home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Magnum One
/
Magnum One (Mid-American Digital) (Disc Manufacturing).iso
/
d6
/
stax88.arc
/
STAX88.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1988-12-27
|
52KB
|
1,255 lines
Share-TAX/1040 (tm)
for 1988
U S E R ' S M A N U A L
Bammel Software
1307 Westridge Dr.
Duncanville, TX 75116
Voice: (214) 296-8518
BBS: (214) 709-6567
DISCLAIMER
THIS PROGRAM IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITH NO WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND IN NO EVENT WILL BAMMEL
SOFTWARE OR ANY INDIVIDUAL CONNECTED WITH BAMMEL SOFTWARE BE
LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS PROGRAM.
FURTHERMORE, BAMMEL SOFTWARE, AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL CONNECTED
WITH BAMMEL SOFTWARE, SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE ROLE OF TAX
ADVISER. THIS PROGRAM ONLY PERFORMS THE MECHANICS OF TAX
PREPARATION IN STRICT ACCORDANCE WITH IRS FORMS AND
INSTRUCTIONS. THE USER MUST EXERCISE THE SAME JUDGEMENT AS
TO THE CORRECTNESS AND APPROPRIATENESS OF ANY AND ALL AMOUNTS
ENTERED USING THIS PROGRAM, JUST THE SAME AS IN FILLING OUT
THE IRS FORMS MANUALLY.
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
C O N T E N T S
1. FEATURES and BENEFITS
1.1. What it Does
1.2. What it Won't Do
1.3. Ease of Use
1.4. Forms not Provided by the Program
1.5. Incremental Preparation of Tax Return
1.6. Dollars and Cents, versus Whole-dollar Amounts
1.7. Next Year's Version
2. SOFTWARE LICENSE
3. MACHINE REQUIREMENTS
4. SETUP and RUNNING THE PROGRAM
4.1. Running the Program from Diskette
4.2. Running the Program from Hard Disk
4.3. Program Run-time Options
4.4. Setting Program Options
4.5. Data Compatibility with USA-Tax/1040
5. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
5.1. Taxpayer Lookup
5.2. Keyboarding Conventions
5.3. Screen Selectors and Multiple-instance Screens
5.4. Data Entry Fields
5.5. Calculated Data Fields
5.6. Calculations
5.7. Data Records
5.8. Multiple Versions of Data
5.9. List of Screens with their Names
6. SCREEN-SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS
6.1. Form 1040 - U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
6.2. Schedule A - Itemized Deductions
6.3. Schedule B - Interest and Dividend Income
6.4. Sch C - Profit (Loss) from Business or Profession
6.5. Worksheet - W-2 Forms Wage Information
6.6. Supplemental Schedule
7. PRINTING
7.1. IRS Approval of Substitute Forms
7.2. IRS Requirements for Computer-Generated Forms
7.3. Calculation Before Printing
7.4. Printing to the Screen
7.5. Printing to a File
8. TAX PREPARER INFORMATION
9. EXCEPTION REPORT MESSAGES
10. PRODUCT SUPPORT
10.1. Limited Voice Telephone Support and Order Line
10.2. Computer Bulletin Board Support
11. ADVERTISEMENT
11.1. USA-Tax/1040 (tm)
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 1
1. FEATURES and BENEFITS
1.1. What it Does
Using the data you enter, Share-TAX/1040 does all
computations and prints out your complete tax return ready to
submit to the IRS. For all schedules and forms other than
Form 1040, it prints substitute forms approved by the IRS.
The shareware version, Share-TAX/1040, is limited to the Form
1040, Schedules A, B and C, W-2 worksheet and Supplemental
Schedule.
1.2. What it Won't Do
Share-TAX/1040 will not make a tax expert out of you. It
only performs the mechanics of tax return preparation using
the numbers you supply. Therefore, you must know as much
about taxes as you would if you were filling out your forms
with pencil and eraser.
It just frees you from the drudgery of manually filling in
the forms and manual calculations. However, the ease with
which you can try out various combinations and situations
adds a new dimension to tax preparation as compared to manual
methods.
