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All Topics Audit Bridging Data Links Operation Tax Computations

 

Audit

• How do I forgo all carrybacks?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  On the Miscellaneous Taxes and Recapture input worksheet screen input a "Y" on the "Disable All (Y/N)" row.

• Why do I get unexplained adjustments?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  You can receive unexplained adjustments for a number of reasons:

  • You did not set up an adjustment on a data entry row where you have a difference between an amount in the "as filed" case and an amount in the "as adjusted" case. Make sure you set up an adjustment on such rows with the "F4" key.
  • You did not check all the calculated adjustments marked as "yes." Click Audit, then Calculated Adjustments, to view the Calculated Adjustments dialog box. Check any boxes marked "yes."
  • You are using the abbreviated return data worksheet incorrectly. Make sure you set up your adjustments on a custom worksheet. One row on the custom worksheet should have the "as filed" amount in the "as adjusted" case. Another row should contain the amount of the adjustment in the "as adjusted" case. Set up your adjustment on the row with the amount of the adjustment in the "as adjusted" case.
• How do I create a proposed adjustment?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  After entering the "as-filed" return data, copy that data into a second case (the "adjusted" case) by changing the number of cases on the Assumptions dialog from one to two. Next activate the audit capabilities of the program by completing the Audit Assumptions dialog (on the Audit menu). Then go to an input worksheet (or a custom worksheet), enter the corrected amount under Case 2, and select Create/Edit Proposed Adjustment from the Audit menu (or press F4). For more details, see Proposed Adjustments and New Analysis with Audit in the program's Help system.

• How do I create a calculated adjustment?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  After activating audit capabilities of the program, select Calculated Adjustments from the Audit menu. Put checkmarks next to calculated adjustments you wish to activate. For more details, see Proposed Adjustments and New Analysis with Audit in the program's Help system.

• When I print the audit forms (Form 4549-A, 4549-B, 5701, etc.), the lines appear as dashes. Why don't they appear as solid lines as they did in the DOS program?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  In order to print solid lines, the program requires the MS LineDraw font. That font is probably not installed on your computer. Please contact BNA Software technical support for further information. Their number is given under Technical Support on the Help menu.

• When I create a custom worksheet, the program uses the caption from the parent row (e.g. "Gross Receipts") as the caption for the first row of the custom worksheet. I want to replace that caption with "As Filed", but it is a lot of trouble to backspace and type "As Filed", particularly if I want to create several custom worksheets. Is there an easier way?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  Yes. When you create your first custom worksheet, press Shift-Home to highlight the old caption. Then simply type "As Filed", and the old caption will be replaced with the new one.

  If you want to use "As Filed" in another custom worksheet, you can save it to the clipboard. First highlight it by pressing Shift-Home again; then press Ctrl-C. The next time you create a new custom worksheet, highlight the old caption as before by pressing Shift-Home. Then, instead of typing, press Ctrl-V. The old caption will be replaced by "As Filed”.

Bridging

• Does the Corporate Tax Analyzer bridge with any 1120 tax preparation programs?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  The Corporate Tax Analyzer bridges with the RIA GoSystem Tax 1120 tax preparation program.

• Does the Corporate Tax Analyzer bridge with the RIA InSource CS - Domestic Income Tax 1120 tax preparation program?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  No.

• How do I obtain the GoSystem bridge?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  Contact your RIA Sales Representative at 1-800-950-1216.

Data Links

• Can I create a link from BNA Corporate Tax Analyzer to Excel?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  Yes, if you have the BNA Corporate Tax Audit Analyzer (CTAA) version 2001.2 or later you may now link from CTA to Excel as well as from Excel to CTA.

• How do I create a link from Excel to BNA Corporate Tax Analyzer?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  In Excel, open the file where the link will originate and select one or more cells. In Corporate Tax Analyzer, move the cursor to the cell that will receive the link and select Create/Edit Excel Link from the Edit menu. Establish the link by clicking on the Link Selected Cells button. See the Create/Edit Link from Excel to CTA dialog in the program's Help system for details.

