Using UltraTax CS without the Filed App (Thomson Reuters or Rightworks)

Last updated: February 11, 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 UltraTax CS for final review and filing.

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

PART 1: Preparing Files for Upload to Filed AI Prep

  1. Create an UltraTax CS Backup File (2025 Pro Forma)

    1. Open UltraTax CS.

    2. Open the desired client.

    3. Click File.

    4. Select Backup.

    5. Choose the client (or additional clients, if applicable).

    6. Select a secure location to save the backup file.

    7. Click Backup to complete the process.

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

  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

Please note: The 2025 proforma’ed UltraTax CS backup file can be manually uploaded after you click "Start Prep," there will be an upload button to submit the UT backup file.

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 UltraTax CS 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 UltraTax CS cloud hosting environment.

  2. Restore the Backup File in UltraTax CS

    1. Open UltraTax CS.

    2. Click File.

    3. Select Restore.

    4. Select the correct data location.

    5. Choose the client(s).

    6. Click Restore.

    7. Select Yes to All when prompted.

  3. Review and Finalize

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