Preparing Lacerte data for conversion to UltraTax CS

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The first step to prepare data for conversion from Lacerte to UltraTax CS is exporting the data in the proper format and preparing the files for our Conversion Team. Complete the steps below to create the files you'll need to provide to convert your data for use in UltraTax CS.

If you are just getting started, check out the Conversion overview before you continue with the steps in this article.

Current forms and schedules that convert from Lacerte

General information Schedule Form Facsimile
Demographic Information Schedule A 4835 W2
Direct Deposit Info Schedule B 1116 W2-G
Payments Schedule C 2106 1099R
Misc. Income Schedule D 2441 1099Q
Misc. Deductions Schedule E 2555 SSA-1099
Education Expenses Schedule F 4797 1099SA
IRA Information Schedule H 5329 5498SA
Keogh/Sep/Simple Schedule J 6252
Depreciation Schedule R 8396
Auto Expenses Schedule K-1 8839
Carryovers Schedule K1-T 8886
Two Year Comparison 8938
114
5405
8594
8801
8822

Note: Select state data is converted for the state of CA.

General information Schedule Form
Demographic Information Schedule B 1125-A
Page 1 Information Schedule D 2220
Payments Schedule E 4797
Shareholder Information Schedule F 6252
Rent and Royalty Schedule K 8609
Depreciation Schedule K-1 8886
Carryovers Schedule L 114
Two Year Comparison Schedule M-1
Schedule M-2
Schedule M-3
General information Schedule Form
Demographic Information Schedule B 1125-A
Page 1 Information Schedule D 4797
Partner Information Schedule F 6252
Rent and Royalty Schedule K 8609
Depreciation Schedule K-1 8886
Carryovers Schedule L 114
Two Year Comparison Schedule M-1
Schedule M-2
Schedule M-3
General information Schedule Form
Demographic Information Schedule A 2210
Electronic Funds Withdrawal Schedule C 4797
Deductions Schedule D 5227
Beneficiary Information Schedule E 6252
Balance Sheet Schedule F 114
Accumulation Schedule Schedule K-1
Carryovers
Two Year Comparison
Depreciation
General information Schedule Form
Demographic Information Schedule A 990
Balance Sheet Schedule C 990T
Notes and Bonds Schedule D 990PF
Officers Schedule E
Payments Schedule G
Carryovers Schedule H
Depreciation Schedule M
Schedule R

Before you provide data to convert

Complete the following before you prepare data for conversion:

  • Remove any client passwords: You'll need to remove all client passwords in your old software before you prepare the data to send to the Conversion Team.
  • Remove any return locks: You'll need to remove all return locks in your old software before you prepare the data to send to the Conversion Team.
  • Rename, renumber, or modify client IDs. The Conversion Team will use the same client IDs in your old software. If you need to modify any client IDs, do so before sending data for conversion. Client IDs must be unique across all entities in .

Prepare data for conversion

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  1. Create a folder on your desktop where you will export your Lacerte data.
  2. Start Lacerte.
  3. Select the entity type to back up from the Tax Type selection in the Client Menu.
  4. In the Clients tab, select the client data to copy. To select multiple files, press the CTRL or SHIFT key while you select the data.

    Notes:

    • For the most efficient conversion, you should send all data for a given year at the same time.
    • Do not include cross-entity returns (TX Franchise, NV Commerce, OR CAT), consolidated 1120 returns, imported trial balance data for business tax returns, or Schedule K-1 data shared between business and individual returns.
  5. Choose Client, then Backup.
  6. In the Destination, enter the path to the backup folder you created in step 1.
  7. Clear the Delete original after backup checkbox.
  8. Click OK. When the backup process is complete, you will return to the Clients tab.
  9. Repeat steps 2 through 8 for each entity type using the same path as step 1.
  10. Once you've finished exporting, open the folder to verify you have the correct files. It should look like a Lacerte database directory that has a folder for each entity type you exported, and each entity folder should contain the following:
    1. 8 Database files starting with DATA and ending in .DBF. The numbers and letters in between represent the entity and tax year.
    2. 8 Database files that correspond with the 8 .DBF files, but ending in .MDX.

      Example

      If you're exporting 2022 Corporate returns you'll see DATA1C22.DBF through DATA8C22.DBF and a corresponding MDX file.

    3. Several folders, including DETAIL.
    4. Within the DETAIL folder, one file for each client backed up, with an extension of .?D8, where the ? represents the tax type.
  11. Right-click the folder you created in step 1, and select Send to, then Compressed zip.

    Note: Do not password protect or encrypt the ZIP file.

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