Wondering what to do next?

A drop down menu appears showing more choices

(Clicking the mouse on the menu bar item or pressing the down arrow key has the same effect)

Press 'enter' key when desired action is highlighted

Another way to access the menu - hold down the Alt key then press the highlighted letter of the top menu bar action you want. The key you will use most will be the 'E' for Edit return - just enter Alt E

We will repeat these tips in the Edit help topic, but we mention them here because you might forget where you read them.

TaxBoss breaks the return form up into items, and each item contains a maximum of 100 lines into which you can enter your data. (When you start editing an item there will only be a couple of lines. The first will be a beginning line with the description of the item - that will be record number 1. And there will be a final record number 99. Don't edit these lines - they are required by TaxBoss to help it navigate its way around your return form file.

If this all sounds a bit complicated, don't worry. TaxBoss will offer you the next blank line number each time you start to edit an item.

No problem!

In a perfect world, you would never make a mistake - but we are still to discover that world, so TaxBoss lets you get rid of unwanted lines in the return form.

Just choose the item number again from the Edit menu and when the item (including the record with the incorrect information) is displayed, enter the number of the record you wish to re-edit. You will be told that record already exists, and asked if you wish to re-edit it.

If you answer 'Yes' to this question, the record will be erased and you can re-enter the details.

If you answer 'No' to this question, you will be asked if you want to erase the whole item. You might want to do this if you realise you have been entering your pension income in the interest item, or some other such calamity. Choosing 'No' will allow you to start again with a clean slate.

First some good advice.

Don't use this method.

TaxBoss makes use of various parts of the return form (not all of which are visible on screen) to assist in the editing process. If you delete a significant line of the return - the results are unpredictable.

So why make a dangerous method available to the user?

There are some items on the form that can not be edited in the normal manner. In such cases it is not possible to use the method outline above to fix major blunders.

Still want to use this method?

All right. But may we suggest you save the return file first? Done that? Now continue…

When the return form is displayed, hold the Alt key and press the Delete key at the same time. TaxBoss will ask you if you wish to delete the line.

You have been warned…..

When TaxBoss requires you to enter the address of a taxpayer, it provides you with a pick list of Australian states. You should highlight the state of residence before you do anything else. This will cause TaxBoss to load a pick list of cities, towns and villages in that state. When you click on the scroll bar of the cities edit, this list will appear. Rather than scrolling down through hundreds of entries, just enter the first few letters of the city. This will cause the pick list to scroll down to the cities beginning with those letters. Then just click on the city you wish to enter, and that city and its postcode will appear in the relevant edit boxes.

The File drop down menu shows the Filing actions from which you can choose.

Press 'enter' key when desired action is highlighted

To do this you will move the highlight to the name of the file you wish to load by pressing the arrow key up or down the pick list presented to you.

When you wish to load return you have saved previously, you will be presented with a pick list of the ledger files in the data subdirectory (usually the \data sub directory). Use the up/down arrow key (or mouse) to highlight the name of the return you wish to load then press the 'enter' key. The return will be copied to the files used by the BOSS..... ‚

WARNING!!! If you have not saved the return you are working on before you load the new return, you could lose a lot of your work

When you first choose the Save option, you will be asked to enter the first 6 characters of the taxpayer's family name, and then 2 initials. (If the taxpayer has only one given name, use the first 2 characters of the given name). These 8 characters will become the disk id - the name under which the taxpayer's file will be stored. If the characters you enter already exist, you will be asked if you wish to over write the file which is currently stored under that disk if. If you do not wish to over write existing file, change the disk id slightly. You might wish to substitute a number, such as 2 for the second of the initials.

. The second page of this dialog contains details about the return's preparation and the tax liability.

TAXBOSS maintains your returns in 2 files, which take the name you, give to the taxpayer disk file. The return form ends in .DB and the index file, which allows TAXBOSS to navigate its way around that return form ends in .PX

TAXBOSS will retain the details you have entered into the return until you load a blank return form, to enable to prepare a return for a new taxpayer. You should make sure you chose the correct return form for the taxpayer.

WARNING!!! If you have not saved the return you are working on before you load the new return, you could lose a lot of your work

After the splash screen, which appears when you run TaxBoss, a dialogue, asks your permission to load a blank individual return form file. Just choose No and the return you were working on last time you ran TaxBoss will be loaded into memory.

If you have been counting, you know that TaxBoss keeps

You can view the client text file by clicking on the 'see log file' button of the dialog which is shown when you load or save a file.