• I have a link from BNA Corporate Tax Analyzer to Excel. Why don't the cells in CTA change when I change my Excel workbook?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  In order to transfer the new numbers from Excel to BNA Corporate Tax Analyzer, you must select Update Links From Excel (on the Edit menu). The transfer is not done automatically.

• When I replicate new cases, there is an option to replicate the BNA Corporate Tax Analyzer links to Excel but it seems to have no effect even if I change a number in one of the new cases and update. Why?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  This option applies to links from Excel into CTA but not from CTA into Excel. Many CTA cells can receive data from the same Excel cell, but the one Excel cell cannot receive data from many CTA cells.

• Why doesn't Excel start when I am updating links in BNA Corporate Tax Analyzer?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  Excel does not need to run in order to update links. If Excel is not running, BNA Corporate Tax Analyzer will start Excel in the background, do the updating, and then unload Excel automatically.

Operation

• Why do I receive a code 380 error when I try to print or review a file?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  If you install the program on a different domain as an administrator and print or preview as a user under another domain, you get this error message. You must use the same domain if you wish to print or preview.

• How do I make the Windows icons larger than they appear on screen?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  Click on the Start button. Select Settings, then select Control Panel. Select the Display icon. Select the Settings tab. Adjust the setting by sliding the scale bar to the size and resolution you want.
  

  Common Screen Resolutions:
  800 x 600 pixels (larger icons)
  1024 x 768 pixels
  1280 x 1024 pixels
  1600 x 1200 pixels (smaller icons)

  The lower the resolution (i.e., the smaller the pixel numbers) the bigger the icons become and the fewer items you can fit on the screen.

• How do you do a print preview?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  • Click File on the Menu bar
  • Click Print.
  • Select the radio button for Print Preview
  • And then click the Print button.
    
• How do I edit my audit report?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  You may print the audit report as a text file, which you can then load into a word processing program for editing. After you have set up your audit report in the program, do the following:

  Click File
  Click Print Audit Report
  Click the Radio Button for a Text File
  Click Print

  If you load the file into a word processor, use a fixed pitch font (such as courier new) in the word processor to assure the correct width for the form. You may also need to make adjustments to the right/left margins and to the font size so that the form fits properly on the page.

• How do I open a file created by a previous version?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  If the file was created by version 1998.2 or later, simply open it like any other data file: Select Open from the File menu. If the file was created by an earlier version, see the Opening Files from Previous Versions discussion in the program's Help system.

• How do I change my screen font size?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  Select Screen Fonts from the Tools menu. Select the screen font and font size you find easiest to read. The defaults are:

  Font: MS Sans Serif
  Font style: Bold
  Size: 8

• When I start the program, the screen is empty. Where are Assumptions and the other items that were on the Data Entry Menu?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  Assumptions and Titles for Cases are in the Assumptions pull-down menu. The Main Worksheet, Foreign Tax Credit, and similar items have been moved to the Worksheet List. The Audit Data Entry Menu is now the Audit pull-down menu.

• The calculations have not been updated. How can I tell when the calculations need to be updated?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  "F9 to Calculate" appears in the left side of the status bar (located at the bottom). When you press F9 (or select Calculate Output from the Tools menu), the program will recalculate and "Calcs up to Date" will appear.

  If you wish to turn AutoCalc on, you can do so by selecting the first item, entitled "AutoCalc On," from the Tools menu. That item is a toggle, so the name will be changed to "AutoCalc Off" after you select it, indicating that it will return you to manual calculation when you select it again.

• I printed a worksheet to a text file. However, the columns do not line up when I open the file in my word processing program. How can I correct the problem?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  See the discussion of Printing to a Text File in the program's Help system.

