The e-organizer also allows users to email letters and forms to clients, with a link included for quick access to files.
Lacerte includes an e-organizer that allows firms to collect data from clients quickly, using electronic checklists and questionnaires. The application also includes line-by-line help, connecting directly with enhanced Lacerte Help Center. The enhanced e-file wizard makes it easy to file multiple forms simultaneously, and the newly enhanced eSignature feature offers even more signature capture capability than in previous years, including engagement letters, prepared tax returns, 7216 Consent forms, Form 4506-T, and Form 8879, along with most other form types. Lacerte offers year-round e-filing, with the ability to e-file both current and previous year returns. Lacerte currently supports more than 5,700 tax forms. Lacerte supports multiple users, so there’s never any lag in form preparation, and users can easily review all inputted data using the tab design, which offers quick access to specific areas of the prepared form. Lacerte’s user interface is easily navigatable and offers users convenient access to all clients. These include the ability to jump to an input field on any form K-1 transfer capability, which will automatically import partnership and S-Corporation data into a return and the point-of need guidance that allows users to obtain help without leaving their current form. Lacerte boasts of three favorite features among users. Lacerte has also added support for more than 134 new tax forms, and has added new e-file capability to 44 forms. Lacerte has also completed some major enhancements on its eSignature feature, including the addition of an at-a-glance dashboard, the ability to collect signatures from any form, optional authentication for added security, and the ability to use any device including a computer, tablet, or smartphone to collect a signature. In addition, multiple filings can be done from one central client file, eliminating the need to create multiple client files. Lacerte has also created a combination e-file wizard that covers federal state, and local income tax returns, as well as property tax returns.
This is a big plus for firms that have numerous tax preparers on staff, all trying to e-file at the same time. The 2019 version of Lacerte includes several program additions and enhancements, including e-filing improvements such as the ability to now e-file returns simultaneously. For those who desire remote access, Lacerte can also be hosted on a virtual server for easy anytime access. Lacerte is an on-premise application that can be downloaded and installed on a local workstation or network computer. Lacerte handles a wide variety of return types and also offers complete integration with QuickBooks Accountant. Lacerte Tax from Intuit offers both individual and business tax preparation capability and is a good fit for accounting firms of all sizes.