1.3. Ease of Use
You need only enter the correct numbers, and Share-TAX/1040
will do all computations for you, forwarding amounts from one
form to another as necessary. It displays and follows IRS
forms as closely as possible so that you can see and
understand clearly what is happening and so that you can make
the proper judgements.
The order in which you enter your data is completely
arbitrary, and you can at any time suspend your data entry to
work on a different tax return or exit the program. Then
later you can resume where you left off.
1.4. Forms not Provided by the Program
If you need additional forms not provided by the program,
simply fill out these forms manually and enter the total(s)
to the proper form in the program. Then submit the manually
prepared forms along with those produced by the program.
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 2
1.5. Incremental Preparation of Tax Return
When tax season arrives, you might want to have an idea of
what your tax bite is going to be before you have all
necessary information. You could estimate the significant
items and go through the computations manually, but that is
too laborious, and so you probably don't bother. However,
with Share-TAX/1040, you can enter the data you have,
estimate the significant items you don't have, and in a few
seconds have your estimate. Then when you do receive those
missing numbers, your earlier efforts are not wasted. You
simply enter the new numbers and in just a few moments have
your complete tax return ready to submit to the IRS.
1.6. Dollars and Cents, versus Whole-dollar Amounts
The IRS permits you to enter your money amounts either as
dollars and cents, or as rounded whole-dollar amounts, but
whichever you choose, you must use it consistently throughout
your return. It is our understanding that the IRS probably
prefers whole-dollar amounts since it slightly eases their
data entry.
However, the IRS requires that when adding up amounts for a
single entry on a form, that dollars and cents be used, and
that rounding to whole dollars be done only after the
addition. That is the reason why a few forms in
Share-TAX/1040 have dollars and cents, in particular the W-2
worksheet and the Supplemental Schedule. But you will notice
that the totals are shown in whole dollars.
A number of users have requested the option of entering
amounts as dollars and cents. We are considering how this
might be done with minimal impact on the program and may add
it in the future (but not before next year's version).
1.7. Next Year's Version
Due to the usual delays in obtaining the final forms and
instructions from the IRS, it is unrealistic to expect next
year's final version of USA-Tax/1040 (the comprehensive
program) to be ready before December 31, 1989. However, it
is likely that a preliminary version of Share-TAX/1040 could
be ready as early as October 1, 1989, because of the limited
number of active forms in it, and the inactive forms would
simply remain the previous year's version. If interested at
that time, use the order form built into the program to place
your order.
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 3
2. SOFTWARE LICENSE
The program Share-TAX/1040 and this accompanying manual are
owned by Bammel Software and are copyrighted with all rights
reserved, and are therefore protected by U.S. Copyright Law.
You are granted the right to copy Share-TAX/1040 for use in
preparing and reviewing actual tax returns only if you pay
promptly as follows:
Right to use Share-TAX/1040 on one computer..... $5.00
(Texas residents please add 7% sales tax)
This fee is due when you start using it on actual tax
returns, and payable to:
Bammel Software
1307 Westridge Dr.
Duncanville, TX 75116
Share-TAX/1040 is provided on the basis of the "Shareware"
concept, and you are also granted the right to copy it freely
for evaluation and distribution purposes without paying a fee
on the following conditions, but it is not free nor is it in
the public domain:
1) You are encouraged to make copies of Share-TAX/1040
for your friends and acquaintences, but it must be
copied and distributed in unmodified form, complete with
copyright notices, licensing information and all
documentation.
2) You may charge a nominal fee which may include a
reasonable profit for your duplicating and distributing
services. You may not charge a fee for use of the
program; such license fee is payable only to the owner
of the copyright, Bammel Software.
3) Share-TAX/1040 may not be distributed in conjunction
with any other product.
4) Operators of electronic bulletin board systems may
post (and are encouraged to do so) Share-TAX/1040 for
downloading by their users, providing such operator
abides by the foregoing conditions.
5) Commercial and other distributors of public domain or
user supported software may distribute copies (and are
encouraged to do so) without further permission
providing the above conditions are met.
6) Copying for any other purpose is expressly
prohibited.