• I inadvertently created several layers of custom worksheets. How do I delete all these custom worksheets?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  Go to the custom worksheet at the second lowest level. Move the cursor to the row where the lowest level custom worksheet is attached (i.e., the "parent" row of the lowest level worksheet). Press Ctrl+Del (or select Delete Custom Worksheet from the Edit menu), and click on the OK button to confirm. The lowest level custom worksheet will be deleted.

  Press the Escape key to move to the next higher level, and press Ctrl+Del again. Repeat the process until all custom worksheets are deleted.

• How do I delete the first two spaces in a custom worksheet caption?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  The program will not let you delete the first two spaces in a custom worksheet caption. They are reserved for the subworksheet indicators ("+", etc.).

Tax Computations

• A corporation has both NOL and contributions carryovers from 1997 to 1998. Why does the program show all of the contributions carryover being absorbed in 1998 even though the contributions deduction was zero in that year?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  The 1998 NOL was not fully absorbed in 1998. The balance was carried forward to 1999. Although the contributions deduction was zero in 1998, the 1997 contributions carryover reduced the amount of the NOL absorbed in 1998, increasing the NOL carryover to 1999. In accordance with 170(d)(2)(B), the program decreased the contributions carryover to 1999 by the amount that the NOL carryover to 1999 was increased. See discussion of the Special Rule of Section 170(d)(2)(B) in the program's Help system.

• A corporation has a 1988 ITC carryover and a 1987 jobs credit carryover. Why does the program use the jobs credit before the ITC? The ordering rule in 38(d) says that ITC should be used first.
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  The ordering rule in 38(d) applies to components of the general business credit (GBC) that arise in the same year. For GBC credits arising in different years, the FIFO rule under 39 applies. That rule says that GBC credits arising in the earliest year are used first. Since the jobs credit is from 1987, in accordance with 39, the program uses it before the ITC from 1988. See discussion of the Ordering of the Components of the General Business Credit in the program's Help system.

• A corporation has a jobs credit carryback from 1984 to 1981. In determining the amount of the jobs credit allowed in 1981, why doesn't the program follow the instructions for the 1981 Form 5884 (Jobs Credit)?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  The 1981 Form 5884 does not apply here. In 1984 the jobs credit became a component of the general business credit (GBC) and lost its identity as a separate, standalone credit. The carryback to 1981 is not a carryback of the jobs credit, it is a carryback of the GBC. The 1981 Form 5884 does not apply to the GBC, which didn't exist at the time the form was written; it applies to the former standalone jobs credit. In accordance with 39(d)(2) (before it was repealed as "deadwood" by the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990), the program determines the amount of GBC carryback allowed in 1981 using the GBC limitation under 38(c), calculated as if the GBC had existed in 1981. See discussion of the GBC Carrybacks to Pre-1984 and Pre-1986 Years in the program's Help system.

• How do I adjust the foreign tax credit limitation for a foreign tax credit category?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  • Open the Worksheet List by typing Control L.
  • Expand the Worksheet List by clicking on the "+" to the left of the "Input Worksheets" Folder.
  • Expand the Worksheet List by clicking on the "+" to the left of the "Credits" Folder.
  • Expand the Worksheet List by clicking on the "+" to the left of the "Foreign Tax Credit" Folder.
  • From the Worksheet List double-click on input Worksheet entitled "FTC - Current". This will activate the FTC Categories dialog box.
  • Choose the radio button labeled "Current" located on the right side of the dialog box.
  • Access the Current FTC Input Worksheet for the Category whose limit you wish to modify by clicking once on the category you wish adjusted and then clicking on the button "Go to Worksheet."
  • On the row entitled "Limitation Adjustment" enter an increase as a positive number or a decrease as a negative number.
• How are Section 382 limits entered into the program?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  • Type Control - L to open the Worksheet List.
  • To open the Section 382 Limitations on NOL Carryovers worksheet, in the Worksheet List: Double-click the "Input Worksheets" folder.
  • Double-click the "Regular Taxable Income" folder.
  • Double-click the "Regular NOLs" folder.
  • Double-click the "Section 382 Limits on NOL Carryovers" worksheet.
  • Use this worksheet to enter the Section 382 limitations.
  • To enter Section 382 Limitations for Alternative Minimum Tax purposes: Type Control - L to open the Worksheet List.
  • To open the SRLY AMT NOL Carryovers to this Year worksheet, in the Worksheet List: Double-click the "Input Worksheets" folder.
  • Double-click the "Alternative Minimum Tax" folder.
  • Double-click the "AMT NOL Carryover" folder.
  • Double-click the "Sec 382 Limits on AMT NOL Carryover" worksheet.
  • Use this worksheet to enter the Section 382 limitations for AMT purposes.
  • To enter Section 382 Limitations for prior years: Type Control - L to open the Worksheet List.
  • To open the Sec 382 Limits on NOL Carryovers worksheets, in the Worksheet List: Double-click the "Input Worksheets" folder.
  • Double-click the "Prior Years" folder.
  • Double-click the "Carryovers from Prior Years" worksheet by double clicking the "+" immediately to the right of the worksheet.
  • Double-click the "Sec 382 Limits on NOL CO" or "Sec 382 Limits on AMT NOL CO" worksheet.
• How do I enter SRLY NOL carryovers?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  To enter SRLY NOL Carryovers:

