Tax Assistant

Tax Assistant v2 (c) 1996, by Christopher M. Wells

Requirements:  This program requires the following VB4 runtime files to run:

For 32 bit Windows versions (NT/95) these files are available as
VB432REQ.ZIP (On Compuserve: Go PCNEW) and the included files are:

	VB40032.DLL
	VEN2232.OLB
	OLEPRO32.DLL
	MSVCRT20.DLL
	MSVCRT40.DLL
	ctl3d32.dll
	COMDLG32.OCX
	MFC40.DLL
	GRID32.OCX
	MSCOMM32.OCX


For 16 bit Windows (3.xx) versions these files are available as 
VB416REQ.ZIP (On Compuserve Go PCNEW) and the included files are:

	VB40016.DLL
	OC25.DLL
	OLE2.DLL
	TypeLib.DLL
	OLE2DISP.DLL
	OLE2Prox.DLL
	OLE2.CONV.DLL
	COMPOBJ.DLL
	OLE2REG.DLL
	OLE2NLS.DLL
	STDOLE.TLB
	STORAGE.DLL
	SCP.DLL
	VAEN21.OLB
	Ctl3dv2.DLL
	COMDLG16.OCX
	MSCOMM16.OCX

(On Compuserve Go PCNEW, Look for VB416REQ.ZIP)

Put (unzip) all files into the Windows\System\ directory. If these files don't exist, the program will not run.





Introduction

This program provides users a simple to use,  yet functional program that tracks Tax data,  including personal and business,  expenses and incomes.  The program then totals the amounts for many of the line items in the 1040 form.  Basically,  a simple tax record database.  Version 2 adds multiple document interface, undo, and more sophisticated sorting.
This file can be accessed at any time by pressing the F1 key from Win95.



Tax Assistant Form Help

The main form allows users to scroll through present records, add & delete records.  As this is a multiple document form, all actions affect the active document only.

The main form, when no files are open, has the following controls available.
File menu: Standard file operations.
	New: Open a new file to enter record in.
	Open: Open an existing file.
	Exit: Quit.

Help Menu: Standard help options:
About:  Gives a message describing the program with version, etc.
How to register:  Push this to display the registration form.
Help: Displays this file or simple help for Win3.xx.



When any files are open the following controls are available (if windows are not minimized):

Personal:  	Specifies that a record is to be a personal record.
Business:	Specifies that a record to be a business record.

Expense: 	Specifies that a record is to be an expense.
Income:	  	Specifies that a record is to be an income.

Add:	Adds a record.
Delete:	Deletes the current record.
Show Totals:     Displays the form that shows the totals for specified tax items.

First:	Moves to the first record.
Previous:   Moves to the previous record.
Next:	Moves to the next record.
Last:	Moves to the last record.

Note that there is a Scroll Bar at the bottom that also performs these actions. The label at the bottom gives the present record number or indicates that a new record is being added.

Description: 	Enter a description of the record (i.e. Paid for Tax Assistant).
Date:		Enter the date of the transaction (present date is the default).
Invoice number:	Enter the Invoice number.
Amount:		Enter the amount of the transaction,  use number or it will be rejected (you will be prompted if this happens.
Pay Method:	There is a list of options, push the arrow to show it.  You can add to it if you wish (i.e. Check No. 135).
Expense Type:	There is a list of options, push the arrow to show it.  You can only use the displayed types.   Only available for expenses.
Income Type:	There is a list of options, push the arrow to show it.  You can only use the displayed types.  Only available for incomes.
Paid to/by:	Enter the recipient or payer of the item.

Note that only Amount and Date need to have a value,  but for future reference,  it is better to enter as more info.



File Menu:
New file: Opens a new file. This is a standard file open box.  Give a name and the file will be created.
Open File:  Opens an existing file.  Works like as standard open file box.  Data files for this program have the '.dat' extension.
Close and Save File:  Closes and saves a file.
Save File as:  A standard save box.  Enter a name and the present document will be saved to that name,  use a '.dat.' extension.
Exit:  Exit.
There is also a list of recent files, click one and it will be loaded.

Records Menu:
Search for...:	Displays an input box in which the user can enter characters, words or a phrase for which to search.
Add a Record:	Adds a record. The present record will be saved if changes have been made.
Delete current record:	Removes a record.
Undo Present Record Changes: Undoes all changes made to the present record since it was loaded.
Sort Records by Date:	Sorts all records by date.
Sort Records by Type:	Sorts all records by type and then date.

Help Menu: 	About:  Gives a message describing the program with version, etc.
		How to register:  Same as in Configure menu.
		Help: Displays this file or simple help for Win3.xx.




Tax Form Totals form:

This form displays the a list of records that fit the Expense or Income Type chosen from a list that corresponds to tax form types.  

Controls on this form include:

Personal:	Specifies that a record is to be a personal record.
Business:	Specifies that a record to be a business record.

Expense:	Specifies that a record is to be an expense.
Income:	Specifies that a record is to be an income.

Expense Type:	There is a list of options, push the arrow to show it.  You can only use the displayed types.   Only available for expenses.
Income Type:	There is a list of options, push the arrow to show it.  You can only use the displayed types.  Only available for incomes.
Total:		The total for all records of the chosen type is displayed here.

The boxes show the indicated information in list form.  The rightmost box displays a running total.  All record are displayed in the order in which they were entered.

File Menu:
Print: Prints the displayed form.
Print All: This simply prints all records with no totals.
	Exit:  Exit.

Help Menu: 	About:  Gives a message describing the program with version, etc.
		How to register:  Same as in Configure menu.
		Basic Help:  Displays basic help for this form.
		Help: Displays this file for WIN95,NT or nothing for Win3.xx.

Records Menu:
Sort Records by Date:	Sorts all records by date.
Sort Records by Type:	Sorts all records by type and then date.



Registration!      :    To access other help topics push 'Contents' from the help screen.

Registering provides many conveniences and advantages.  First, you will receive a registered copy of the newest version of the program.  Second registered users are entitled to support, and a phone number will be provided.  Also,  you will be supporting the shareware concept.   Finally, using an illegal, unregistered program sets a bad example for employees or coworkers.   If you use someone else's property, you have to pay for it.
How to Register:  Use the 'How to Register' menu option of the 'Help' menus found on both forms.  Click with the mouse, or tab button, to make each entry box available, and then enter the appropriate information.  When you are finished, push the print button and the completed form will be printed (if the printer is on and set up).  Then send the form and $25 to my address on the form. If you like this program, please feel free to contact me through Email,   etc., concerning improvements or updates.  If you have good ideas,  I may include them in future versions, or a customization arrangement may be made.  Thank you for your support and cooperation!  If you decide to not register then remove it with the uninstall program (through  Add/Remove Programs found in the Control Panel of My Computer on the Desktop). There is in depth help for Registration on the registration form.   Click the help button.




Planned Upgrades for Future Versions
In the future, I would like to add more tax assistance to this program.  As we all know,  taxes aren't easy or fun.  These possibilities and/or others will be motivated by customer feedback or divine inspiration.  Of course,   if no one uses the program (i.e. registers),  why bother?




Product support
Only with the registered version,  if you have questions or comments,  you can Email me (Chris Wells) at
103132.1363@COMPUSERVE.COM




 Disclaimer: 
Due to the complexity of  PC Hardware and the operating systems therein,  I cannot guarantee that this software will run in each environment,  on every compatible machine,  or together with any other application,  without producing errors.  Any liability for damages of any sort is hereby rejected.  In any case, the liability is limited to the registration fee.