Laser printed smart forms.

• Author: Wasserman, William E.
• Position: Includes evaluation of legal CD-ROMs and Package X Plus legal forms software

The advantages of a laser form library were discussed in the January column (TTA, Jan. 1992, at 62), which closed with a wish for a series of "Smart Forms" that would contain spreadsheet logic. It now seems that ATX Forms has developed such a package, Package X Plus, using the graphics features contained within Lotus 1-2-3 and Microsoft Excel. Package X Plus presently contains over 250 commonly used Federal forms including Form 709, U.S. Gift Tax Return; and income tax returns for individuals, fiduciaries, partnerships and corporations with various supporting schedules. All forms will work interchangeably with different returns, and a CPA can prepare any type of return with one program.

The schedules are linked to the main forms through a common spreadsheet interface, in a series of linked spreadsheets; anyone familiar with Lotus or Excel will find tax preparation simply an extension of other work they are doing with spreadsheets. The graphic interface displays the forms on the computer monitor screen and data can be inputted in the same way it is entered onto a blank tax form. Prior years' client information is updated through a carryforward worksheet, which also serves as a reminder of carryforward items.

Using a common spreadsheet interface allows for a host of new possibilities in tax practice management through integration with a relational database program. For example, the process of preparing applications for extension of time to file can be managed by using the resources of a CPA tickler database. The names, addresses, taxpayer identification numbers and relevant financial data for each client can be taken from the tickler and put into the appropriate extension request form. In a similar manner, data maintained in an accounting system, such as Quicken, can be moved to the appropriate input area on the spreadsheet.

Each form can be customized to accommodate a client's particular needs. One individual's tax form can be linked to his accounting system, while another individual's files can be built around the schedules contained within the spreadsheet. Best of all, CPAs can construct annotated worksheets reflecting their own detailed allocations and calculations, and link the resulting totals to the appropriate input cells on the return. Any changes to the underlying worksheet would automatically flow to the return. Furthermore, each form can be modified to allow additional space for lengthy descriptions (although IRS guidelines would...