OS/2 Shareware BBS: 14 Text/14-Text.zip/bttrsp.txt

Text File | 1996-04-05 | 6KB | 119 lines

BT&T issues a challenge to Mr. Brian Proffit of OS/2 Magazine
and Trial Invitations to all OS/2 Users who use Windows based
tax software.

==============================================================

We, BT&T Consumer Technology, would like to response to recent
press reviews of our product, TAXDOLLARS 1995 Planning Version
from Brian Proffit of OS/2 Magazine.

1. "Also, forms are not always linked as expected and implied. For
   example, line 8 of Form 8829 should contain the amount from
   Schedule C, line 29." OS/2 Magazine March 96, page 68.

    Mr. Proffit has shown his lack of appreciation for
        TaxDollars' attention to details and following IRS Laws
        regarding the business income that could come from a place
        other than home. According to IRS instructions, line 8 of Form
    8829 can only take the amount of Schedule C line 29 if and
        only if all the gross income of the business is from the
        business use of user's home. Therefore,    TaxDollars provides
        the following check box right under line 30 of schedule C where
    it is expected valued to be linked from form 8829 as follows:

    [ ] Check here if all 'Gross Income' of this business is from
            the business use of your home.

    If he checked this box then the value on Schedule C would
        be automatically transferred to line 8 of form 8829.
        If user did not check this box then user must
        allocate the percentage of business use and enter it into
    TaxDollars entry field for line 8.

    TaxDollars 1995 Final Version has added the same check box on
        line 8 of form 8829 allowing its users to invoke this automatic
        transfer from either schedule C or form 8829 itself.

2. "The program has many window repaint problems also." OS/2
   Magazine Mar 96, page 68.

    TaxDollars was designed using a 32 bit C code generator from
        GPF that we do not have much control over window repaint.
        However, these problems have been completely avoided in the
        final version where we allow users to minimize these windows
        and bring them back anytime from the main window without any
        needs to repaint.

3. "Worst of all, through, TaxDollars made math errors...., but
   they couldn't explain any of my other problems" and again "
   ...even more difficult to plan your taxes properly with a
   program that creates math errors" OS/2 Magazine Mar 96, page 69.

    This is very irresponsible statement  and caused an
        irrepairable damage to our reputation even after we already
        tried to explain to Mr. Proffit about our implementation for
        TaxDollars 1995 Planning Version.

    Fact is TaxDollars 1995 Planning Version always displays the
        following message at every beginning: "This planning version
        still has IRS 1994 forms and schedules, however, most of the
        internal tables has been converted to 1995 tables according to
        the early IRS 1995 documents....".

    Therefore, the exemption rate is internally coded as $2,500 for
        1995 but the display is still displayed at $2,450 for 1994
        exemption rate as mentioned in his articles. BT&T as well as
        other tax software must release the planning version as early
        as September of each year when we do not have the final IRS
    forms and schedules therefore all software must release with the
        forms and schedules of the previous year. However, if we do not
        update any internal tables then there is no advantage to use
        any early version for tax planning because user can always use
        the last year version and achieve the same results. Because of
        the internally updated tables, the results were naturally
        different where-ever they were applied. Mr. Proffit evidently
        did not understand the benefits of having a Planning Version
        and expected all features of a Final Version.

    We would like to issue the following challenge to Mr. Brian
        Proffit. If he could use either our Final Version of 1994 or
        1995 and found any math errors in our supported forms and
        schedules then we will donate $500 to his designated charity
        and vice versa Mr. Proffit must donate $500 to our charity
        if he could not find one and issue correction statements
        about our product.

Finally, BT&T Consumer Technology would like to make the following
trial invitation to all OS/2 users that have Windows based tax
software to try our TAXDOLLARS 1995 Final Version for the cost of
$7 S/H only. If you are not happy for any reasons then let us know
by phone, fax, e-mail and we will even refund your $7 S/H without
any questions and product return is also not required. Make sure
that TAXDOLLARS 1995 Final Version has all of your required forms
and schedules. Currently, TAXDOLLARS 1995 Final Version supports
the following forms and schedules: Form 1040, W-2, 1099-INT,
1099-DIV, 1040V, 2106, 2441, 4562 (no link yet), 8829 and
Schedule A, B, C, D, E, EIC, SE, R along with other 10 popular
worksheets.

===================================================================

Response from one of our 1995 users:

I do intend to try the program again next year, and will read with
interest the response to your challenge to Brian Proffit from OS/2
Magazine.  I can't imagine why he did not have more consideration and
consult with you about the final version before commenting.  I don't
believe any thinking person would look down on your product as a result
of his premature criticism.  I used to look forward each month to OS/2
Magazine, but have found recently that almost all of their articles are 3
to 4 months behind the times.  I find much more current information in
the OS/2 newsgroups, and therefore am not influenced by the reviews.  I
don't think I'm unique, so don't be discouraged.  (You may quote me if
you like...)

Best wishes, and looking forward to refinements to come.

Barbara Allen