Review of:
Kiplinger TaxCut 
by Charles Law, Alamo PC

 Opening the package before the monthly meeting, I was a bit dismayed that there was nothing in print to enlighten me about what lay ahead. Then I was handed 20 pages of a prepared "Reviewer's Guide" with suggestions for putting TaxCut through its paces. Since I have always used the "Shoe Box" method of retaining paperwork for tax filing, and have not yet sorted into groups for my current year, I have used my 1996 completed 1040 to insert data into this review test run. 

 Installing the program was simple and without hassle, using Windows 95 running on my Pentuim/166. The Mac version was not included on the CD, though shown on the package, and would have to be downloaded. You are given a chance to download updates at the start of the program, but required an already established 'net connection to contact the site. Then go to "Tech Support" to find "97 Fed Updates" requiring about ten minutes download time to get the program for installing the update. You will need a sound card for there are several Videos embedded for instructions, 8 MB RAM, 20 MB disk space, 256 color SVGA, printer, 2x + CD, mouse, and modem for updates and/or electronic filing. 

 You are gently led, step by step in getting into the program itself, but be prepared to input completed data about yourself, spouse, dependents, and final subtotals for each line you will use on the forms, for this program computes the relationship and interaction of your data input, not the data itself. You can import bookkeeping data from other programs such as Quicken, Managing Your Money, and Microsoft Money, TaxCut '96 or TurboTax '96 to mention a few, or keyboard enter from manual ledgers. There is a check sheet at the start of the program to show you what to collect to fill out the forms. 

 Data can be entered by the program as an answer to "leading questions", or entered directly into the form line by keyboard entry. Correction of data presented can be done by using an "override" function, but the program will not recompute that line unless the "override" is removed to restore program control of that line. I used both entry methods, since I used a completed 1040 as source material. You work from a subdivided screen, with a detailed Check List down the left side of the screen that enters a white check mark in a box while working that subject, and changes the check to green when you have finished that subject. Across the top,eight buttons quickly shift you to various major parts of the program: I.E. Quick Start, Q&A, Forms, Auditor, Reports, State Tax, Print and File, and Next Year. Instructions and questions to answer are presented in the top center portion and the "Next" or "Back" buttons are lower right. Bottom Center is a box showing running subtotals of Gross Income, Taxable Income, Fed Tax, Total Payments,Penalties, and Amount You Owe. 

 The IRS states that it takes more than 12 hours for the average taxpayer to complete a 1040, which is cut to about 2 hours using TaxCut, assuming of course, that you have all data subtotaled and at hand when you set down. TaxCut supports more than 100 IRS forms, worksheets, and schedules. 

 If you wish to file electronically, the first return cost is included in the purchase price, but additional returns have a fee of $9.95 each. The Computer City flyer for mid January listed the standard TaxCut for $15.99, with a mail in rebate of $15.99, resulting in a FREE program. 

 I have never been fond of paperwork and bookkeeping, and if I did not have such an excellent tax preparer, I can see where I could benefit greatly by using this program for filing the annual return. I would have to abandon my shoe box and couple this to a bookkeeping program to really benefit, though. 

 Charles Law is retired military and has enjoyed San Antonio since early 1976. Starting out on a TRS-80, with a brief exposure to a CPM, and finally to an IBM clone, he enjoys putting computer parts together to see if they make a whole.