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 4
The files which must be included for a complete copy are:
READ.ME Information file
ORDER.FRM A blank order form
STAX88.MAN The User's Manual (this file)
STAX88.EXE The executable program
The following data files are not included under the
copyright, but must be included in the copy since they are
necessary for the successful execution of STAX88.EXE:
T88PT.SCH
T88SC.DAT
T88SC.KEY
T88PR.DAT
TOPTN.DAT
3. MACHINE REQUIREMENTS
Share-TAX/1040 needs approximataely 200K of free memory (that
is memory remaining after subtracting that used by DOS and
any resident utilities), and at least one diskette drive with
a minimum capacity of 360K. A hard disk is of course nice,
but operation is quite acceptable on diskette.
It is not expected that there be any problem in operating the
program with any of the commonly used resident utilities.
However if you have any difficulties in running the program
with any such utilities installed, you should de-install them
while running this program.
4. SETUP and RUNNING THE PROGRAM
4.1. Running the Program from Diskette
1. First make a backup of the original diskette with
DISKCOPY or other copy program. (example:
"DISKCPOPY A: B: where the original is in drive A and
the copy in drive B). Also make a run diskette in the
same manner.
2. Mount the run diskette in a drive. (example: Mount it
in drive B).
3. To obtain maximum working space on the run diskette,
delete all files BUT:
STAX88.EXE
T88PR.DAT
T88PT.SCH
T88SC.DAT
T88SC.KEY
TOPTN.DAT
(For even more diskette work space, place STAX88.EXE
on another diskette drive if available.)
4. Make the diskette drive your default drive. (example:
Type "B:", then "CD B:\" if not in the top directory).
5. Run the program by typing: "STAX88". Then follow
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 5
the prompts and read the help screens.
WARNING: If while running the program, the diskette fills up
and runs out of space, the data files will likely be DAMAGED
or DESTROYED. Therefore, it is important to backup regularly
and to check from time to time how much space is left, and to
limit the number of tax returns per diskette to a safe
margin. As a rule of thumb, a fairly complicated tax return
will take on the order of 20K of disk space.
4.2. Running the Program from Hard Disk
1. Make a new directory. (example: "MKDIR C:\TAX").
2. Copy all files on the original diskette to the
directory. (example: assume the diskette is in drive
B, then type "COPY B:*.* C:\TAX").
3. Make the drive and directory your default.
(example: "C:", and then "CD C:\TAX").
4. Run the program by typing: "STAX88". Then follow
the prompts and read the help screens.
The same warning about disk space applies to hard disks as
well as diskettes, but usually there will be much more free
space on a hard drive, with little likelihood of running out
from the operation of the program.
4.3. Program Run-time Options
The default screen output is via BIOS which is the most
compatible with different types of hardware, but is also the
slowest. A faster option for use on CGA adapters prone to
"snow" is to set the following at the DOS prompt:
SET TXSCREEN=NOSNOW
The fastest option writes directly to screen memory with no
waits and is selected by typing the following at the DOS
prompt:
SET TXSCREEN=FAST
You can run the program in monochrome (black & white) on a
color monitor by including the /b run-time switch when you
run the program as follows:
STAX88 /b
4.4. Setting Program Options
Certain program options are set by running the program.
To select the colors you want, go to the COLOR screen. Then
use the cursor keys to position to desired item, and press
the F and B keys to change foreground and background colors,
respectively. The colors selected will be automatically
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 6
stored on disk in the current directory so that you will get
them next time you run the program.
To select the printer options you want, go to the "PRSU"
screen. As delivered, the printer control sequences are set
up for the IBM Proprinter. If your printer differs, enter
the appropriate sequences. If your printer does not have a
bold printing capability, the program can simulate it by
overstriking. To activate this option, answer "Y" to the
bold question and leave the control sequences blank. If your
printer does not have an underlining capability, you must use
ruled or color-barred paper. Without an underlining
capability, answering "Y" to the underling question has no
effect.
Note that for printer control sequences, non-displaying ASCII
characters must be entered as a two-character sequence where
the first character is always a "^". For example, a
control-C is entered as "^C", an escape followed by the
character 0 as "^[0". This two-character notation is shown
at the bottom of the screen along with the octal equivalents
in parentheses. The octal equivalents are given only for
your information and are not entered as such in the control
sequences.
