1995 STATE TAX EDGE FOR WINDOWS README Welcome to the State Tax Edge for Windows README file. This file contains important information for you to know as you begin using the program. Caution: We strongly recommend you import your federal return. Many of the calculations in State Tax Edge depend on information imported from your federal return. Without this information your state return may not be accurate. OBTAINING REPLACEMENT DISKS Usually, you will receive one of the following messages if you have a bad disk: "General failure error reading drive..." "Sector not found.." "CRC error..." "Bad sector..." "Unrecoverable read error..." "Address mark not found..." To check your disks, use the DISKCOPY command to copy the entire disk. DISKCOPY will report any bad sectors (see your DOS manual). To order a replacement for a defective disk call Technical Support at 1-319-395-7314. Within 30 days of purchase, we replace disks free. After this, contact Technical Support for prices. STATE TAX EDGE TECHNICAL SUPPORT To ensure that you receive assistance in using State Tax Edge when you need it, we're extending our technical support hours for State Tax Edge beginning January 15. Call 1-319-395-7314 to speak with one of our technical support representatives during the days and times listed below. All times shown are Central Standard Time. STATE TAX EDGE TECHNICAL SUPPORT HOURS Until January 12: Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. January 15-April 15: Monday thru Friday, 7 a.m.-Midnight Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, Noon - 6 p.m. STARTUP PROBLEMS If you experience problems starting the program in Windows 3.1 and receive the message "Unable to Initialize Tools..", open the Windows Control Panel and select "Fonts". In the "Fonts" dialog, click the "True Type" button. Make sure that "Enable TrueType Fonts" is checked (marked with an "X"). PRINTING PROBLEMS If you experience problems printing tax forms, one of these suggestions may solve your problem: 1. Please allow ample time for "Graphic" printing to complete the print job. Depending upon how your particular printer spools the print job, and the amount of memory in the printer itself, it could take anywhere from 5-15 minutes to print each page. 2. If you are having problems with laser printing, install the RAW.DRV printer driver located in the PTE directory. In the Windows Control Panel, choose the Printers icon. Click the Add button, then select Install Unlisted or Updated Printer. Click the Install button. From this window click the Browse button to select the PTE directory. Click the OK button to install the driver. In Personal Tax Edge when you select to print Laser Graphic Forms, click the Setup button and choose the Raw Printer Driver. Note: This driver only works for laser printing. 3. If you are attempting a "Print to file" in order to print at another printer or location, use the following steps: Step 1: Use "Print to file" within PTE, typing either "a:\filename" or "b:\filename" to specify your floppy drive in the "Print to file" dialog. Step 2: Take floppy to the remote location. Step 3: From the DOS prompt, assuming the disk is in the 'A' drive, type the following: "a:" press your Enter key. Type "TAXFORMS", press your Enter key. Note: Use a new blank formatted diskette for each return you "Print to file". 4. If you are using a postscript printer and are having problems printing in "Laser Graphic" format, try choosing the "Graphic" option within the program. 5. If you are using a Citizen 9-pin printer or printer that emulates an Epson 9-pin printer, install the Epson FX-85 printer driver. If you are using a Citizen 24-pin printer, or printer that emulates an Epson 24-Pin printer, install the Epson LQ-850 printer driver. 6. Obtain and install the latest version of the printer driver for your printer and select it as the default. Consult your printer manufacturer for the latest printer driver information, and refer to your Windows User's Guide for installation instructions. STATE UNDERPAYMENT of ESTIMATED TAX FORM Many State Tax Edge programs include a form that calculates the Underpayment of State Estimated Taxes. This form calculates a penalty when the taxpayer has not paid enough tax to the state through withholding and estimated tax payments. If your state program includes this form and the information on the Basic Information Worksheet has been completed, the program will automatically calculate to determine if this penalty is applicable. This form will sometimes be calculated even though you have underpaid your taxes and no penalty is applicable. The program will only print this form with your state return if the penalty is applicable or if other state filing requirements for this form are met. DOWNLOADING FORMS Although STE includes many of the most commonly used tax forms, there may be forms you need that are not supported by the program. If you have a modem and access to the Internet, you can download any form on our World Wide Web site. Our Internet download forms address is: http://www.parsonstech.com/pte/irsforms.html You can print downloaded forms in STE by selecting Print Blank Forms from the File menu.