  • Type Control - L to open the Worksheet List.
  • To open the NOL Carryovers from SRLY worksheet, in the Worksheet List: Double-click the "Input Worksheets" folder.
  • Double-click the "Regular Taxable Income" folder.
  • Double-click the "Regular NOLs" folder.
  • Double-click the "NOL Carryovers from SRLY" worksheet.
  • Use this worksheet to enter the SRLY NOL carryover carried to each year.

  To enter SRLY AMT NOL Carryovers:

  • Type Control - L to open the Worksheet List.
  • To open the AMT NOL Carryovers from SRLY worksheet, in the Worksheet List: Double-click the "Input Worksheets" folder.
  • Double-click the "Alternative Minimum Tax" folder.
  • Double-click the "AMT NOLs" folder.
  • Double-click the "AMT NOL Carryovers from SRLY" worksheet.
  • Use this worksheet to enter the SRLY AMT NOL carryover carried to each year.
• How does the program calculate state taxes?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  The program will calculate the state taxes for only one state in each analysis. The State Total Tax Worksheet is accessed from the Main Worksheet and provides access to the State Income Tax Rates worksheet. It contains the entries used to derive state taxable income from federal taxable income. It also contains entries for state income tax and other state taxes. If this worksheet is activated, you may enter the state income tax yourself or you may activate the State Income Tax Rates worksheet to enter the state rates and brackets and let the program do the calculation.

• Can I adjust the general business credit limitation for a year?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  Yes, you can enter the adjustment on the row entitled "Post-1986 GBC" located four rows from the bottom of the "GBC and Other Credits" input worksheet. You can use this row to adjust the limitation when a net operating loss carryback and the general business credit limitation together create a circular calculation. See the "Limit Changes with Carrybacks" section of the help screen entitled "GBC Limitation for Years Beginning After 1986."

• How do I set up a partially agreed audit report?
  Show the Answer.
  Answer:
  

  To set up a partially agreed case, set up at least three cases in your assumptions. Use case one as your "as filed" return. Use case two as your partially agreed case. Use case three as your unagreed case. To print out the partially agreed report, in audit assumptions use case one as your "as filed" return and case two as your "adjusted return;" then print the desired report. To print out the unagreed report, in audit assumptions use case one as your "as filed" return and case three as your "adjusted return;" then print the desired report.

Need technical support?

Online:	Product Support Form
Telephone:	1-800-424-2938
Hours:	Monday - Friday, 9am - 7pm ET
Fax:	1-703-341-1616

 

Software Updates

The current shipping version of BNA Corporate Tax Analyzer is 2009.3. This CD version shipped on January 14, 2010.

 

Product Documentation

BNA Corporate Tax Analyzer (v 2008.1) Installation Instructions (PDF)

 

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