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1994 AM-TAX REGISTRATION FORM Name: ____________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________ :__________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________ State: ______ Zip: ___________ Phone: _________________________ [ ] Registration only ......................... @ $ 20.00 $ ______ (acknowledges use of the AM-Tax shareware version to do your 1994 tax return; entitles you to phone support and annual updates at registered rates.) [ ] Personal AM-Tax Registration............... @ $ 39.00 $ ______ (1994 program disk and manual with 66 forms, schedules, and worksheets, graphic 1040 on dot-matrix and laser printers, overlay printing, telephone support and updates for about $29 per year.) [ ] Professional AM-Tax Registration........... @ $150.00 $ ______ (1994 program disk and manual with over 70 forms, client instruction letter, invoice, tax organizer; saves 500 returns per disk.) [ ] Federal 1120 program....................... @ $150.00 $ ______ [ ] Federal 1065 & 1120S program............... @ $150.00 $ ______ [ ] 1994 State Tax programs .................. @ $ 29.00 ea $ ______ (AVAILABLE ONLY WITH ANY FEDERAL 1040 REGISTRATION) (AR AZ CA CO CT DC GA IL IN KS KY MA MD MI MN MO NC NJ NY OH OK PA SC VA WI) Laser printing, personal electronic filing, professional electronic filing, business tax software (1120/1120S/1065) are also available. Call or write for details. Missouri residents, add 6.725% sales tax...........Tax $ ______ TOTAL $ ______ Payment by: [ ] Check [ ] MC [ ] Visa [ ] Discover Card #: ________ - ________ - ________ - ________ Expires: ____/____ Signature of cardholder: ____________________________________________ Diskette size needed >>>>> [ ] 5.25" DSDD [ ] 3.5" (720K) <<<<< --------------------------------------------------------------------------- AM SOFTWARE P.O. Box 25010 Kansas City, MO 64119 Telephone MC/VISA/Discover orders: (800) 859-8537 PRICES VALID UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1, 1995 1.0 AM-TAX - 1994 FEDERAL 1040 SOFTWARE - INTRODUCTION AM-Tax is a copyrighted ((C) 1986 - 1994) property of AM SOFTWARE, Inc. It is not in the public domain and it is not free. There are three versions of AM-Tax. The "shareware" version prepares a complete tax return consisting of Form 1040 and Schedules A, B, C, D, E, EIC, F, R, SE. All of the forms and schedules (including the 1040) print in a format that can be filed directly with the IRS. The "Personal" version includes more forms and features and requires approximately 510K of available memory and two drives or a hard drive. The AM-Tax "Professional" software supports more forms and includes features to print mailing labels, instruction and invoice letters, and a tax organizer. The Professional version requires 530K of available memory and a hard drive. An "Electronic Filing" version is available that allows a tax preparer to transmit tax returns to the IRS by modem. Non-registered users are granted a limited license to use the shareware version of AM-Tax on a trial basis to determine if it meets their tax preparation needs. However, if you use AM-Tax to organize, draft, or prepare your tax return or to prepare tax returns for others, you are trusted to register your use of the program. Registration includes telephone support and annual updates at a very modest cost. All users (including electronic bulletin board sysops, user group librarians, and public domain or shareware distributors) are granted permission to copy the SHAREWARE version of AM-Tax for the trial use of others subject to the following conditions: o Advertising, catalogs, etc. must clearly indicate that this is the "shareware" version of AM-Tax. o AM-Tax must be copied in unmodified form, complete with the file containing this registration information and documentation. o Except for a small fee to cover the cost of copying and handling (under $6), no other cost or compensation may be associated with the distribution of AM-Tax. If a fee is charged, the distributor must inform the purchaser that the fee does not meet their registration responsibilities. o AM-Tax may not be distributed free in conjunction with any other product