates, they will need to call Protection Plus.

Bank Product

If the return is attached to a bank product, the Protection Plus fees will be paid out of the taxpayer’s refund. The mark-ups are paid out by Drake around the 20^th of each month during tax season for the units that were funded in the previous month.

No Bank Product

The tax professional should collect payment for the entire Protection Plus fee at the same time they collect payment for their tax prep fees. A tax professional can remit the $59.95 to Protection Plus in one of two ways:

1. Easy Pay – With this option, tax professionals are drafted by Protection Plus weekly for all enrollments from the previous week.

2. Manual Payment on https://taxprotectionplus.com – Each tax professional has a login to the Protection Plus website. On this site, they can manually pay for each Protection Plus return not attached to a bank product.

   • For help logging in, the ERO should contact Protection Plus.

Firm-Level

When you use the Firm-Level program, Protection Plus is automatically included on every applicable return. You do not need to make any entries in the return, and every applicable return will have a Protection Plus member agreement included with the tax documents.

There is no Protection Plus line item for the Firm-Level program. You may decide to increase your tax prep fees because of the additional services that are now included.

Billing

Protection Plus will bill the tax office every other week during tax season. After tax season, billing will be done monthly. The amount drafted will be based on the number of tax returns reported to Tax Protection Plus. Contact Protection Plus with questions.

Registration Cutoff

Registration for the firm level program can be completed until March 31^st. After this date, an ERO can no longer register for the Firm-Level program. If you have registered after you have already prepared tax returns, you will be billed for each of those filed returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do the Audit Assistance Services last?

• The Audit Protection is provided on the federal and state returns for three years.

How long do the Identity Theft Restoration services last?

• Identity Theft Restoration services are provided for one year from the date of filing.

What is the latest that I can sign up for Protection Plus?

• Enrollment for Protection Plus Per-Return (Standard) is available at any time during tax season.

• Enrollment for Protection Plus Firm-Level is available until April 30^th. If you register after you have already prepared tax returns, you will be billed for each of the filed returns.

• If you sign up for one of the programs, but want to switch, you must switch before March 1^st.

If I’ve already e-filed some returns, then sign up for Protection Plus Firm-Level, does that cover the returns that I have already e-filed?

• Yes, it does. Protection Plus Firm-Level coverage is applied to all filed returns. In order to offer this coverage, you will be billed for any returns that you have already filed at the per return basis.

Can Protection Plus be used on 1040-NR returns?

• Protection Plus does not cover 1040-NR returns. If using Protection Plus Firm-Level you will not be billed for a 1040-NR that is filed through Drake Tax.

I’m enrolled for Protection Plus Per-Return (Standard), but the Protection Plus Cost isn’t showing on my bill?

• Ensure that the AP screen is completed in the client’s return. Once the Yes box is checked, the Protection Plus documentation and 7216 will show in view and the line item will be applied to the bill.

I’ve signed up for the Protection Plus Firm Level. Why is there no line item for Protection Plus on my bill?

• Protection Plus Firm-Level does not generate a line item. It is automatically applied to all eligible returns.

• A copy of the Protection Plus Member Agreement is produced in view mode.

  • The agreement shows as PP Audit in an individual return.

  • PP Audit and PP Audit – Business are both produced in business/entity returns.

• Form 7216 is not printed for the Firm-Level program.

One of my clients would like to opt-out of the Protection Plus, but I’ve signed up for the Firm-Level. Is there a way they can opt out?

• The taxpayer can opt out of signing the agreement, however, you will still be charged for those returns and they will still be eligible to use Protection Plus services at a later date.

Using Protection Plus Firm-Level, how often will I be billed?

• Protection Plus will bill the tax office every other week during tax season. After tax season, billing will be done monthly. The amount drafted will be based on the number of tax returns reported to Tax Protection Plus. Contact Protection Plus with questions.

If I want to add a mark-up to Protection Plus, where can I list that?

• If using Protection Plus Per-Return (Standard), a mark-up of up to $65 may be added when you enroll. To do so go to the Drake Software Support website > Products > Audit Defense. You cannot add a mark-up fee to the Protection Plus Firm-Level since the taxpayer is not charged for enrolling (billed to preparer/ERO/Company).

Is there some place in the software where I can opt out of my Protection Plus mark-up for a single return?

• Fees are charged to all taxpayers who opt-in to Protection Plus, Per-Return (Standard). You cannot opt-out of charging the mark-up fee to a single taxpayer if you have chosen to charge a mark-up fee.

If the taxpayer is not using a bank product, how does Protection Plus Per-Return (Standard) collect the fee for Protection Plus if the taxpayer chooses to opt in?

• When a bank product is not used with a return, the tax preparer is responsible for collecting the Protection Plus fee and remitting it to Protection Plus.

Can I still offer my client Protection Plus (Firm-Level or Per-Return) if their return is being paper filed?

• Yes, you can. Simply log on to the website at https://taxprotectionplus.com from there you may manually enter the taxpayer’s information, or you can call Protection Plus at (866) 942-8348.

How can I reach Protection Plus? What are their hours?

• Phone: (866) 942-8348

• Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm EST