Truss OCR Prep: GruntWorx Integration Flow for Lacerte

Overview

Truss Prep integrates with GruntWorx to:

• Download a Lacerte pro forma

• Send documents for OCR and data extraction

• Return an Excel file that populates data directly into Lacerte

This workflow reduces manual data entry while maintaining reviewer control.

Account Setup Requirements

Firm Requirements

• The same tax software must be selected in Truss Org Settings and used for prep

• GruntWorx Agent installed on at least one Windows machine with:

  • Lacerte installed

  • Microsoft Excel installed

• GruntWorx works with one tax prep software at a time

  • If your firm uses multiple prep platforms, you must uninstall and reinstall the agent when switching
    ​

Entity Requirements (Critical)

Each Truss entity must have:

• A Client ID that exactly matches the Lacerte Client Number

• Case-sensitive matching if letters are used

• A linked taxpayer with name and SSN matching Lacerte

⚠️ If the entity is not linked correctly:

• Download Pro Forma will fail

• An alert will appear in Truss

   

High Level Workflow

1. Link Truss project to the correct entity (with Lacerte Client ID)

2. Download the Lacerte Pro Forma from Truss

3. Send Pro Forma + documents to Truss Prep (OCR)

4. GruntWorx processes the files and returns an Excel output

5. Download and unblock the Excel file

6. Run Populate to push data into Lacerte

7. Validate populated data in Lacerte

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Truss Project

• Open the project in Truss

• Confirm it is linked to an entity with:

  • Client ID matching what appears in Lacerte

    • This is case sensitive

  • Matching taxpayer identifiers

Step 2: Download Pro Forma

1. Click Download Pro Forma (gear icon or Truss Prep panel)

2. Save the file locally (defaults to Client ID as filename)

3. Open the Pro Forma file

Step 3: Submit to Truss Prep (OCR)

1. In the project, select Send to Truss Prep

2. Choose OCR

3. Confirm:

   • Pro Forma file is attached

   • Supporting documents (W-2s, 1099s, scans) are included

4. Submit

Behind the scenes:

• Truss sends files to GruntWorx

• GruntWorx OCRs and prepares an Excel output for Lacerte

Step 4: Monitor Status

• View status in the Truss Prep Requests panel:

  • Ready status indicates the file is ready for download

View status in the Truss Prep Requests panel:

• Ready status indicates the file is ready for download

Ready status indicates the file is ready for download

⚠️ If a job remains stuck in Processing, contact support.

Step 5: Download Processed Output

Once complete:

1. In the Truss Prep Requests dashboard click Download

2. Right click and extract the ZIP file

3. Save the file locally or save to the Populate folder created by the Agent: Local Disk (C:) > Users > (username) > Documents > GruntWorx > populate.

You will receive:

• Pointsheet Excel file

• Bookmarked PDF

Step 6: Windows & Excel Security (Required)

The Excel file contains macros and must be unblocked.

Unblock in Windows

1. Right-click the Excel file

2. Select Properties

3. Check Unblock

4. Click Apply → OK

Enable in Excel

1. Open the file

2. Click Enable Editing

3. Click Enable Content

Step 7: Review & Populate Data

1. Review the diagnostics/summary tab in Excel

2. Resolve any fields marked with X

   1. Any field with an 'X' will not populate into the tax return

3. Ensure:

   • Lacerte is open

   • Correct client is selected

4. Click Populate

   1. GruntWorx will write data into the Lacerte tax return for that client ID.

5. Verify populated data in Lacerte (W-2s, 1099s, etc.)

   1. In Lacerte, open relevant input screens to confirm data has been populated

✅ Congratulations on using Truss Prep OCR!