the 128 version and found that it doesn't take
way, the line numbers of the IRS forms.
In fact, it runs just fine on the C-64. There's
Taxaid doesn't swap data from form to form. You can save and reload your data and
advantage of the special features of the 128.
no fancy screen display, and my 40- and 80-
column monitors both handled the program well, except that the display bunched against the left side of the screen.
Taxaid uses a kind of question-and-answer format in which you can control the se quence of questions—a definite plus. Also,
corrections are easy to make. However, it complicates data entry unnecessarily by what appears to be an attempt to thwart software piracy, or perhaps to conserve computer memory. Data entry can also be
repetitive. For instance, you have to input
make changes at a later time, and you can choose to display either your data or the final results on the screen.
All of Taxaid's printouts, except form 1040, are suitable for direct submission to the IRS. For fonn 1040, you get a draft copy and must transcribe the data to the 1040 by hand. Taxaid is written in Basic and can be listed. Ail in all, it's not a flashy program, but it does the job. The Taxaid company also produces a pro gram called Future-Tax for use in tax plan ning for 1987 and 1988.
your name and other vital information for
almost every schedule. This is a program that, for all practical purposes, must be used with the manual,
Swiftax
because all the questions you have to answer
No doubt about it, Swiftax is a slick, profes sional package. I tested the C-64 version, al
are only represented by brief, numbered
though there evidently is a version available
items on the screen. The manual contains the actual questions.
for the C-128 in 80-Column mode. This is a menu-driven program, and its
In all fairness, this scheme isn't that bad to
question-and-answer format leads you by the
work with, since you'll save time by answering only those questions that are appropriate. However, the process would be less confusing
hand through all the forms and schedules
if the question numbers matched, in some
the manual is one of the best. In addition to being easy to follow, Swiftax
provided. A brief but succinct explanation appears on-screen with each question, and
lets you correct errors after every few ques
Table 2. Manufacturers' addresses ard prices.
tions, and it provides an escape function.
However, if you use the escape key, you'll Tax Return Helper/C-64
Tax Command Profcssional/C-64
KSoft
Practical Programs
845 Wellner Road
PO Box 03104
N;ipcrvil]e, EL 60640
Milwaukee, WI 53203
3ia.961.1250
414-272-7227
$•15 for ihe professional version.
$50; yearly updates, $25;
$33 for Ihe standard version; yearly
(add $2 for shipping and handling).
updates, $29.50 and $21.50;
have to start over again at the beginning. This program automatically transfers data from one form to another, and you can select screen colors of your liking. The printouts are made directly on the IRS forms and schedules. Swiftax requires a data disk in addition to
TaxaiaX-64
the program disk, but, unfortunately, it sup
Taxii id Software
ports only one disk drive or a dual drive, not
TUX Master/C-64
006 Second Ave.
Masttr Sofiware
Two Hwbora,MN 55616
two drives. You can save and reload your data and make corrections to previously
fi Hillery Court
218834-5012
Randallitown, MD 21133
$39.95 un tape or disk;
saved data easily. Also, there's an optional
$1.50 for shipping and handling.
301-922-2962
yearly updates, $16.50.
$30; comes with a coupon for a discount off next year's edition.
Swiflax/C-64
Tlmewotki It's Thx Time'C-64
444 I-akc Cook Road
L.J, Fischer
Deerfield, 11.60015
fast-loader built into the program. This program lacks a schedule E. However, it can do returns on the 1040A and I040EZ forms, and the disk includes a separate loan amortization program to be used with Swif tax. The manufacturer, Timeworks, supplies
27(17 Medford Av(-.
912-94S-9200
a toll-free hotline for user support, and a
Hedwood City, CA 04061
$49.95; yearly updates, half price.
guarantee that they'll buy you a copy of any other tax preparation software you think
The Tax AdvantagefC-64
works better for you.
415-368-7930 Shareware—send $5 for the program and agree to send an addition.il
Double Kagle Software
(SO if you like it and use it.
2210 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 875
Santa Monica, CA 90403 ComUxfC-64
213-459-SJ748
MIIX) Software
$59.95; yearly updates al a discount.
PO Box 569 Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 617-292-6465 S2'J.>)5; yearly updates, $17.50.
46 / RUN APRIL 1987
Overall, this is one of the best questionand-answer-format tax packages I've seen, and a good choice for beginners.
The Tax Advantage I have to admit to a slight prejudice here, because The Tax Advantage is the program I use for my returns. It's a tern plate-format