All HandiSoft programs use a common client database file. This file contains the unique client reference code, which each program relies on to link information across the databases.
Except for prior year HandiTax programs, all programs use the current year client database file as the central file. For example, the current year file is named Clients.25.
HandiTax 2025 and HandiTax 2024 use Clients.25 and Clients.24. Each year, all programs except prior year HandiTax roll forward to use the current year Clients file.
HandiTax is the exception because it contains the forms needed to lodge older returns. This means it continues to use the matching Clients.NN file for the return year
Caution: We strongly suggest that you do not delete clients. Use the option to mark clients as current or non-current instead. If any documents exist in the Client Portal folder for that client, they cannot be recovered once the client is deleted.
If you want to remove a client who has left and is not expected to be back, use only Practice Manager - Contact to delete them. If you do not use that module you will need to use the HandiSoft, which is installed automatically if you have not purchased Practice Manager - Contact. Both these programs can be accessed from shortcut icons on your desktop. Otherwise, use file explorer to navigate to the HSoft/Apps directory, then double-click the HCTnn.exe file.
Important Notes:
We strongly suggest that you don't delete clients; however, if you need to delete them, we recommend that you use Practice Manager - Contact /HandiSoft. This is because the incorrect deletion of clients and their data can result in hidden data. If in the future, the deleted client's reference code is reused for a new client, the hidden data will attach to the new client, causing the new client's data to be incorrect.
Practice Manager - Contact or HandiSoft, will correctly delete the client's data in all the HandiSoft programs and the client's record.
Practice Manager - Contact can only delete current year program data, and the client's prior year HandiTax data and records will have to be deleted separately using that year's HandiTax program.
Before making any changes, we strongly recommend that you make appropriate backups of your data, in case problems arise and you need to restore your data. Only delete once all other users have exited their HandiSoft programs.
Delete the client in Practice Manager - Contact or HandiSoft
Log in to Practice Manager - Contact or HandiSoft.
Go to Client, View.
Highlight the client you wish to delete, then click Delete.
Click OK to remove all the client's information in all HandiSoft products.
Delete the client without using Practice Manager - Contact or HandiSoft
Be sure to exercise extreme caution, as this is not the preferred way. Ensure that you have a working backup. The first step in deleting your client record is to delete the client data.
Delete the client's data in prior year HandiTax programs
In each of the prior year HandiTax program:
Log in to HandiTax.
Go to Client, Clients / TaxForms.
Highlight the client, then click Tax Forms.
Highlight the last form of this client and click Delete on the bottom row buttons.
You will be prompted to confirm the deletion of this client's form. Click OK.
Repeat steps 4-5 until all tax forms are deleted.
If you require a bulk deletion procedure, the Professional Services team can process this request as a paid-for service. Contact the team on 1800-660-670.