without the written consent of AM SOFTWARE, Inc. AM Software is not associated with any shareware distributor and receives no compensation from the sale of shareware diskettes. Purchasing a shareware diskette does not constitute registration with AM Software. Non-shareware versions of AM-Tax may NOT be copied for the use of others under any circumstances. AM-Tax is your assistant in preparing your tax return. It will save you a lot of time, but it does not offer advice. You are the one responsible for deciding whether you should file a return, which forms you need, and for the figures entered and calculated on your return. The formulas in this software program have been carefully checked and we believe that they are correct. However, the tax laws are complex and at times vague. In some cases your special circumstances may not be properly handled by the program's calculations. You are the one ultimately responsible for the numbers on the form. Inspect them before signing your return. 2.0 TAX FORMS SUPPORTED The 1994 SHAREWARE version of AM-Tax supports: Form 1040 Schedule A Schedule B Schedule C (5 copies) Schedule D Schedule E (30 rentals, 20 partnerships/S-Corps, 2 trusts) Schedule EIC Schedule F (3) Schedule R Schedule SE (2) Form W-2 (25) Form W-2G (3) Form 1099R (15) The following additional forms are supported in the "PERSONAL", and "PROFESSIONAL" versions of the program: Form 1040A Form 4835 Form 1040EZ Form 4868 Form 1040ES Form 4952 Form 1116 (10) Form 4972 (2) Form 2106 (2) Form 5329 (2) Form 2119 Form 6251 Form 2210 Form 6252 (10) Form 2210F Form 8283 (3) Form 2441 Form 8453 Form 2555 (2) Fomr 8582 Form 3800 Form 8606 (2) Form 3903 Form 8615 Form 4136 Form 8814 (5) Form 4137 (2) Form 8815 Form 4255 Form 8829 Form 4562 (12) Schedule 1 Form 4684 Schedule 2 Form 4797 Schedule 3 In addition to the above, the "PROFESSIONAL" version also includes: Form 1040X Form 8396 Form 3468 Form 8801 Form 4970 Form 8822 Form 8332 AM-Tax also supports many special worksheets to handle situations like taxable social security benefits, extra dependents or child care providers, extra capital gain transactions, etc. 3.0 GETTING STARTED To run the shareware version, you'll need an IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 or compatible; DOS 2.0 or later; at least 340K of available memory; two drives or a hard drive. Floppy Drive System: a) Insert the AM-Tax diskette into drive A. b) Insert a formatted, work diskette into drive B c) Start the program by typing: TAX94. Hard-Disk System: a) Insert the AM-Tax program disk into drive A. b) Type: A:INSTALL c) Follow the prompts on the installation procedure. d) Start the program by typing: TAX94. NOTE: All files provided on the program diskette should be kept together either in the same disk drive or subdirectory of your hard disk. Also, do not remove either the program diskette or the work diskette at any time during the execution of AM-Tax. 4.0 MAIN MENU AM-Tax begins with the following menu: --------------------------------------------- | MAIN MENU | | | | 1. WORK ON A TAX RETURN | | 2. PRINT TAX RETURN(S) | | *. CONVERT 1993 DATA TO 1994 FORMAT | | 4. SET SYSTEM OPTIONS | | 5. TAX FILE MAINTENANCE | | 6. GO TO STATE | | *. PERSONAL ELECTRONIC FILING | | Q. QUIT TO DOS | | | --------------------------------------------- Options marked with an "*" are supported only in Personal and Professional versions. They are not operational in the shareware version. 5.0 SET SYSTEM OPTIONS Default values are preset by AM-Tax for several important parameters. If the default values are incorrect for your system, then you must change them to insure proper operation of the software. 1. WHICH DRIVE/PATH FOR YOUR 1994 TAX RETURNS? AM-Tax needs to know where you want to save your tax returns. Enter the drive letter (and, optionally a path name for your hard drive). 2. WHICH DRIVE/PATH FOR TEMPORARY WORK SPACE? During the processing of a tax return, AM-Tax may need extra work space. This work space must be on a disk. If available, a RAM disk will speed up processing significantly. 3. WHICH DRIVE/PATH FOR YOUR 1993 TAX RETURNS? This parameter is not used in the shareware version. It is only used when transferring information from a 1993 return to the 1994 tax forms. This feature is found in the Personal or Professional version. 