This file can be used as a record of all your dealings with a taxpayer and can be viewed and edited by your word processor for any correspondence you enter into with a taxpayer. If you use this file with your word processor, make sure to make 2 copies - a plain vanilla text file version that TaxBoss can read, as well as a copy that your word processor can use.

You can use this file over the years to build up a record of all your dealings with the taxpayer.

The client text file uses a pop up menu, which you call by right clicking the mouse anywhere on the screen.

When you right click the mouse, you will be offered a menu of choices which will enable you to edit, save and print the client text file

The Edit return option allows you to enter details of income, deductions rebates, and other information required by the Tax Commissioner

you MAY NOT be entitled to the exemption on the first $5400 of your taxable income. If any of these applied to you, choose this option and enter details.

TaxBoss breaks the return form file up into 100 line blocks of item numbers for each item of income, deduction or rebate. You will be shown the block of lines for the item you wish to Edit, and you just choose a number which is not yet present on the return form, if you wish to enter new information, or an existing number if you wish to edit an entry.

You only have to enter the last 2 digits of the number. For example, if you have chosen item number 200 (Allowances, etc) and wish to enter a payment received at line 10, you would enter the number 10 in the dialog box presented to you.

TaxBoss will usually present you with the number of the next free record. You can accept this by tabbing to the next edit on the dialog box. If you do no wish to accept the record number offered to you, just overwrite it.

Be careful when you edit salary or trust income and medical rebates. You will have to enter each record number yourself as TaxBoss will not try to guess the next available line for you

When you have chosen the line number you wish to fill in, you will be asked for the information to be inserted in that line. You will enter this information in a dialog box, which will usually ask you for a description (in words) of the item, and the amount (in figures).

Just enter the description (press 'enter' key if you don't wish to describe it)

THEN PRESS THE TAB KEY to move to the next input line (usually amount) (mouse click it if you prefer a rodent to a keyboard). Then TAB (or mouse click) to the OK button in the dialog box to enter your data into the return form.

You can keep tabbing or mouse clicking around the dialog box until you are ready to press 'enter' on the OK button. (Hold the control key down and press TAB to go backwards). Pressing the 'enter' key on the Cancel button will drop you out of the editing process

You tabbed or mouse clicked your way around the dialog box until you were ready to press 'enter' on the OK button.

You pressed the OK button, and then you realised you made a mistake.

No problem!

Just choose the item number again from the Edit menu and when the item (including the record with the incorrect information) is displayed, enter the number of the record you wish to re-edit. You will be told that record already exists, and asked if you wish to re-edit it.

If you answer 'Yes' to this question, the record will be erased and you can re-enter the details.

If you answer 'No' to this question, you will be asked if you want to erase the whole item. You might want to do this if you realise you have been entering your pension income in the interest item, or some other such calamity. Choosing 'No' will allow you to start again with a clean slate.

First some good advice.

Don't use this method.

TaxBoss makes use of various parts of the return form (not all of which are visible on screen) to assist in the editing process. If you delete a significant line of the return - the results are unpredictable.

So why make a dangerous method available to the user?

There are some items on the form that can not be edited in the normal manner. In such cases it is not possible to use the method outline above to fix major blunders.

Still want to use this method?

All right. But may we suggest you save the return file first? Done that? Now continue…

When the return form is displayed, hold the Alt key and press the Delete key at the same time. TaxBoss will ask you if you wish to delete the line.

You have been warned…..

It will also ask you to nominate how many copies of the cover you wish to print. 

When you choose the print option, you will be shown a dialogue, which suggests the numbers of each type of hardcopy output. You can adjust the numbers by mouse clicking on the up down arrows, or physically keying in the quantity for each type of printed output.

 A dialog box will ask you to confirm that your printer is ready - tab to the OK button and press enter (or mouse click).

The drop down menu shows the Electronic Lodgment options from which you can choose. Press 'enter' key or click when desired action is highlighted

TaxBoss produces a return file that can be printed out and sent to the Tax Office. However, the version of the return that is transmitted via your phone line tot he Tax Office Data Take On computer is a lot different. It consists of a text file containing the various pieces of information required by the Electronic Lodgment System. Each such piece of information contains a 3 character identifying tag. This option translates the file TaxBoss has prepared into the tagged text file, which will be transmitted to the Tax Office computer.

 Before you can translate the return you must save it.

