README.txt for QITC_DEM.xls Demo.  ver 1_1_03

EDCO Software, Inc. Quarterly Installment and Withholding Tax Calculator for IRS Form 2210 Schedule AI for year 2003 (including May, 2003 tax law changes, and prior years. 

As far as we know this is the only program available that will compute your Annualized Installments as they come due using current year tax rates and forms.  This is our 6th year and we appreciate your comments and advice as to any errors or improvements. Few people realize the normal deferral advantages in using the Annualized Income Method for computing their quarterly installments, let alone the advantageous distortions normally created that could reduce the initial deposit by as much as $1,000, and often to zero. 

This Version 5.6.03 incorporates IRS forms for 2002 and will be updated as 2003 forms become available.   

We used 800 X 600 Large Font screen resolution to create the program. You may have to change your screen resolution to read the instructions for correcting this.  You can unprotect each Worksheet (except 1040) to change Format.  The 1040 Worksheet cannot be formatted until your copy is registered

There is enough information on the READ ME FIRST PLEASE Worksheet to "test" the program (which is on the 1040 Worksheet in columns B through J) and understand what it will do. There is an active demonstrator with walk though instructions on the DEMONSTRATOR  worksheet, and specific instructions in pop-up comments at virtually every cell.     

THere are no Macros in this file.  If you are prompted, just don't activate them.  
You have downloaded a Free Demonstrator spreadsheet for direct reading by Excel 97. If you do not have Microsoft Excel97 or 2000, or Office97 or 2000 on your computer, copy the spreadsheet to a floppy and read it on a computer that has Excel 97. 

You can make your entries and save as a different, or the same file name on the floppy and not leave any evidence of it on the Excel 97 computer.  Each spreadsheet file is about 700K so 2 (the original plus a working copy) should easily fit onto a standard floppy. Other spreadsheet programs and Microsoft Works and Excel95 will not read the program and a Excel97 "reader" will not allow any input.  

To start, you must unzip the QITC_DEM.xls file. Put it in any Directory you use for your Spreadsheets, Data, Taxes, whatever.  Then start Excel 97, go to your directory and open the QITC_DEM.xls file, or just double-click on unzipped file to load Excel 97 and this spreadsheet.  If you cannot unzip, or have any trouble, e-mail us and we will e-mail you an unzipped copy.   


Instead of questions, the program logic is direct fill-in to the lines of the IRS Form 1040, Schedule A and D (summaries). Although the program calculates extensive information and dollar limitations from your input, you must know if you generally qualify for credits and deductions.

This file, qitc_dem.xls spreadsheet is FREE.  You may pass it on to anyone, or install it on multiple computers.  It is, however, copywrited and cannot be used for commercial purposes, nor sold. You can register to receive Revisions of the Demonstrator for $5, or for $18 we will unblock columns E,F & G to compute the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter of 2210 Schedule AI.  

The QITC Program will NOT prepare nor print any actual IRS Forms, (although you can print the spreadsheet and it provides all the line-by-line values for you to fill in on each IRS Form, Schedule and Worksheet it calculates, including the full Form 1040), nor will it ask you the questions leading to the application of many rules, so it is not a substitute for a Tax Program, unless you do your own 1040 by hand and just need an accurate calculator.  Its purpose is to be used long before you can buy a formal Tax Program for the current year, so it can also be used in advance as a whole year Tax Estimator.
   
The program will show "what-if" situations such as the limitations on credits due to the Tentative Minimum Tax, the high income effect on Schedule A (itemized deductions), Social Security, personal exemptions, and all credits phase-outs if you enter various input values.  Using Excel's split screen capabilities greatly enhances this feature.  It is ideal for estimating Taxes, Installments and Withholding and adjusting them to avoid Penalties.

The program even shows you how much you'd earn, at 5%, on the tax you defer using our program versus the "safe harbor" method of 1/4 of last year's tax each quarter.

Since the IRS continually makes changes, we provide FREE Technical Support by e-mail, and free update revisions in the registered version.  Please e-mail us with any questions about the operation of the program, or any difficulties you encounter.  We value your comments and suggestions.

To purchase the registered version by credit card, go to our website http://www.edcosoft.com.  Or, fill in the form near the end of the INSTRUCTIONS.  E-mail a confirmation and mail the form with your check. We will use a return of your e-mail to advise you how to unlock the Demonstrator to become a full registered Program.  No discs.  Credit card orders are processed through our secure website only.  You must have a copy of this downloaded qitc_dem.xls to activate into a registered program. 

We have chosen the spreadsheet format for this program to download faster, no installation hassells, no Windows registery files, no uninstall, immediate view of results from a change of input data, user linking to other spreadsheets, etc. Occasionally the formulas will corrupt and a #REF! appears somewhere. If this occurs we will replace your file free, however, please tell us where it occurred, particularly if it was there when you first downloaded. The rare instances of a miscalculation can often be seen as an incongrous calculated number.

Thank you again for your interest in our program.  