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