4.5. Data Compatibility with USA-Tax/1040
The data files of Share-TAX/1040 and USA-Tax/1040 are
compatible so that if you start entering data with
Share-TAX/1040, your efforts will not be wasted if you later
purchase USA-Tax/1040. The only exception to this is that
data fields which are entered in Share-TAX/1040, but computed
in USA-Tax/1040 will be over-written by the computations in
USA-Tax/1040. Therefore, once the data has been used by
USA-Tax/1040, to go back to Share-TAX/1040 would require
re-entry of these fields. Also, when upgrading to
USA-Tax/1040, it is necessary to cycle through screens with
data (i.e. simply display them all on the screen) so that the
calculated values can be brought up to date.
5. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
5.1. Taxpayer Lookup
Multiple tax returns may be stored in one set of files, and
are identified by a "REF" (reference) number. Each tax
return also has a 6-character search key for easy lookup when
you can't remember the number. You enter the key as you
choose, hopefully with a value which you can easily remember,
and which will fall in a natural alphabetical sequence.
When you need to select a tax return a window will pop up on
the screen. Use the arrow keys to select the desired tax
return or type in the reference number directly. When you
have made your selection, press the Enter key to complete
it. If you do not wish to select a tax return at this time,
press the ESC key. In this case, the program will enter a
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 7
display-only mode and will just display the text of the
screens with no data. To select a tax return after entering
this mode, just press F1 for the Menu window again.
5.2. Keyboarding Conventions
The ESC key will usually cancel what you may have started
doing, but have not completed.
The arrow keys allow you to move from one data entry field to
another. The Enter key in most cases is the same as the
right arrow, but in some cases it will sequence you through
the fields in an more natural order than the right arrow.
The function keys normally act as follows; exceptions to
this are hopefully self-explanatory:
F1 Pop up the MENU window. Use the cursor keys
to select the item you want, or type the name
of the screen directly.
F2 Generally, this key is used to search for
something, such as a tax return or a particular
instance of a screen. Follow prompts on screen
for instructions.
F3 Allows you to erase a "record" (see below).
F4 Allows you to print a form or a complete tax return.
F5 PGUP Go to previous screen.
F6 PGDN Go to next screen.
F7 Left-Arrow Move to the data-entry field to the left,
or to the last field on the previous line,
or wrap around to the last field on the
screen.
F8 Right-Arrow Move to the data-entry field to the
right, or the the first field on the next
line, or wrap around to the first field
on the screen.
F9 Up-Arrow Move to the closest data-entry field above,
or wrap around to the closest field on the
bottom line.
F10 Down-Arrow Move to the closest data-entry field
below, or wrap around to the closest field
on the top line.
HOME Go to the first data-entry field on the
screen.
END Go to the last data-entry field on the
screen.
The arrow keys, PGUP and PGDN are duplicated with function
keys for the convenience of those who do not have an enhanced
keyboard and who like to enter their numbers using the number
pad. The screens are ordered in a hopefully natural
sequence.
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 8
5.3. Screen Selectors and Multiple-instance Screens
Certain IRS forms may need to be filed more than once in a
single tax return. There are two basic classes of these
forms, namely those which have no fixed number (such as
Schedule C), and those which must be filed separately for
Taxpayer and Spouse in joint returns (such as Schedule SE).
Those with no fixed number are "Selected" with letters "A"
thru "Z", giving a maximum of 26. Those for taxpayer/spouse
are selected with "T" or "S". To re-select with a different
letter, use the "SEARCH" function, F2.
5.4. Data Entry Fields
You can move among data fields without changing them by not
typing anything into them. However, note that typing just a
single blank is defined as changing the field, and the entire
field will be set to blank. When typing into a field, the
previous value remains displayed until you type over it.
Backspacing will "uncover" the original characters one at a
time, and control-X will backspace all the way to the
beginning of the field. If you backspace all the way back to
the beginning of the field, then it is not modified when you
go to another field even though you had typed some data which
you backspaced over. If you enter data in a field, the
entire field is replaced by what you typed, notwithstanding
that you may not have "covered up" all the data that was
there before.
There are two types of data-entry fields, numeric and text.
