Using Drake without the Filed App (Rightworks)

Last updated: March 25, 2026

These instructions explain the end-to-end process for CPA firms and tax professionals to upload client data to Filed AI Prep, receive a completed tax return, and restore it back into Drake for final review and filing.

How to Upload and Retrieve Drake Backup Files Using the Filed AI Prep Platform

PART 1: Preparing Files for Upload to Filed AI Prep

  1. Create an Drake Backup File (2025 Pro Forma)

    1. Open Drake.

    2. Go to File Maintenance - open drop down.

    3. Go to Backup.

    4. Select Backup to local or network location (select a secure location).

    5. Click Backup to complete the process.

    6. Navigate to the file location to confirm the backup file was successfully created.

    7. Alternatively, if the client is not from PY, you must create the client first.

  1. Gather Required Documents for Upload

    1. Upload the following items to the Filed AI Prep platform:
      - Prior-year (2024) tax return (PDF)
      - All 2025 tax documents, organizers, and supporting forms

PART 2: Starting Filed AI Tax Prep

Filed AI Prep will prepare the 2025 tax return using the information provided.

Once completed:

  • You will receive an email and/or in-app notification.

  • The status will update to “Data Entry Completed” (green).

PART 3: Downloading and Restoring the Completed Backup File

  1. Download the File

    1. Go to Tax Prep > your client.

    2. Click on the Output tab.

    3. Select View Backups to download the "Prepared by Filed" version.

    4. Click Download to retrieve completed Drake backup file.

      1. Note: If your team ever need to revert to the original version, you can download the "Sync by Filed" version (the earliest version at the bottom).

  1. Save to Accessible Data Location

    1. Unzip or extract the downloaded file as needed.

    2. Save the file to a data location accessible within your Drake cloud hosting environment.

  2. Restore the Backup File in Drake

    1. Open Drake.

    2. Click Tools (drop down) > then File Maintenance > then Import Client File.

    3. Select the correct data location.

    4. Choose the client(s).

    5. It will ask if you are sure because it already exists - click YES.

    6. It will ask if you want to open in data entry - click YES.

  3. Review and Finalize

    1. Open the restored client in Drake and complete your review to finalize the return.