Overview

If you prepare a small number of returns, the Pay Per Return (PPR) version of Drake Tax might be right for you. Details regarding pricing can be found on the support website pricing page. State programs and e-filing are available at no additional charge with all versions of Drake Tax.

A PPR user can purchase:

• Additional Individual Returns (1040, 1040-NR, 1040-SS Returns) - 10 returns included, purchase more as needed

• Business/Entity Returns (1120, 1120-S, 1120-H, 1065, 1041, 990, 706 Returns) - 0 included, purchase as needed

• Drake Accounting - choose from:

  • Professional Edition (accounting and payroll)

  • Forms Edition (forms only, included in the Professional Edition)

• TheTaxBook WebLibrary Plus Research Tool

• Drake Portals

• GruntWorx Dollars

Installation

Drake Tax can be installed on peer-to-peer networks.

• On networks not using a true server (networks where one computer is designated a “server” and the other computers share files through that computer), returns can be redeemed on any of the computers in the network. Do not, however, transmit from more than one computer.

Drake Tax can be installed on a server.

• On networks using a true server, all returns are redeemed from the server, and all computers on the network have access to all the returns through the server.

Redeemed returns can be moved to other computers.

Internet Required

Internet access is required for the use and activation of the PPR version of Drake Tax and the purchase of additional returns. As with the Pro package, internet access is also required to keep the software updated. An internet connection is required if the software was ever in PPR mode.

Your Drake Tax program comes with your purchased PPRs installed. These returns, and any additional returns you purchase, are available immediately for redemption, provided your system is connected to the Internet.

To purchase or redeem returns, you must complete ERO and Firm setup. The number of returns purchased and the number of returns redeemed will be recorded on your computer.

Returns cannot be purchased or redeemed by phone.

Returns can only be redeemed one at a time.

• A redeemed return can be copied and moved to another computer without counting against your total. Both computers must have the same ERO setup in order to allow for this movement.

Upgrading from PPR to Pro

You can upgrade your PPR package to the Pro package at any time. For more details, review the Account details on Setup > Pay Per Return or contact the accounting department at (828) 349-5900.

If you have upgraded to Pro, you can convert your existing software installation to unlimited by opening the Pay Per Return window. From the home screen of the software, select Setup > Pay Per Return. A message will display that your software has been upgraded to Drake Tax Pro. You can still access the PPR screen for reporting purposes by clicking Yes.

If you are prompted to purchase additional returns after upgrading to Drake Tax Pro, take the following steps (even if you completed this setup previously):

1. Log in to the Support site and go to Downloads > Drake Tax.

2. Locate the e-file Password line and click Copy.

3. In Drake Tax, go to Setup > Electronic Filing and Account Information (ERO) and paste the password in the e-file Password field.

   • This password is case-sensitive so you should use copy/paste to prevent typos.

4. Click OK.

5. Go to Setup > Firms.

6. Select Firm 1 and click Edit Firm (or double-click to edit).

7. Beside your EFIN, click Confirm.

8. Then click Save.

If this action does not resolve the issue, call Drake Software Support for assistance at (828) 524-8020.

PPR Screen

Open Drake Software and go to the Setup > Pay Per Return screen to see your account details.

• Account Summary - broken down in the following categories, cross-referenced with whether the return is an Individual (1040, 1040-NR, 1040-SS Returns) or a Business/Estate (1120, 1120-S, 1120-H, 1065, 1041, 990, 706 Returns).

  • Total Returns Purchased

    • Shows how many returns have been purchased. The PPR package comes with:

      • Ten (10) Individual (1040) returns

      • Zero (0) Business/Estate returns.

  • Total Returns Redeemed

    • A return is “redeemed” when you:

      • Start a new return,

      • Update an existing return*

      • Change the SSN or EIN on a return,

      • Use the Quick Estimator.

      Note  A return redeemed on this machine can be moved to another machine.

  • Total Returns Remaining

    • The total returns remaining are the amount of returns that have been purchased, but have not been redeemed.

• Account Details - This section allows you to see how much it would cost to upgrade your PPR package to Pro.

• Purchase Returns - This section allows you to purchase additional returns (see below for details).

• PPR List - Verify which ID numbers were used to activate returns.

Screen Zeroed Out

Any program that blocks access to Drake servers could cause the screen to be zeroed out. This includes internet outages and firewalls that could cause your PPR screen (under Setup > Pay Per Return) to be blank.

Some troubleshooting tips:

• Verify that your internet connection is functional by browsing to a web address, such as www.dnet.net, using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or another web browsing program.

• If your internet is working, configure your firewall to allow all files and web addresses using KB article Drake Tax - Configuring a Firewall

For additional assistance, contact an IT Professional.

Purchasing Returns

To successfully complete a PPR purchase, you must have:

• an active Drake account

• the correct account information entered on the ERO screen

• an internet connection

To purchase:

1. Go to Setup > Pay Per Return.

2. Enter valid credit card and billing information.

3. Select the number of 1040 and/or Business/Estate Returns to purchase.

4. Verify the transaction details and click Purchase.

5. Respond to the prompts to confirm the purchased. A successful purchase confirmation is returned within a few seconds after the purchase has been completed.

