Stand-Alone Client Manager

Updated: 2024-10-10

Do you work alone? Do you use TaxCycle on just one computer? Do you want to keep the Client Manager private from others on your network? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you will want to set up a stand-alone Client Manager.

1. To get started, click on Set up a server the first time you run the Client Manager, or open the Setup Wizard (learn more in the First-Time Client Manager Setup help topic).
   
2. Give the server a name. TaxCycle creates a name for you based on your computer name, but you can change this.
3. If the Client Manager will only ever be accessed from this computer and you never need anyone to connect to it, check Create a standalone/private server. This makes it undiscoverable to other computers running TaxCycle on the same network.
4. Click Next. 
   
5. Choose which folders the Client Manager should monitor for changes. The wizard automatically shows the list of the folders set in Folder Options where you save your tax returns. Review the list and make any changes: 
   1. Check (or clear) the Subfolders box next to any folder to monitor (or stop monitoring) subfolders within a folder.
   2. Add more folder locations by clicking the Add folder button. These should be folders on the same computer where you are setting up the Client Manager. The Client Manager can also find and carry forward prior-year files from competitor software, so make sure those folders are in the list.
   3. Remove existing locations by clicking once on a folder in the list and then clicking the Remove folder button.
   4. Click the Reset folders button to pull the list of folders from the Files and Folders options.
6. Click Next.
   
7. Your stand-alone client manager server is now ready to start. Review the settings.
8. Leave the Index tax returns after starting box checked so that the Client Manager will begin populating the database right away. Depending on the number of files, it may take several minutes before you can begin searching the Client Manager for files.
9. The setup wizard automatically sets up the server to pass through Windows firewall. However, this is generally not necessary if you run TaxCycle in a stand-alone setup.
10. Click Back if you need to return to a previous screen.
11. Click Start to start the Client Manager.