4. ROUND TO NEAREST WHOLE DOLLAR? You can either prepare your tax return in whole dollars or to the exact penny. Y means whole dollars; N means to the penny. 5. DISPLAY TAX FILE DESCRIPTION? A tax return can be tagged with an optional description which is normally displayed on the tax return directory. For faster directory displays, you can omit the description by answering NO. 6. AUTO SKIP TO NEXT INPUT FIELD? When an input field is completely filled, AM-Tax either automatically tabs to the next input field or waits for you to strike the "Enter" key. YES causes an automatic skip. 7. SORT TAX RETURN DIRECTORY? When selecting from a group of tax returns, AM-Tax sorts by filename, descending date/time, or ascending date/time, or not at all. No sorting results in the fastest directory display. 8. QUICK CURSOR THROUGH FORM W-2? The W-2 input screen contains several "info only" fields needed only if you are electronically filing your return. For quicker data entry, you can skip these fields by answering Y to this option. 9. SELECT COLORS FOR DISPLAY If you are using a color monitor, you can select the colors to use for background and various sections of the display screen. 10. TAX PREPARER INFORMATION Tax preparers can use this area to key in name, address, and tax id information once. AM-Tax will print it on page 2 of the Form 1040. 6.0 WORKING ON A TAX RETURN 6.1 SCREEN CONVENTIONS You should be aware of a few conventions used by AM-Tax when presenting a tax form on the computer screen. 1994 AM-Tax FORM 1040 (1) 04-15-95 11:59 --------------------------------------------------------- 7a. Your wages .................. 7a ==>* (2) 7b. Spouse's wages .............. 7b ==>* 7c. Dependent care benefits...... 7c ==>C 7d. Excess reimbursements........ 7d ==>C 7e. Unreported tips (Form 4137).. 7e ==>C 7. Total wages, salary, tips.... 7 ==>C (3) --------------------------------------------------------- (4) TAX = 1275.00 DUE = 419.00 (5) Pg 5 of 11 (6) F1 Help F2 Save... F10 Return (1) The Title Area Form names (such as Form 1040, Schedule A) appear here to indicate the form currently being displayed. (2) Supported Lines (*) Lines on the tax forms, schedules, or worksheets marked with an asterisk (*) are lines supported by another form, schedule or worksheet. You can access the supporting form either by pressing F6 when the cursor is on one of these lines or by selecting a supporting form from the F8 menu. When the asterisk displays bright, then a supporting form is active for that line of the tax return and you cannot enter figures directly into that line. As long as a supporting form is active, all information must be entered through the supporting form. If a form is accessed by mistake or no longer needed, it can be deleted. Many lines not marked with an asterisk may still be supported by a general worksheet (used for listing supporting detail). Try the F6 key on any line to see if a general worksheet is available. (3) Calculated/Checked Lines (C) Lines marked with a "C" are lines that are either calculated or checked for accuracy by AM-Tax. Normally, you cannot enter information into calculated fields because the cursor passes over those lines. However, if the cursor does stop on a line marked with a "C", then the calculation or check involves more complex assumptions. AM-Tax provides a way for you to "override" the calculations and checks for these fields. To override, move the cursor to the calculated line, press F9, and then enter the amount that you want to see in that line. (4) Status Line Messages indicating error, warning, or status conditions are reported on this line. Your current tax status (Tax, Refund or Balance Due, and Tax Bracket) is displayed here when there are no other messages to report. (5) Screen Page Number PAGE __ OF __ appears here if a tax form requires more than one screen page to display all lines. For example, 14 screens are required to display the entire Form 1040. You move sequentially from page to page using the PGUP and PGDN keys. You can go directly to a screen page by typing ALT- (number). (6) Function Keys AM-Tax uses function keys (F1 through F10) to control certain program operations such as recalculation, saving, and so on. The last line of the display screen always indicates the function keys that are active and their corresponding operation. The "help" key (F1) provides a more verbose, clearer description of the function key responsibilities. AM-Tax supports dollar values between -99,999.99 and +999,999.99. 