The Complete Guide to Lacerte Data Conversion 

For tax preparers, every minute matters. Switching to Lacerte Tax Software can boost your productivity and improve client service, but moving data from another system may feel overwhelming. 

That’s where the Lacerte Data Conversion Wizard helps—quickly importing client data from your previous software, saving hours of manual entry, and minimizing errors. With the right preparation, the process is faster and smoother than you might expect.  

This guide will walk you through what to do before, during, and after conversion, including timelines and supported file types. 

What is Lacerte Data Conversion? 

Lacerte data conversion is the systematic process of transferring client tax information, returns, and associated data from your current tax preparation software into Lacerte Professional Tax Software. This migration preserves years of client history, demographic information, tax calculations, and preparer notes, ensuring continuity in your tax practice operations.  

The conversion process encompasses multiple data types, including: 

• Client demographic and contact information 

• Prior year tax returns and calculations 

• Tax elections and preferences 

• Preparer and firm information 

• Client notes and communication history 

• Organizer information and carry-forward data 

The Lacerte Data Conversion Wizard: Your Primary Tool 

The Lacerte data conversion wizard is Intuit’s proprietary tool designed to automate and streamline data migration. This sophisticated system can handle conversions from multiple tax software platforms, including TurboTax, Drake, UltraTax CS, ProSeries, etc. 

The wizard operates through a user-friendly interface that guides tax professionals at each step of the conversion process. It’s designed to minimize manual intervention while ensuring data accuracy and completeness.  

Key Features of the Lacerte Data Conversion Wizard 

• Automated Data Recognition: The wizard automatically identifies and categorizes different types of tax data, ensuring proper placement within Lacerte’s structure. 

• Bulk Processing Capabilities: Multiple client files can be processed simultaneously, significantly reducing the time required for large-scale conversions. 

• Error Detection and Reporting: The system identifies potential issues before conversion completion, allowing for proactive resolution. 

• Progress Tracking: Real-time status updates keep you informed throughout the conversion process. 

Supported Years for Conversion 

Conversions are supported only for the current year and the prior year. For the 2025 season, this means you can accept 2024 client returns from another vendor and convert them into Lacerte 2024 for creating Proforma tax returns. 

Eligibility for Data Conversion 

Data conversion is available only to current-year customers, which includes: 

• Existing customers with a license for the current tax year who have already renewed for the upcoming tax year. 

• New customers with a license for the upcoming tax year, including those with a future-dated hold due to a deferred payment plan. 

Typical Processing Time 

• For most supported programs, conversions are completed within about an hour, depending on the number of files uploaded. 

Upload Limits 

There’s no set limit to how many files you can upload. However, if you experience issues uploading large files, try creating smaller batches for smoother processing. 

Supported Software Platforms 

The Lacerte data conversion wizard supports conversions from numerous tax preparation software platforms:  

Preparing for Lacerte Data Conversion 

Before starting your data conversion: 

1. Install the latest version of Lacerte. 
   Use the official installation guide for step-by-step instructions. 

2. Back up your client data from the tax software you’re converting from. 
   A. Visit the Data Conversion webpage. 
   B. Under “Ready to submit your data?”, select the backup instructions for your specific software. 

3. Verify the backup files. 
   Compare your backup against the details provided in the instructions to ensure they are the correct file types. 

Step 1: Submitting Client Data for Conversion  

1. Open Lacerte 2025. 

2. From the Import menu, select Client Data Conversion → Submit Client Data for Conversion. 

3. Sign in to your Intuit account. 

4. Click Next on the Intuit Tax Data Conversion Wizard screen. 

5. In Select the software to convert from, choose your source software from the dropdown list. 

6. Select the Software to convert to the field, which will default to Lacerte. 

7. Select the tax years: 
   A. Convert from year defaults to 2024. 
   B. Convert to year lets you choose which year of Lacerte you want your files returned in. 
   C. If you’re using the Organizer, match the “convert to year” to the Organizer year. 

8. Enter a unique beginning client number. 

9. From the client file list, uncheck any files you do not need to convert. 

10. Click Submit. 

11. A confirmation screen will display the estimated completion time. 

12. You’ll receive an email when your conversion is complete at the address shown. 

13. Click Done to exit the Tax Data Conversion wizard. 

If you need more guidance, check out Intuit’s official Lacerte Data Conversion support video.

Step 2: Checking Your Conversion Status 

After uploading your data, you can track progress in two ways: 

• Confirmation email: Sent once the conversion is complete. 

• Online status check: 
  • From the Import menu, select Client Data Conversion → Download Converted Data. 
  • Sign in with your User ID and password. 
  • Allow up to 24 hours for processing before a status is available. 
  • If you check too early, you’ll see a message stating the data isn’t ready for download. 

Step 3: Downloading and Restoring Converted Client Files 

Download your converted data: 

1. From the Import menu, select Client Data Conversion → Download Converted Client Data. 

2. Log in with your username and password. 

3. Review the list of batches submitted for conversion. 

4. Select the box next to a completed batch (only one can be downloaded at a time) and click Download. 

5. Click Done to close the wizard. 

Restore the converted clients: 

• If converted to Lacerte 2025: 
  • The Transferring Clients window will show the import progress. Large batches may take longer. 
  • Once complete, you can switch tax types to transfer additional clients:
    • From the Client menu, select Tax Type. 
    • Choose the appropriate tax type and repeat the transfer process. 

Turning Data Conversion into a Growth Opportunity 

Completing your Lacerte data conversion isn’t just about moving files; it’s about opening the door to a more efficient, tech-driven way of serving clients. The transition can be far smoother with the Lacerte Data Conversion Wizard tool and the converted items list. 

By understanding the conversion turnaround time and following this migration guide, you can meet client trust while positioning your firm for greater agility.  

With your data successfully migrated, the next step is maximizing Lacerte’s capabilities to streamline workflows, elevate client service, and gain a competitive edge. Hosting Lacerte in the cloud takes it even further, delivering faster access, bank-grade security, and the freedom to work from anywhere without compromising performance.