If you try to enter text in a numeric field, the program will
complain and not accept it.
Most single-character text fields are "YES"/"NO" fields.
Enter "Y", "y" or "1" for "Yes", and "N", "n" or "2" for
"No". A Few single-character text fields are
"Taxpayer"/"Spouse" fields. Enter "T", "t" (or sometimes
blank) for "Taxpayer", and "S" or "s" for "Spouse". The few
other types of single character fields are identified as such
on the screen.
Dates can be entered with or without the slashes, for example
"10188" or "01/01/88" or "1/1/88", and the program will then
enter the slashes correctly. Date fields will also accept
arbitrary text which does not look like a date such as
"VARIOUS".
The philosophy used throughout the program is that data entry
fields are never changed by the calculations. A minor
exception to this is a few fields which must always be
positive or negative. In most of these cases, the program
forces the necessary polarity.
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 9
5.5. Calculated Data Fields
Data in these fields are calculated by the program and you
cannot position the cursor to these fields. If you have
chosen colors properly, these fields will have a different
color (or shading with some monochrome monitors) from the
data entry fields, and the background text.
5.6. Calculations
Every effort is made to keep values passed from one form to
another current. However, in the interest of efficiency,
this cannot always be done. To bring all values up to date
at any time, just select the "CALC" function. This takes
just a few seconds with a hard disk, and something like 30
seconds with diskettes on a large return.
During the calculations, an "Exception Report" is displayed
on the screen warning you of any obvious problems. This
report can also be printed.
5.7. Data Records
Data is organized in the files as "records". In some cases
one screen constitutes one record, whereas in other cases a
number of screens constitute one record. The "ERASE"
function erases records, not screens. Therefore, the erase
function will first inform you of the scope of the proposed
erasure before asking you to confirm.
In order to conserve disk space, data is organized so that
zero-valued numeric amounts and blank-valued text do not
occupy space in the file. Furthermore, records are not
created until data has been entered, or in a few cases where
the calculations automatically create records when
necessary. At the upper-right corner of the screen, you will
at times see and "R" and a "M". The "R" means that the
record has been created. The "M" means that the screen has
been modified with new data, and if the record has not been
created yet, it will be created when you leave the screen.
5.8. Multiple Versions of Data
Sometimes you might want to try out several situations for a
given tax return. You could create a new tax return and
re-enter all the data again, but that is quite a bother. A
more efficient way is to enter data up to the point you want
to make a second copy. Then copy the data files (T88PT.SCH,
T88SC.DAT, T88SC.KEY, T88PR.DAT and TOPTN.DAT) to a new
directory or diskette. Then by selecting which directory you
run from, you can have more than one version of a tax return
without entering the bulk of the data more than once.
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 10
5.9. List of Screens with their Names
The pop-up menu window displays the names of all the
screens. The complete list of screens with their names is as
follows (Those marked with * are displayed, but are active
only in USA-Tax/1040):
H1 Sign-on Message
H2 Disclaimer
H3 Copying & Distributing
H4 General Instructions
H5 (continued)
H6 Product Support
A1 Advertisement - USA-TAX/1040
ORDER Order Blank
ORD2 (continued)
COLOR Screen Color Setup
PRSU Printer Setup
PREP Preparer Setup
TPI Taxpayer Information
W2 W-2 Forms
OI * Other Income
EIC * Earned Income Credit Worksheet
EICC * (continued)
WP * Pension/Annuity Worksheet
WS * Social Security Worksheet
WI * IRA Worksheet Data Entry
WI1 * IRA Worksheet 1
WI2 * IRA Worksheet 2
WI2N * IRA Worksheet 2, Non-working spouse
E 1040 Exemptions
I 1040 Income
A 1040 Adjustments to Income
T 1040 Tax Computation
C 1040 Credits
O 1040 Other Taxes
P 1040 Payments & Refund/Amount Due
AM Sch A - Medical expenses
