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Important Information about Ordering...

The following information applies to 2008 Editions of Tax Preparer (for preparing and filing returns in 2008 for tax year 2007 returns). For information on 2007 Editions (for extension returns and amended returns for tax year 2006), click here instead.

Delivery Schedule. Products for prior filing seasons, including the 2008 filing season that ended April 15, 2008, are normally shipped within one business day of the day the order is received. All products are combined into one shipment whenever possible.

On-screen documents. Manuals and IRS documents are supplied in PDF format for easy on-screen viewing and printing. (See the Order Form for list of on-screen documents included in each product.) To view these documents you must use Adobe Acrobat Reader, available free on the Internet and included on HowardSoft CD-ROMs. All HowardSoft manuals take full advantage of two important Adobe Acrobat capabilities:

  • Bookmarks. The Bookmark tab (F5 key on early versions of Adobe Reader) gives you a clickable Table of Contents in the left pane of a split screen.
  • Search. The ctrl-F key gives you the ability to search and find any word or phrase like an index.

Graphic printing. Graphic printing of all supported forms is included in all Standard Level and Premium Level updates. Graphic printing requires only a Windows-compatible printer capable of printing a 7.5 by 10-inch image on an 8.5 by 11-inch page. (An option for laser printing is included for those who have an HP-emulating laser printer and a compatible tax font.) Note that the Standard Level supports the traditional set of forms that HowardSoft has included for years, but the Premium Level contains twice as many forms. See the separate Comparison Chart for details.

Professional e-file. Professional e-file is included with all Standard Level and Premium Level CD-ROMs. It provides you with the capability to transmit most returns prepared by Tax Preparer for a nominal per return transmission fee, and e-file specials are available to reduce or eliminate that fee. However, to use professional e-file you must:

  • Meet hardware requirements. You must have Internet access and a hard disk with at least 75 MB of free space. We also recommend at least 64MB of free computer memory (32MB min.).
  • Get an EFIN from the IRS. That’s the IRS Electronic Filing Identification Number. If you already have one, you’re already set; you don’t need to get a new one each year. Otherwise you must file IRS Form 8633 to apply for the number. Click here to download IRS Form 8633 (in PDF fill-in format, for easy on-screen viewing, fill-in by computer, and printing to paper).
  • Register your transmission software. The software is already included on your CD-ROM, but you must register with us to activate it. Click here for more information on registration and available options.

Also see our Comparison Chart for more detail on the differences among the three levels of software we offer.