User's Manual - Drake Software

Drake Software User’s Manual
E-filing a Return
multiple workstations for data entry, each workstation must adjust (“stagger”) its DCN
counter.
IMPORTANT
Stagger the starting DCNs before creating 2012 returns.
To stagger the DCNs, complete the following steps on each workstation:
1. From the Home window, go to Setup > Firm(s).
2. Double-click the firm, or select it and click Edit Firm. The bottom half of Firm
Setup becomes active.
3. Change the DCN serial number (Figure 8-4). Drake suggests choosing starting
DCNs that are at least 2,000 numbers apart.
Figure 8-4: DCN Serial Number field in Firm Setup
4. Click Save to save changes, or click Cancel to exit without saving changes.
Depending on the amount chosen to stagger the numbers, each workstation now produces
DCNs based on a different starting number. For example, if you chose to stagger
by 2,000 with the first computer starting at 01000, the second computer would start at
03000, the third at 05000, and so on. In this case, each computer can process 2,000
returns before duplicating a DCN.
CAUTION
Be careful if changing DCNs after tax season begins and returns
have already been transmitted. If DCN staggering is done improperly,
returns might be processed with duplicate DCNs, causing e-file
rejections.
Changing a
DCN
When a return receives an IRS rejection because the same DCN was assigned to more
than one taxpayer, the DCN must be changed before you can re-transmit the return.
To change the DCN of a tax return:
1. In data entry for the return, press CTRL+M and wait while the program assigns a
new DCN.
2. Click View to go to View mode, where you can check Form 8879 to verify that the
DCN has been changed.
Tax Year 2012 235