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In tax preparation, workflow efficiency directly affects turnaround time, accuracy, and profitability. When firms are handling multiple clients, complex returns, and tight filing deadlines, even small process gaps can create delays across the entire practice. Intuit Lacerte is designed to solve these operational challenges with features that support faster preparation, smoother reviews, and better workflow control.
In this blog, we will break down 11 important Lacerte features that help tax professionals optimize workflow and manage tax season more effectively.
1. Client List Filters
The client list filters offer tax preparers a convenient way to manage and filter client information. Tax professionals can customize the client list display according to their requirements, with only the necessary fields to remove clutter. You need to go to the Display tab in the Settings menu to view all available fields.
From there, you can select all the Fields that you want in the client list. Moreover, you can also change the order of the fields by using the Up and Down buttons.
2. K-1 Delivery Automation
Lacerte’s K-1 delivery automation feature enables tax preparers to send K-1 packages simultaneously to multiple partners through email. The partners get a secure link to the Lacerte online portal, where they can access, download, and print the K-1 package.
However, they need an existing account to log in to the portal. For accounting firms that manage complex partnership structures or investment clients, this feature helps streamline post-preparation tasks, minimize manual work, and improve client communication.
3. Jump to Input
Jump to Input is a very useful feature that enables tax preparers to locate where the data came from in a form. All you need to do is select the client file and click on the Forms tab to view the form. In the form, you can move the cursor to any field and right-click to select the Jump to Input option.
Lacerte opens the details tab and highlights the exact field from where the data was taken. For instance, if you open a client’s 1040 form and select Your Social Security Number, Lacerte will navigate to the taxpayer information details and highlight the Social Security field.
However, for some fields that do not have a source in the details tab, Jump to Input is not available. Moreover, if there are multiple input sources for a field, it will be displayed accordingly. You can also use this feature to search a form’s input field in the details section.
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4. Like-Kind Exchange Wizard
Handling property exchanges under Section 1031 can be complicated due to stringent regulations and reporting requirements. This wizard enables you to easily manage the client’s like-kind transactions. It offers an interactive dialog box, where you can move assets from the All Properties section to the Properties being exchanged section just by selecting them and using the arrow button.
The next step is to enter the details of the new property, including down payments and mortgages. It automatically calculates critical details, such as deferred gain, realized gain, and the adjusted basis of the new property. Once you enter all the details and click on Finish, assets are exchanged.
You can access the Like-Kind wizard either in the Disposition screen (Screen 17) or the Depreciation screen (Screen 22). You can use this feature only in the interactive mode.
5. Missing Client Data Utility
In many cases, clients forget to send a data point that is essential for filing tax returns. This feature enables tax preparers to identify and tag missing data fields, so they can be sent to clients. You can go to the client details tab and right-click on the missing data field and select Missing Data to tag it.
Moreover, you can tag data fields that are not missing but would need review in the future, such as premiums for health insurance. You can see all the tagged fields in the Missing Data section in the Tools tab. You can simply select the tagged fields you want to send to the client, fill in the email address, and click Send. After entering the missing data, once it comes from the client, you can clear the missing data tag.
6. Partner Search Acceleration
Firms often need to manage partnership returns, which means handling multiple partners with individual allocations, ownership percentages, and financial details. With the Partner Search feature, tax preparers can conveniently locate any partner’s information. You can navigate to Screen 7 of Lacerte to view information about all partners simultaneously.
You can click on the Search field and enter any input to find the partner’s list. This feature is also helpful when filling out K-1 forms, and you can select the partner easily from the Search option.
7. Interactive User Interface
Lacerte’s user interface is designed for easy adoption for first-time users. It is a customizable platform where you can edit fields and columns to suit your tax process. Moreover, different tabs, such as clients, details, and forms, help tax preparers easily navigate the application.
8. Split Screen and Dual Monitor Support
While preparing returns, tax professionals often need to juggle between multiple sources of information, such as financial statements, supporting documents, and prior-year returns. Lacerte offers split-screen and dual-monitor support to fast-track tax filing. You can enter data in the fields and simultaneously view it being populated in the forms.
9. Superior Multi-user Performance
Lacerte enables multiple users to work on the application without any decline in performance. It is essential, especially during tax season, when multiple tax preparers are simultaneously working on the application, to meet deadlines.
10. Seamless Integration with the Intuit Ecosystem
Lacerte, being a part of the Intuit family, integrates seamlessly with other Intuit products, such as QuickBooks Desktop, Intuit Tax Advisor, Tax Analyzer, and eSignature, enabling a two-way data sync and automated workflows. For example, its integration with QuickBooks enables accountants to import financial data such as income, expenses, and transactions directly into the tax return.
Moreover, Lacerte integrates with some third-party applications, such as SmartVault, enabling tax professionals to create a comprehensive tax ecosystem.
Run Lacerte with 99.99% uptime, bank-level security, 45-day backups, and 24/7/365 support—tailored for your firm’s tax workflow needs.
Get More Value From Lacerte With the Right Cloud Setup
Lacerte offers a powerful set of features that can help tax professionals reduce manual work, improve accuracy, streamline collaboration, and manage day-to-day workflows more efficiently. From return preparation to review and client coordination, these capabilities support a more organized and productive practice.
To build on these benefits, firms can also host Lacerte in the cloud. Cloud hosting adds secure remote access, multi-user collaboration, stronger data protection, and reduced dependence on in-house IT infrastructure. For firms looking for a more tailored environment, providers like Ace Cloud Hosting offer customized Lacerte cloud solutions designed around specific business needs, along with flexible pricing options.
Ace Cloud Hosting also offers a free trial of its Lacerte-hosted cloud platform, allowing firms to explore the setup before making a move. With 99.99% uptime, bank-level data security, 45-day backups, unlimited add-on integrations, and 24/7/365 support, it provides a flexible and dependable way to run Lacerte in the cloud.