 To avoid the problem of transmitting returns with mistakes in them, the Commissioner requires that each file be checked before being transmitted. These edit tests will look for anomalies, such as the amount of tax instalment deductions being greater than the amount of income from which they have been deducted. When such errors are found, TaxBoss offers you the chance to correct any possible errors.

NOTE that you must regenerate your ELS return AGAIN after fixing the problems

 Once the returns have been checked, a copy of the ELS file will be saved, using the disk id as a file name, to the \TaxBoss\elsfiles subdirectory. They will be held in that sub directory until you are ready to transmit them.

Ensure your modem is connected then choose this option to transmit the returns.

You will be shown a terminal screen, with buttons across the top, which allow you to

When you have transmitted your returns, you will receive a TRANSMISSION REPORT from the system, which tells you they got onto the Tax Office Data Take On Machine. But that is only half the battle. If an error slipped through the edit tests, the return will be rejected and you will be told so in the VALIDATION REPORT. If the transmission was ok, the validation report will confirm this.

You may find you get this information without asking for it - the system will send you this information before accepting any returns you have opted to send it.

The ELS system requires you to change your password on a regular basis. This option offers you the chance to do so without being told to the ELS system.

Want to see the VALIDATION or TRANSMISSION REPORTS after they have been transmitted? Choose this option then choose the reports you want from the pick list.

Having problems getting your data to transmit. This option will tell you exactly what happened during your last attempt. It will be useful to have this information displayed if you are talking to some one at a help desk. You are given three options, each containing a slightly different view of what the modem sent and received.

This dialog will ask you for various details that are used when your modem dials up the ELS system. Once you have entered them in this dialog, TaxBoss will do all the work for you every time you use your modem to phone up the Tax Office computer. It is just a case of set and forget, but if the information is not set correctly, you will not get through to the Tax Office computer.

The Electronic Lodgment System uses the Austpac Packet Switching Network. So you need to have a registration with Austpac before you can gain access to the Tax Office ELS system. (If you do not have such a registration, contact the ELS section in the Tax Office and ask for details)

You insert the number assigned to you by Austpac as a Network User ID (NUI)

You have to be registered with the Tax Office as an ELS user before you will be granted access to their system. When you register, you will be given a personal user ID. (If you do not have a USER ID contact the ELS section in the Tax Office and ask for one)

You insert the number assigned to you by the Tax Office as a USER ID

When the Tax Office registers you, they will provide you with the password. You can change that password whenever you want. If fact the ELS system will require you to change it on a periodic basis. When this happens, the new password you enter will be recorded here. However the first time you use the system, you will have to enter it here.

The Tax Office requires software to be approved before it can be used to access the ELS system. This approval is given on an annual basis after the Tax Office staff asks the producer to perform certain editing tests. The TAXBOSS registration number will be inserted here.

The telephone number your modem dials to get on to the AustPac system Depends on the speed at which it transmits bits of information (the baud rate). You can enter the number to dial and the type of your modem in this dialog.

When you save a return file, you will be presented with a dialog, which contains all the information that will be printed on the cover of the return form. This information is held in a database file called taxpayer.db. It contains the details for all the taxpayers for whom you prepare returns. The second page of this dialog contains details about the return's preparation and the tax liability.

TaxBoss prepares an estimate of how much tax it expects to be payable when it prints out the hard copy of the return form.

You can check this estimate when you receive the assessment from the Tax Office to see any variation and update the record with the Tax Office figures if they differ.

This option will produce a hard copy letter showing the result of the assessment and an invoice

If the tax return contains income from a business, you can use TaxBoss to insert the various pieces of information the Commissioner requires from the accounts directly into the return form. You use the Accounts function in either of two ways.

Either way, you should do this before you enter the business income into the return.

This option brings up a dialog box, which allows you to make the BOSS work the way you want it to. You can enter:

Tab (or mouse click) your way through the dialog box, entering the data you wish to change as you go, until you get to the OK button. This information will be written to the file BOSSETUP.TXT when you click or press the 'enter' key on the OK button. Each time the BOSS starts up, it reads this file to ensure it works the way you want it to.

 You can also view the diary that TaxBoss maintains each time you load a new file to see how much time you spent.

TaxBoss help files are Hyper Text Mark-up Language (HTML) files. This is the sort of file you see when you are viewing world wide web pages on the inter net.

Most of the modern word processors allow you to edit HTML files. So if you wish to change anything or add to a TaxBoss help file, just load it into your HTML capable word processor and customise it to your own needs. (Make a copy first just in case anything goes wrong). You will find the TaxBoss help files in the \TaxBoss\tax_help sub directory.