Locking/unlocking returns using System Release

This support note applies to:

AE Tax (AU)

Article ID: 29556

In MYOB Accountants Enterprise (AE) Tax you may have a locked tax return which you now need to access.

A tax return is generally only locked if it has been previously exported but has not yet been re-imported back into the Tax database. The lock is activated on exporting to ensure that the integrity of the data in the return is maintained until the return is re-imported with any changes that may have been made. Once the return is re-imported the return is unlocked and able to be accessed.

MYOB strongly advises that you first check if the return has been exported prior to unlocking the return. If you would like to import the tax return refer to

Locking/unlocking returns using System Release

To manually lock a return

Start AE Tax. The Select Return window appears.
Highlight the return that you want to lock. The return is highlighted.
Follow the menu path: Utilities > Unlock/Lock Return. The Lock/Unlock Returns window opens.

If the Enter Master Password window appears, type your password and press ENTER. The default password is ASSERT.
Select the Single Return option from the Selection area to only lock the specified return. The option is selected.

The Lock option is already selected in the Options section.

The Batch option in the Selection area enables you to select a batch of returns that you want to lock. The Range option enables you to select a range of returns that you want to lock.
Click OK. A padlock appears next to the return in the Select Return window.

The return is now locked and cannot be open.

To manually unlock a return

Perform the following instructions to manually unlock and access a tax return.

A locked return might indicate that the return has been exported. If this is the case, making any changes to the return and then re-importing the return, will result in any changes that you made being overwritten.

Open AE Tax. The Select Return window appears.
Highlight the return that you want to unlock. The return is highlighted.
Follow the menu path: Utilities > Unlock/Lock return. The Lock/Unlock Returns window opens.

If the Enter Master Password window appears, type your password and press ENTER. The default password is ASSERT.
Select the Single Return option in the Selection area to only unlock the specified return. The option is selected.

The Unlock option is already selected in the Options section.

The Batch option in the Selection area and enables you to select a batch of returns that you want to unlock. The Range option enables you to select a range of returns that you want to unlock.
Click OK. The padlock disappears from the return in the Select Return window.

The return is now unlocked and can be opened.