AT Sch A - Taxes paid
AI Sch A - Interest paid
AC Sch A - Contributions
AO Sch A - Other expenses
BI Sch B - Interest income
BD Sch B - Dividend income
BF Sch B - Foreign accounts
CN Sch C - Business name
CI Sch C - Income
CD Sch C - Deductions
CC Sch C - Cost of goods
DS * Sch D - Short-term gain(loss)
DSC * Sch D - Short-term continued
DL * Sch D - Long-term gain(loss)
DLC * Sch D - Long-term continued
DC * Sch D - Loss carryovers
DR * Sch D - 1099-B reconciliation
ER * Sch E - Rent/royalty income
ET * Sch E - Totals
EP * Sch E - Partnerships/S Corp
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 11
EE * Sch E - Estates & Trusts
ES * Sch E - Summary
FN * Sch F - Farm proprietor name
FI * Sch F - Farm income, cash meth
FD * Sch F - Farm deductions
FD2 * Sch F - Farm deductions continued
FA * Sch F - Farm income, accrual
RQ * Sch R - Questionnaire
RC * Sch R - Credit Computation
RW * Sch R - Credit Limit Worksheet
SE * Sch SE - Self-Employment
ST * Sch SE - SE Tax Computation
SO * Sch SE - Optional Methods
SM * Sch SE - Govt Medicare Wages
2106 * Employee Business Expense
2106B * (continued)
2106C * Vehicle Expenses
2106D * (continued)
2106E * Depreciation of Vehicles
2119 * Sale/Exchange of Residence
2119B * (continued)
2119C * (continued)
2210 * Penalty - Amts from 87 Return
2210B * Figuring the Underpayment
2210C * (continued)
2210D * Figuring the Penalty
2441 * Credit for Child/Dependent Care
2441B * Credit Limitation Worksheet
3903 * Moving Expenses
3903B * (continued)
3903C * (continued)
4137 * SS Tax on Unreported Tips
4562 * Sec 179 Property
4562B * MACRS
4562C * Other Deducts/Amortization
4562D * Listed Property
4562E * Vehicle Use
6251 * Alternative Minimum Tax
6251B * (continued)
6251C * (continued)
8606 * Nondeductible IRA Contrib
8606B * (continued)
8615 * Tax for Children Under
8615B * age 14 with over $1000
8615C * investment income
SS Supplemental Schedule
INV * Client Invoice
CALC Complete Tax Return Calculation
PRALL Print Complete Return
EXIT Exit to DOS
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 12
6. SCREEN-SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS
The following is specific instructions for individual
screens. Explanation will be given only for items which are
not self-explanatory, and only with the purpose of helping
you understand the mechanics of data entry. No attempt will
be made to explain or analyze the IRS regulations; such
information is available directly from IRS publications and
other sources.
NOTE: "data-entry is self-explanatory" below, does not mean
that the tax implications are self-explanatory. You may well
have to study IRS regulations carefully.
6.1. Form 1040 - U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
First, be sure to enter your basic exemptions and dependents
on the front of Form 1040 (screen E). Then be sure to check
any boxes on the back which apply to you (screen T). Some
amounts on Form 1040 come automatically from other forms.
For those which don't come from other forms, it is a very
good idea to step through all 1040 screens to be sure that
you have entered any necessary amounts.
The tax computation (screen T) will automatically choose the
larger of your itemized deductions from Schedule A, or the
Standard Deduction so that your taxable income will be
minimum. The value chosen is displayed on the right.
6.2. Schedule A - Itemized Deductions
If you have filled in Schedule A and your itemized deductions
add to less than the standard deduction on Form 1040 line 34,
then the standard deduction will be used instead of your
Schedule A deductions. Note however that Schedule A will
always print if you have filled it in. If you do not want it
to print, erase it, or else simply do not submit it with your
return if it does not apply.
6.3. Schedule B - Interest and Dividend Income
The IRS instructions say that if you had over $400 in TAXABLE
interest income, then you must list ALL interest you
received, and to include on Form 1040, line 8a only the
taxable interest, and on line 8b tax-exempt interest.
Usually most interest will be taxable, and for taxable
interest you can just skip through (i.e. leave zero) the
column "Amount tax-exempt". If some or all of the interest
is tax-exempt, enter that amount in the "Amount tax-exempt"
column.
