TaxCalc 2001 by Which Ltd

Description

TaxCalc 2001 leads you through each section of the self-assessment form and points out any errors you have made… making it far preferable to hacking through the Inland Revenue's 29-page guide and getting yourself a well-filled pen. After all, “Self-assessment” time basically means that the Inland Revenue wants information… and lots of it. Which? Software claims TaxCalc will save “time, trouble and money”. The first two are unarguable. The opening screen lets you quickly create a new tax form, amend an existing one or go straight to Help. Once started, you'll find TaxCalc has broken the indigestible tax return into bite-size chunks–allowances, reliefs, Capital Gains Tax and so on. As you enter your data, the program is calculating your liability and whether you're in line for a refund.

TaxCalc does rely on you being organised and having your paperwork and figures to hand but that is pretty straightforward for PAYE taxpayers and those with more complex affairs are given a helping hand with checklists of the various forms, figures and documents. There are tips on working the whole thing out, a glossary to slice through jargon and simple-to-read help pages that should quickly unplug any mental blocks. Once completed, you can file your return online.

So it's simple to use but can it save you money? With advice on refunds it should stop you paying more tax. Almost as important, it's so quick and simple compared to the paper version that you're less likely to put off filling out the form and thus incurring a charge for late submission. —John Rennie

Platforms

Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me