6.2 ACCESSING A SUPPORTING SCHEDULE (F6 or F8) You'll notice that many lines on the tax form screens are marked with an asterisk (*). These lines are supported by another form, schedule, or specific worksheet. Supporting forms are accessed in either of two ways: 1) A supporting form can be added to your tax return by pressing the F6 key when the cursor is on the line that you want to support. AM-Tax "senses" where the cursor is located and knows which form, schedule, or worksheet supports that line. That form automatically appears on the screen. You then enter data into the supporting form. 2) The other way to access a supporting form is to select from a list of all tax forms supported by AM-Tax. The F8 key (or F5, 1) displays the tax form menu. Use the arrow keys to highlight the desired form, schedule, or worksheet and then press the ENTER key. That form is then attached to your tax return. This method is quicker if you know the form that you need. 6.3 ACCESSING MULTIPLE COPIES OF A FORM Multiple copies of some forms, schedules, or worksheets (such as Form W-2, Schedule C, and others) are supported by AM-Tax. When you access one of these forms (via F6 or F8), the following window appears: 1994 AM-Tax 04-15-95 11:59 --------------------------------------------------------- COPIES OF FORM W-2 EMPLOYER A New Copy New Copy New Copy Move cursor; press ENTER to ADD a new copy or VIEW existing one. -------------------------------------------------------- F0=Return AM-Tax identifies each copy of the form currently in use and displays the word "New Copy" for each available copy. To review one of the existing copies, move the cursor to the W-2 that you want displayed and press ENTER. To add a new copy of the form to your tax return, move the cursor to any of the lines marked "New Copy" and press ENTER. A blank form will be displayed on the screen. 6.4 GENERAL "ITEMIZING" WORKSHEETS Most lines not marked with an (*) can still be supported by general worksheet. This is a very handy way of organizing your data and keeping records for the IRS of key income and expense items. Up to 45 descriptions and dollar amounts can be listed on a single worksheet. AM-Tax adds up the dollar amounts and transfers the total to the line that you're "itemizing". 6.5 CALCULATING YOUR TAX (F4) AM-Tax does a complete recalculation of your tax return whenever you: o Press the F4 key; o Move to a new screen page (PGUP, PGDN, ALT-(number)) o Call up a supporting form, schedule, or worksheet; o Return to a parent form; o Override a calculated value; o Cancel an overridden value; o Delete a form, schedule, or worksheet; o Save the tax return to disk; On the bottom left of the display screen, AM-Tax reports a running total of your tax status based upon data currently entered into the computer. This information is updated and displayed whenever a tax recalculation takes place. Take advantage of this feature to quickly search for your lowest possible tax liability. 6.6 OVERRIDING CALCULATIONS (F9) Whenever calculations involve more than a trivial math operation, you are given the opportunity to override the AM-Tax logic. Basically, this means that you can override whenever the highlighted block stops on a line marked with a "C". Press the F9 key when the cursor is on the line that you want to override. The "C" changes to a bright "O" (for override) and you can now enter any value that you wish. AM-Tax uses your value in place of the calculated value in all further tax calculations. To cancel this type of override, press F9 again (it acts as a toggle). Notice that the bright "O" returns to a "C" and AM-Tax replaces the overriding value with the value it calculates. 