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 13
6.4. Sch C - Profit (Loss) from Business or Profession
You can have up to 26 Schedules C, one for each letter of the
alphabet. Note that each Schedule C pertains to only one
individual, even if you are filing a joint return. If both
you and your spouse have income from the same business, you
must file a separate Schedule C for each person.
Beginning in 1987, you generally may deduct only 80% of your
business-related meal and entertainment expenses; however,
there are exceptions. Therefore line 26b is entered as two
amounts. The first amount, "Meals not subj 80%", is the
portion which is not subject to the 80% limitation. The
second amount, "Amt subj 80% limit", is that amount which is
subject to the 80% limitation.
6.5. Worksheet - W-2 Forms Wage Information
This worksheet need not be submitted to the IRS since you
should have Forms W-2 for each entry on it. Keep it for your
records. If you leave the "Taxpayer/Spouse" column blank for
any line, then that line will be assumed to be for the
"Taxpayer".
6.6. Supplemental Schedule
This (these) schedules may be used to report detail which
will not fit on the forms themselves. On the Form itself,
enter "SEE SCHEDULE ATTACHED" and enter the total. Then on
the supplemental schedule, enter the detail and in the title
say what form it pertains to. NOTE: TOTALS FROM THIS
(THESE) SCHEDULES DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY GO ANYWHERE, and you
must enter the totals where they belong. Submit this (these)
schedules to the IRS with your return.
7. PRINTING
7.1. IRS Approval of Substitute Forms
All substitute forms and schedules (computer generated forms
used in place of the IRS official forms) printed by this
program have been approved by the IRS. However, there are
factors under your control which must meet requirements also,
which are explained below.
7.2. IRS Requirements for Computer-Generated Forms
Your printer must be set to 6 lines per inch vertically and
10 characters per inch horizontally. These are the normal
(default) values for almost all printers.
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 14
Form 1040 itself MUST be submitted using the IRS pre-printed
form or a high-quality duplicate (offset press, photocopy,
etc.) thereof. You can do this by using continuous Forms
1040 (available from Bammel Software) which are exact
duplicates of the IRS forms. (Note that many commercially
available continuous Forms 1040 are not exact copies, but
have had some of the data positions altered.)
You can also print your 1040 by simply placing single-sheet
blank IRS 1040 forms in your computer printer. When printing
the "IRS" 1040 form, the program will always pause for you to
put the blank form in the printer. The tricky part is
getting the 1040 form positioned correctly at the beginning
of printing. If you have plenty of blank 1040's, just
experiment with them until you get it right. Otherwise, one
way of doing it is to print the 1040 on blank continuous
paper. Then fasten the actual 1040 over the continuous paper
in the proper position and re-run the paper through the
printer without altering the top of form position.
Another way to meet IRS requirements for Form 1040 is to use
a copier and overlays. You will need to use a copier which
does not significantly shrink or enlarge the copy. First
make an "overlay" of a blank 1040 on transparent plastic of
the type designed for use in a copier. Then print the 1040
on blank paper, position the overlay over the printout, and
then make a copy of the combination.
A "Proof" printout for the 1040 is provided which is similar
to the substitute forms, but it is for your own use and
review, and it SHOULD NOT BE SUBMITTED TO THE IRS.
The forms and schedules other than the 1040 may be fully
computer generated with the following requirements:
1) A high standard of legibility is required. Low
quality printers should not be used. The originals must
be filed, NOT carbon copies.
2) Paper must be at least 18 lb. weight, be 8" x 11" or
8.5" X 11" in size, and must have 1/4" to 1/2" margins
on all sides after removal of pin-feed holes.
3) Paper color must be white or cream colored, and
either it must be ruled every other line or be
color-barred, or the computer printer must underline
every other line.
4) Black ink must be used for printing.
5) Printing must be 6 lines per inch vertically, and 10
chars per inch horizontally.
6) Forms must be assembled with the 1040 first, then the
schedules and forms in their sequence number order (the
sequence number is given after the "1988 *" at the top
right), then supporting schedules in the order of the
forms they refer to. When you select one of the "print
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 15
all forms" options, this is the order they will be
printed in.
7) Social security numbers must be printed in the
format: 000-00-0000 (Thus you must key them in in that
form).
