When you create a new Partnership Tax Return for a partnership that already has a return from the previous tax year in BrightTax, you can roll forward the data from that return. This saves time by pre-populating the new return with prior year data as a starting point, including partner details and income structure.

When you create a new PTR task and a prior year return exists for the same partnership, a prompt appears immediately after task creation:

• Click OK to roll forward — prior year data is copied into the new return.
• Click Cancel to start with a blank return.

The roll forward copies the following from the prior year return:

• Partnership details — UTR, trade details, and accounting period structure
• Linked partners and their share percentages
• Supplementary page structure — the same income pages are included
• Prior year income figures — as a starting point only

The roll forward does not:

• Automatically update any figures to reflect the current year
• Guarantee rolled forward figures are correct for the new period
• Carry forward submission history from the prior year

After a roll forward, work through each section of the return systematically:

1. Review and update all income figures on the SA800 for the current year.
2. Go to the Partners tab and confirm each partner's share percentage is still correct — shares may have changed.
3. Re-run the income allocation to ensure the current year income is distributed correctly based on current shares.
4. Review the supplementary pages and update any figures that have changed.
5. Run Check and Calculate to validate the updated return.

Q: A new partner has joined the partnership this year — how do I add them after a roll forward?

A: Go to the Partners tab in the Summary, click Add Partner, and search for the new partner. Adjust all partner share percentages to reflect the updated arrangement and re-run the income allocation.

Q: A partner has left the partnership this year — how do I remove them after a roll forward?

A: Go to the Partners tab, find the departing partner, and remove them from the return. Adjust the remaining partners' shares to total 100% and re-run the allocation.

Q: I rolled forward but the prior year figures look completely wrong — what should I do?

A: The rolled forward figures are based on whatever was saved in the prior year return. If that return contained errors, those errors will carry forward. Update all figures for the current year and do not rely on rolled forward amounts without checking them first.