Drake Tax - Installation
Article #: 10983
Last Updated: December 03, 2025
Drake Software customers can download and install available versions of Drake Tax (federal and state programs) through the Drake Download Center. Installing Drake Tax from the support website ensures that you are installing the most up-to-date version of the program.
Watch the video Drake Software Installation for a demonstration.
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Have your account number and serial number available.
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The account-specific serial number can be found on the Drake Support website. Log in using your user account credentials (SSO information and recovery steps may be found in Drake Hub - Password Recovery and Expiration or Drake User Manager - Password Recovery and Expiration). On the left, choose Account > Serial Numbers. If you require a serial number that is not listed, contact the Accounting Department at (828) 349-5900 for further assistance.
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Verify that any auto backups (Tools > File Maintenance > Backup) are temporarily turned off.
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Be aware that other auto updating programs may also interfere with installation.
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Review Drake Tax - Security Information: Password Setup and Recovery for information about the software log in procedure.
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When installing Drake Tax to a network, make sure to install to the root of the drive you will be running the software from. Running the software from within a sub-folder will produce errors. See Network Setup for details.
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Ensure that all computers meet the Drake Tax - System Requirements.
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If you are installing Drake Tax on a new computer and wish to keep your current client files and configurations, see Drake Tax - Moving Existing Installation to New Computer.
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If you used Drake Tax 2024, Drake Tax 2025 may have auto-installed. See Drake Tax - Auto-Install and Auto-Update for details.
Current Year
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To begin the installation process, log into Drake Software Support website. using your SSO user account credentials.
Note If you are logged into Drake Hub, click Drake Support Site on the left to access your software account page.
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SSO information and recovery steps are available in:
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From the main Drake Software Support page, choose Downloads > Drake Tax.
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From the tax year drop list, select the tax year that you want to download. Click the Download button.
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During the download, respond to any security warning to continue the download. If offered the choice between running and saving the file, select Run to install the software. Select Save to save the downloaded file for later installation. If you save the file, save it to a location that you can later find, such as your Documents folder. Check your downloads folder for the executable if the file does not begin to run automatically.
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When you select Run (or later open the downloaded file) to install the software, a pop-up appears. Select Yes to begin installation.
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Click Install Drake Tax 2025.
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Read and accept the Drake Software License Agreement. Click Next.
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Select the location where you want the program installed. The prior year location is noted (if available). Unless you have changed your network setup, you will generally want to select the same location as the prior year. Click Next.
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Verify installation details. Install Drake Tax 2025 is marked by default; test returns must be installed with the preseason release. Click Next.
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Select States to be installed (optional if installing for the first time in January; not available in December). Click Next.
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If you have a Licensed version of Drake Tax, enter your Account number and Serial number, then click Next.
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Use the Look up your account number, EFIN, e-file password, and serial number quick link on the left to obtain this information if you do not have it already.
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Read the IRS Security Summit information pages (click Next on each page to proceed). When you get to the installation Summary page, click the Install button.
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If additional peripheral programs are needed, the Drake Tax Prerequisites Setup Wizard is opened. Follow the steps to install the needed programs.
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When the installation is complete, you are automatically returned to the Software Installation window. Click Finished.
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You may be prompted to take a short survey. Afterward, review the What's New document or watch the What's New video before clicking Exit.
Note If you cannot locate your desktop icon, see Drake Tax - Lost Desktop Icons for Drake Tax.
New The first time you open Drake Tax 2025, you will be prompted to agree to the license agreement and set up your administrator log in. Then, your settings will start updating from Drake Tax 2024. See Drake Tax - Auto-Update Prior-Year Settings for details.
Prior Years
You can install available prior years of Drake Tax from the Drake Software Support website. Steps may vary depending on the year of Drake Tax being installed. After choosing the program from the list, follow the installation wizard to complete installation.
Tip If you need to file a return for a year that is no longer available online, visit the IRS website. The IRS provides fillable PDFs for prior-year forms at https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/prior-year.
| Program Year | Software Download Available? | Customer Support Available? * | Software Product Updates Available? * |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 and Prior | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| 2018 | Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| 2019 | Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| 2020 | Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| 2021 | Available | Not Available | Not Available |
| 2022 | Available | Available | Available |
| 2023 | Available | Available | Available |
| 2024 | Available | Available | Available |
*Drake Software’s customer support services and software updates are governed by each software product’s End User License Agreement. Drake Software generally offers customer support and software updates for prior-year products on a commercially reasonable basis. For more information or questions about program support or availability, contact Drake Software Support at (828) 524-8020.