Tax Planning With the Microcomputer.

Abstract This article focuses on tax planning with the microcomputer, a computer software. The software consists of a six part manual and software disk that includes 11 completed Lotus spreadsheets, 15 partially complete Lotus spreadsheets and a program that analyzes four investment alternatives. The instructor's manual contains solutions to the problems and the missing formulas for the partially complete spreadsheets. The purpose of the software package is to introduce tax students to the variety of uses of the microcomputer in tax computations, tax planning and tax reporting. The analysis component contains four Lotus spreadsheets designed to compute the tax liability for an individual, a corporation, a gift and an estate. This software has something for everyone. There are ready-to-use macro driven spreadsheet and partially complete spreadsheets. The workbook provides ample instruction and has a variety of problems. The instructor should complete the problems before assigning them to the students, especially if a newer version of Lotus is used, so that any errors or missing information can be pointed out. As the workbook is revised and the spreadsheets are improved, the computer-assisted instruction approach to the teaching of tax concepts will be enhanced.