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Exporting Tax Preparations to Drake - Step By Step Guide (2026)

This article will walk you through everything you need to know when exporting tax preparations to Drake.

The Drake <> Juno integration works by loading macros directly into Drake, which then enter your client's data automatically.

Important Note for Free Trial Users:

Prior to exporting to your Drake instance, you'll need to complete your free trial period. During your customer onboarding meeting, a member of our team will:

  • Share the integration app download link with you
  • Guide you step-by-step through connecting your tax software
  • Ensure you're fully set up and ready to start exporting with Juno

Video Instructions

Prefer to see a video? Click here for an updated walkthrough of the export to Drake.

Required Settings Configuration in Drake

Important Note: This step only needs to be done once.

Click "Setup" in the top left part of the screen.

Then, select "Options" from the dropdown which will show the following popup:

 

Important Note: You must ensure that the "Activate W-2 wage..." setting is unchecked.

Additionally, "Display warning for missing required field" must be set to Never.

Please also ensure that "Use grid data entry format on available screens" is checked.

Next click the "Calculation & View/Print" Tab and ensure that the "Audible notification of calculation error messages" is unchecked and "Pause Option for Calculation" dropdown is set to "After View or Print Only" (per Drake's guidance in this KB Article they have publicly shared):


Configuring Your Drake File Paths

Important Note: This section only applies to firms using the Drake Macros export flow. If your firm exports to Drake a different way, you can skip this step.

Firms using Drake Macros can now set file paths for the current and prior tax year at the same time, so no swapping required.

You'll set this up in the Drake Configuration modal, which shows up in two places:

  • During your firm's initial Drake onboarding
  • Anytime afterward by clicking "Change Drake Location" in the top right of the Juno Integration App.

The modal shows a separate container for each tax year: one for the current year (e.g. "2025 Drake Folder") and one for the prior year (e.g. "2024 Drake Folder").

Each container includes:

  • A "Select a path" dropdown listing the file paths Juno automatically detected for that tax year
  • A "Choose a different path" option, which opens your file browser so you can pick a path manually

Once at least one path is set, click "Save" to apply your selections. These paths apply firm-wide, not just to your individual login.

Step 1: Open Drake and Select Your Client

Launch the Drake application and open the tax return for the client you want to export. Your Drake app should look similar to this:

Step 2: Open Juno and Select Your Client

After the return is open in Drake, open the Juno application in the same window as your Drake instance and select the client you want to export.

Step 3: Scan for Existing Documents

After selecting the client you'll see the below screen. Click "Scan for existing documents" to begin scanning your client's return in Drake. If this is a completely new client or one without carryover data, you can skip this step by clicking "Skip for now." 

 

Important Note: Do not touch your mouse or keyboard while Juno performs this scan. The scan is important for avoiding duplicate information in Drake, especially for returning clients, pro-forma returns, and prior year carryovers. 

Step 4: Close the Client's Return in Drake

Once the scan is complete, close the client's return in Drake. Your screen should look similar to this:

Step 5: Complete Form Mappings in Juno

You'll return to the Juno Integration App and the screen will have updated. For each document, click the dropdown in the "Action" column.

Within this column you'll see a few options:

  • Add — Creates a new form in Drake and inputs the validated data into it.
  • Skip — Skips the document when you export.
  • Index — Directs Juno to navigate to the specified document and input the validated data there.

Important Note: Add is selected by default. Depending on the client data in Drake, there may be multiple options to index a form to. Please review this step carefully.

Step 6: Click "Export to Drake" — Pre-Macro Load Instructional Modal

Once all forms are configured, click "Export to Drake." A modal will appear before any export begins.

Important Note: At this point, no Drake return should be open. This is required for the macros to load correctly.

Review the instructions in the modal. When you're ready and have confirmed no Drake return is open, click "Proceed, No Return Open" to begin preparing the export.

If you need to cancel, click "Cancel Export" or the "X" in the upper right corner of the modal. This will stop the process entirely and no macros will load. You can restart at any time by clicking "Export to Drake" again.

Step 7: Export Preparation

After clicking "Proceed, No Return Open," Juno will begin preparing the data for export. If preparation takes a moment, a loading indicator will appear. You can cancel at any time by clicking "Cancel Export" or the "X" icon. This will stop the preparation process.

Step 8: Open Drake and Your Client's Return — Ready to Export Modal

Once the export is ready, the Ready to Export Instructional Modal will appear.

Open Drake and open the tax return for the client you are exporting.

Once the return is open in Drake, click "Proceed, Return is Open" in the Juno modal.

If no return is detected when you click proceed, Juno will notify you. Open the appropriate return in Drake and try again.

If you need to cancel, click "Cancel Export" or the "X" icon. No macros will be loaded.

Step 9: Export Runs

Juno will now load the macros into the open return and begin entering your client's data. Do not type, move your mouse, or do anything on your computer during this time.

Step 10: Export Complete

Once the export is complete, the Export Successful + Preparation Checklist modal will display. You can now view all imported data in Drake.

Preparation Checklist

Now that Juno has exported the majority of data to your Drake instance, you can use the Preparation Checklist to make sure all additional fields that Juno does not export to Drake get added. Click here to learn more about how to use the Preparation Checklist.

Still have a question?

Email us at support@juno.tax. We're happy to help!