7.3. Calculation Before Printing
Most forms require that the "CALC" function be current. That
is, no data should have been changed since the last "CALC"
operation. The print program checks to be sure that this is
so, and if it is not will ask you if you wish to calculate
before printing. If you answer "No", then it will not
calculate, and it will not print.
7.4. Printing to the Screen
You can conveniently preview the printout by looking at it on
the screen. Just select the "S" print option.
7.5. Printing to a File
In addition to printing to the printer and to the screen, the
program has two options for printing to files. The first
option, overwrite "O", will erase any data that was in the
file and overwrite it. This option will prompt you if the
file already exists to be sure you want to over-write it.
The other option, append "A", will add the data at the end of
what is already in the file, if anything. This option will
prompt you if the file does not already exist.
8. TAX PREPARER INFORMATION
If you use this program as a professional tax-preparer, your
name and address, etc. must be entered on the back of the
1040. The Preparer Menu allows you to enter this information
into the database, and then prints it. There is space on the
database for 20 preparers, numbered 1 through 20.
If you are using this program only for your own use, you do
not need to enter any preparer information. Select preparer
number 0 when you setup your return. Then these fields will
be left blank on the 1040 printout.
9. EXCEPTION REPORT MESSAGES
"Excess FICA withheld by one employer, obtain refund from
employer."
If one employer withholds more than the maximum, you cannot
obtain a refund for the excess on your tax return. You can
only obtain a refund from the employer. This message will
continue to display even though your tax return is correct.
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 16
"Not joint return, but "S" (spouse) selected on screen W2"
"Not joint return, but "S" (spouse) selected on Schedule C"
One of these errors is likely to occur if you start entering
your tax return as a joint return, but then later change it
to an individual return. These errors must be corrected to
get correct results.
10. PRODUCT SUPPORT
10.1. Limited Voice Telephone Support and Order Line
1) Voice telephone support will be provided at 214/296-8518.
It is limited in the sense that hours will generally be quite
irregular. However, please feel free to call at any time,
and we will personally answer when we are available. At
other times an announcement machine may answer on the fourth
ring, which will announce the latest status of the program,
answers to common problems, etc. If you do not want to hear
the announcement, hang up before the fourth ring.
10.2. Computer Bulletin Board Support
2) A computer bulletin board will be provided at 214/709-6567
where you can download the latest version of Share-TAX/1040
(but not USA-Tax/1040), and can also leave questions for
assistance and read replys from the sysop and other callers.
It will normally be available 24 hours per day. Use no
parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit (the usual). If the board is
down, the phone will not answer.
As soon as we accumulate a list of "Common Questions and
Answers", it will be placed in a bulletin on the board and
announcement machine, and will probably answer your
question(s). If it does not, then you can leave your
question(s) on the BBS for the SYSOP and call back later for
your answer(s). The SYSOP will try to answer questions
within 48 hours.
Also, we always appreciate helpful suggestions as to how
Share-TAX/1040 might be improved.
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.
Share-TAX/1040 Page 17
11. ADVERTISEMENT
11.1. USA-Tax/1040 (tm)
USA-Tax/1040 is a comprehensive Individual Form 1040 Income
Tax Preparation System. It includes all the following forms,
schedules and worksheets: 1040, A, B, C, D, E, F, R, SE,
2106, 2119, 2210, 2441, 3903, 4137, 4562, 6251, 8606, 8615,
W-2, Other Income, Earned Income Credit, Pension/Annuity, Tax
on Social Security, IRA, Supplemental Schedule, Estimated
Taxes, Exception Report and Client Invoice.
Except for the inactive forms in Share-TAX/1040,
Share-TAX/1040 and USA-Tax/1040 are identical in operation
and features. Therefore data files are compatible so that
your efforts at entering data into Share-TAX/1040 will not be
wasted if you later purchase USA-Tax/1040.
Please note that USA-Tax/1040 is NOT shareware, and copies
may not be distributed to others, but it is not copy
protected. The price includes a license for use on one
computer.
Use the convenient order form build into Share-TAX/1040 to
order.
Any shareware license fee due for use of Share-TAX/1040 is
waived when you purchase USA-Tax/1040.
(C) Copyright 1988, Bammel Software. All Rights Reserved.