PPR Banks

When you have available returns during the Open/Create process, you will see the notification that the redemption will decrease the available number of returns in the 1040 PPR bank or Business/Estate Bank and show how many will remain after that return is redeemed:

It is important to note that Zero (0) business/estate returns are included with your initial PPR purchase. You must purchase a business/estate return before you will be able to redeem and create any business or estate returns. If you attempt to redeem a return when there are no available (unredeemed) returns for that type, you will see the message

"There are no Business/Estate returns available. Do you wish to purchase more Business/Estate returns (Y/N)?"

This message will appear if you do not have any returns available for the return type indicated. For example, even if you have not redeemed all of your 1040 returns, but are trying to create a business/estate return, this message will display. You must have an available return of that type (1040 or business/estate) before you can continue.

Updating, Redeeming, or Read Only

It is recommended that you update returns as you begin to work on them. If you choose to update a return, it will not be redeemed until you choose to open it in data entry. The following pop-up will ask if you want to redeem the return or continue in read-only mode:

There are several ways to use PPRs so that they are counted against your total of purchased and redeemed returns:

• Starting a new return

• Updating an existing return

• Changing the SSN or EIN of a return

• Changing the file type

• Using the Quick Estimator (to start a return)

• Splitting a MFJ return

Starting a new return

1. From the Home window toolbar, click Open/Create.

2. Enter an SSN or EIN in the Open/Create a New Return dialog box. Click OK.

3. In the Open Return window, click Yes.

4. Verify the SSN/EIN.

5. Select a Return Type.

6. Enter a name in the Name Entry text box. Click OK.

7. Click Yes to verify that you want this return counted against your total of PPRs.

Updating a return

1. From the Home window, go to Last Year Data > Update Clients 2023 to 2024.

2. In the Update Client Selection dialog box, enter an SSN/EIN and click Add Client.

3. Click Next.

4. In the Update Options menu, select the items to update.

5. Click the Update 1040 button. (If you are updating business* returns, the button will be labeled with the appropriate return type - 1120, 1120-S, 1065, etc.)

6. You are offered the opportunity to count the newly updated return against your supply of purchased but unredeemed returns, or to open the return in read-only mode. You cannot make any new entries or calculate the return while in read-only mode.

Another method of updating a return is to click Open/Create from the toolbar, enter the SSN or EIN of a previous year’s client, and then make selections from the Update Options menu. You are then given the option to redeem the return, open in read only, or cancel.

You can print organizers for gathering information from your clients without your being charged for a return. From the menu bar of the Home window, select Last Year Data > Organizers. You are only charged if you update the return to this year and choose to count it.

Changing the SSN or EIN

When the SSN or EIN is displayed on screen 1​ of data entry, the return is counted against your supply of returns. You can change the SSN or EIN associated with a return, but this will cost you another PPR. To change it:

1. From the Home window, go to Tools > File Maintenance > Change SSN/EIN on Return. An alert reminds you that changing the SSN counts against your total number of PPRs. Click Yes.

2. In the Incorrect SSN/EIN text box, enter the current SSN/EIN.

3. In the Correct SSN/EIN text box, enter the new SSN/EIN to associate with this return.

4. Click Continue, and then click Exit.

5. After changing a return’s SSN or EIN, update your client list by running the Repair Index Files tool. From the Home window, go to Tools > Repair Index Files.

Changing File Type

You are only able to change a business/estate return to another type of business/estate return. You cannot change a business/estate return to a 1040, or vice versa. The file type can be changed one time under the Tools menu. An attempt to change the file type a second time will result in the following message

"The return type has already been changed on this tax return. Additional changes not allowed."

To change the file type:

1. From the Home window, go to Tools > File Maintenance > Change File Type to open the Convert Client Data File Type dialog box. An alert reminds you that changing the SSN counts against your total of PPRs.

2. Click Yes.

3. Enter the SSN/EIN of the return you wish to change.

4. Click Continue.

5. From the Convert this file to: section, select the type of return you wish this return to be converted to.

6. Click Continue, and then click OK.

Quick Estimator

The Quick Estimator is used to quickly calculate results for an individual (1040) return. Please note:

• In PPR mode, each use of the Quick Estimator starts a new return and counts against your total of purchased and unredeemed PPRs.

• In PPR mode, use of the Quick Estimator with already started returns does not count against your total.

• The Quick Estimator produces only one return if Married Filing Separately is selected as the filing status. A separate return must be generated (using another PPR) for the spouse.

• The use of the Quick Estimator with a return that has already been redeemed does not cost an additional PPR.

Splitting MFJ Return

Since the MFJ return was activated using the primary taxpayer's SSN, another return is not charged for the taxpayer's MFS return creation. When you are opening the spouse's MFS return, you will be required to activate/redeem a second return since this would be a unique primary SSN for the spouse's MFS return.