Record locks in BrightTax prevent two users from editing the same client record or task at the same time. When a record is locked, other users will see a lock notification and will not be able to save changes until the lock is released. This article explains how locks work, how to identify them, and how to remove them.

A record lock is created automatically when a user opens a task or client record in Edit mode. This prevents conflicting changes being made by two users simultaneously. Locks are released automatically when the user saves and closes the record.

Locks can sometimes persist beyond their intended lifespan — for example, if a user's session ends unexpectedly (browser crash, network disconnection) without the record being properly saved and closed. In these cases, the lock must be manually removed.

From the May 2026 update, if you receive a lock notification when saving an ITR subschedule, you can click Save again to retry without needing to refresh the page. BrightTax will retry the save automatically each time — the notification will reappear if the lock is still active, or the save will succeed if the lock has been released.

Administrators can view and remove all active locks from System Settings:

1. Click the cog icon in the top-right corner of BrightTax to open System Settings.
2. Go to System > Record Locks.
3. The Record Locks screen shows all currently active locks, including which user holds each lock and which record or task is locked.
4. To remove a specific lock, select the relevant record in the list and click Delete Selected Record Locks.
5. To remove all locks at once, click Delete All Locks.

For a fast resolution when you just need to clear all locks — for example, at the start of the working day or after a system issue — you can remove all locks in a single step:

1. Click the cog icon to open System Settings.
2. Go to System > Record Locks.
3. Click Delete All Locks.

I keep receiving a lock notification on an ITR subschedule

• Check whether another user in your organisation has the same return open in Edit mode.
• Ask them to save and close their session, then click Save again on your screen.
• If no other user is editing the return, the lock may be stale — an administrator can remove it from System Settings > Record Locks.

I cannot access a client record — it says it is locked

• Another user is currently editing that record. Ask them to save and close it.
• If the user is not actively editing (e.g. their session crashed), an administrator can remove the lock from System Settings > Record Locks.

Q: Do I need administrator access to remove record locks?

A: Yes. The Record Locks screen in System Settings is only accessible to users with administrator permissions in BrightTax.

Q: Will deleting all locks cause any data loss?

A: If a user is actively editing a record when their lock is deleted, any unsaved changes in their session may be lost. Always check that no one is actively working on a locked record before deleting all locks.

Q: How do I prevent locks from building up?

A: Encourage all users to save and close tasks and records before leaving their desk or ending their session. Avoid leaving records open in Edit mode when not actively working on them.