6.7 THE POP-UP CALCULATOR (+) AM-Tax includes a built-in pop-up calculator. The calculator is activated by either pressing "+" (the plus key) or selecting option 5 from the F5 menu; When activated, the dollar value from the tax form line marked by the cursor is brought into the calculator as an initial entry value. If you return to the tax form by pressing F9, the calculator result is carried forward to the tax line. If you return to the tax form by pressing the F10 or ESC key, the result from the calculator is not carried forward. 6.8 DELETING A FORM If you've accessed a supporting form by mistake or if the supporting form is no longer needed, delete it by pressing ALT-D from any tax preparation screen. 6.9 SAVING THE TAX RETURN (F2) A tax return is saved by pressing F2 on any tax preparation screen or by selecting option #3 on the F5 menu. You are prompted for a disk drive and path (optional), a file name (required), and a description (optional). If a tax return file by the same name already exists on the disk, you have three options. You can: 1. Backup the existing tax return, then save. 2. Just write over the existing tax return. 3. Stop, so you can change the filename. 7.0 PRINTING/FILING A TAX RETURN (F7) AM-Tax supports several printing options (ALL ARE APPROVED BY THE IRS FOR FILING IN PLACE OF OFFICIAL FORMS). Substitute - (ALL versions) AM-Tax can print a substitute version of Form 1040 and all schedules on any computer printer. Graphic 1040 - (Personal and Pro only) AM-Tax prints Form 1040, 1040A, 1040X, and 8453 most IBM and Epson dot-matrix printers and HP-compatible Laserjet and Deskjet printers that more closely resembles the official form. Laser Forms - AM Software offers an optional software package (Federal $95, States $75 each) that can print an exact laser image of every form and schedule supported by AM-Tax. This software requires any HP LaserJet compatible printer and the "T" font cartridge. Pin-fed Forms - AM-Tax does not write directly onto the IRS supplied forms (they're not spaced evenly for computer printing). However, AM-Tax can print just tax return figures on special pre-printed computer forms. This printing feature is available with the Personal and Professional registrations. Overlays - AM-Tax can print your tax return figures on blank paper that can then be lined up behind the overlay and photocopied. The copy can be sent to the IRS. This printing feature is available with the Personal and Professional registrations. Pin-fed forms and overlays are not sold by AM Software. They can be purchased through: NELCO TAX FORMS, Inc. 3130 South Ridge Rd. Green Bay, WI 54307 (414) 337-1000 7.1 FILING YOUR RETURN WITH THE IRS The forms and schedules printed by AM-Tax (shareware version) have been approved for filing and will be accepted under these conditions: Paper Quality - The paper used must be equal to or better than the quality used for the official forms mailed to you. Use at least an 18-lb paper. Lined Paper - The substitute schedules, as printed by AM-Tax on regular paper, have enough alignment lines to meet IRS approval. However, if you have lined or color-barred paper, you should use it when printing substitute supporting schedules. Print Quality - For dot-matrix printers, use a good ribbon, especially if you choose to have AM-Tax print the graphic version of the Form 1040. Print Spacing - Your printer should be set to 6 lines per inch and 10 characters per inch. This is the default setting for most printers. 7.2 PRINT MENU 1994 AM-Tax 04-15-95 11:59 --------------------------------------------------------- PRINT MENU 1. Define Printer............ Epson 9-pin 2. Set Print Format Options.. Graphic,Subst 3. Print ALL Forms 4. Print SOME Forms 5. Print BLANK Forms -------------------------------------------------------- 0=Return DEFINE PRINTER - Use this option to indicate the type of printer that you'll be using. The current printer setting is displayed to the right. SET PRINTER FORMAT OPTIONS - This option controls the printing of the tax return. It's used to indicate things like the type of 1040 to print (draft, graphic, laser, overlay), the format for the substitute forms, number of copies, etc. The current setting for the 1040 format and supporting form format is displayed to the right. PRINT ALL FORMS - Press ENTER on this line to start printing ALL forms, schedules, and worksheets. PRINT SOME FORMS - If you press ENTER on this line, AM-Tax presents a list of all of the forms, schedules, and worksheets in the tax return. You must mark the ones to print. PRINT BLANK FORMS - You can print blank copies of any form or schedule supported by AM-Tax. 7.4 PRINT FORMATTING After selecting the tax return(s) to print, AM-Tax needs to know how you want your printed return to look. AM-Tax 04-15-95 11:59 --------------------------------------------------------- PRINT FORMAT OPTIONS 1. Form 1040 Format...................... 