e-File Atlas

Bank Products Workflow

The following details the steps and workflow process using the Lacerte tax program with Republic Bank software. The steps in blue are done in the Lacerte program, the steps in black are done in the Republic Bank software.

1. Prepare the tax return using the Lacerte tax program.

2. Go to Screen 4.4, e-file Miscellaneous then select the first or second option from the Refund Anticipation Loan Return field.

3. Validate, Create, and Send the e-file return in the Lacerte tax software program.

4. When the return is transmitted, a #.LFD file is created in the  ?:\Lacerte\07Tax\Idata\RefundsN folder, where ? refers to the drive letter where the data files are located. This file contains the contents of the tax return. The Lacerte software program does not transmit any files directly to the bank.  The #.LFD file will be sent to the bank using your bank software and is controlled by you as the tax preparer.

5. The next step is to open the Republic Bank Software, click "Enter App" and enter the taxpayer application information, which then creates the file.

6. After the application has been created or modified, it must then be printed.

7. The next step is to click the "File Transfer" button, which replaced the "Call Bank" button in prior year versions of the bank software. This will transfer files from the Lacerte tax program to the Republic Bank software program.

8. It is very important that the Bank software data path settings match those used by the Lacerte software.  If they do not, Republic Bank will not receive the files. If this occurs you will need to call Republic Bank which can then send an updated configuration file.

Example:

Both the drive letter and the paths must appear as this and match for the process to work correctly. NOTE: Do NOT manually add REFUNDSN to the end of your existing Lacerte data path. The bank software looks for the REFUNDSN folder under the IDATA folder, which is automatically created by the Lacerte program. 

9.  Once you have verified that the data paths are set correctly, click "Connect Via Internet" which will transfer the files in the REFUNDSN folder to the bank.

10. When you connect in the Lacerte program to receive acks, the REFUNDSN folder will be updated with #.LAC files. These are return acknowledgments for e-filed returns that were designated as Republic Bank Product returns using the Screen 4.4 selection mentioned above.

11. When the Republic Bank software is opened and "Connect Via Internet" is selected, this will pull the #.LAC files from the Lacerte program REFUNDSN folder and will update this information with the bank. From this point the cycle will repeat itself.

As a quick recap,  1. Create the e-file return in Lacerte. 2. Designate as a Republic Bank return in Screen 4.4.  3. Validate, create, and send the e-file return using the Lacerte program. 4. The Lacerte program creates an #.LFD file, used by Republic bank in the application process. 5. Open the Republic Bank software, click "Enter App", and create the file. 6. Create or modify the application, then print. 7. Click the "File Transfer" button, which transfers files from Lacerte to Republic Bank software. 8. The directory paths in the Lacerte and Republic Bank software must match as shown above. 9. Click "Connect Via Internet" to connect to the bank and send the files.

10. When the Lacerte program connects to receive acks, your Republic Bank ack files #.LAC fill be placed in the REFUNDSN folder. 11. Connect in the bank software which will pull the LAC files and send to the bank.

What the Lacerte program does:

1. Creates the tax return.

2  Specifies the return as a Republic Bank return using settings in Screen 4.4.

3. Validates, creates, and sends the return to the taxing agency, using the E-file wizard.

4. Creates a REFUNDSN folder where the *.LFD and *.LAC files are contained.

5. Forwards the return to the taxing agency, and provides return acknowledgments and status on the return.         

What the Lacerte program does NOT do:

1. Lacerte does not create the bank application form.

2. Lacerte does not transmit any files to the bank.

3. Lacerte does not print applications or checks. 

4. Lacerte does not set the tax return or acknowledgment path in the bank software.

5. Lacerte does not transfer files to the bank software.

Please refer additional questions to Republic Bank