4 2. Form 8453 Format...................... 4 3. Other Forms Format?................... 1 4. Form W-2 Format (1=detail, 2=summary). 1 5. Number of copies (1-9)................ 1 6. Horizontal data adjustment............ ___ 7. Vertical data adjustment.............. ___ 8. Print non-fileable worksheets?........ Y 9. Turn ON Underlining?.................. Y 10. Repeat multi-copies after each form?.. N 11. Send all output to the printer?....... Y Drive/path for output: C:\AMTAX94 12. Print form pages even if no data?..... Y 13. Pause after each page?................ N 14. Print current date in taxpayer sig.... Y 15. Print current date in tax preparer sig N FORM 1040 Print Format? - Only the substitute 1040 format is available in the shareware version of AM-Tax. FORM 8453 Print Format? - An approved, graphic version of Form 8453 (the Electronic Filing Declaration) is available with either the Personal or Professional version. Form 8453 is not available with the shareware disk. OTHER FORMS format? - Only the IRS-approved substitute format is available in the shareware version of AM-Tax. The printed supporting forms and statements can be filed in place of the official forms. W-2 FORMAT? - A '1' prints a full W-2 form (one per page). A '2' prints a summary of key W-2 information for each taxpayer. NUMBER OF COPIES - You can print from 1 to 9 copies of the entire tax return (or multiple copies of individual forms if you answer N(o) to "print all forms?"). HORIZONTAL/VERTICAL DATA ADJUSTMENT - Used in conjunction with "data only" printing to move the data position on the page. This does not apply to the shareware version. PRINT NON-FILEABLE WORKSHEETS? - If "N", then AM-Tax prints only the pages that must be mailed to the IRS when you select "Print All Forms". TURN ON UNDERLINING? - When submitting substitute tax forms, the IRS prefers color-barred or lined paper. If you do not have color-barred or lined paper, AM-Tax can meet IRS guidelines by underlining the data for you. Answer Y(es) to this question if you want AM-Tax to underline the data on substitute forms. REPEAT AFTER EACH FORM? - If you answer Y(es), multiple copies of each form are printed before proceeding to the next form (i.e. 1040, 1040, A, A, B, B, so on). If you answer N(o), AM-Tax prints each form of the tax return once, then repeats (1040, A, B, 1040, A, B). SEND OUTPUT TO PRINTER? - If you answer Y(es), all output goes to the printer. If you answer N(o), output is directed to a disk file. You can then edit the disk file with a word processor or carry the diskette to another computer system for printing. The disk filename consists of the name of the tax return file plus an extension of .LDT. Specify the disk drive and/or subdirectory to receive the output directly below this parameter. PRINT FORM PAGES EVEN IF NO DATA? - If you answer N(o), then AM-Tax does not print form pages attached to your return that are blank. For example, page 2 of Schedule D is frequently not used and does not need to be filed if it is blank. If this question is N(o), AM-Tax prints the page only if that page is completed. If you answer Y(es), all pages attached to the tax return print - even if they are blank and do not need to be filed. PAUSE AFTER EACH PAGE? - If you answer Y(es), AM-Tax pauses after each page to give you time to change paper. PRINT CURRENT DATE IN TAXPAYER SIGNATURE BLOCK? - If Y(es), the computer system date prints next to the taxpayer's signature block on page 2 of Form 1040. PRINT CURRENT DATE IN TAX PREPARER SIGNATURE BLOCK? - If Y(es), the computer system date prints in the tax preparer signature block on page 2 of Form 1040 IF the tax preparer name is not blank.