207
TAXATIONTECHNOLOGY SUPPLEMENT July 2008
8
26
module also assists with notional intra-group transfers.
The underlying individual group company computations
mputations
s
are updated automatically at the request of the user. The
The
group module’s deferred tax schedules summarise the
information contained in the underlying computations and
and
calculates the aggregate group tax position.
ion.
For data collection, a Taxpack (an Excel workbook) can be
produced from within the software. It contains the previous
s
period’s tax details for comparisons and once the current
nt
period’s details are completed (by clients, or other members
s
of staff) this can be imported back into the corporation tax
ax
working fi le, speeding up the whole computation process
rocess
and ensuring accuracy of data. Comprehensive accounts data
a
transfers from both Sage fi nal accounts packages provide
vide
another method of quick, secure data entry.
.
An automatic update function can be used to update the
RPI and interest rates tables and other changes released
eased
prior to the next main release.
On-screen help, guides, newsletters, training seminar
programmes and product review groups as well as tele-
le-
phone hotlines are also available.
.
Sage Corporation Tax (powered by Abacus) Lite module
is an entry level version of Sage Corporation Tax (powered
ered
by Abacus) Standard package. It is aimed at users with
th
limited corporation tax knowledge and those with large
volumes of small, simple returns. Users can generate form
rm
CT600, CT600 (Short), and supplementary forms CT600A,
0A,
C and J plus supporting computations for trading and invest-
-
ment companies. It allows quick and effi cient production
ion
of high quality output for those returns requiring very
very
little data input and minimal detail. This package also has
s
a comprehensive tracking and administration module and
le and
d
supports online fi ling and data transfers from both Sage
ge
fi nal accounts packages.
Contact
Sales team/customer services
ices
Address
Sage (UK) Limited, Building 3, Exchange Quay,
Salford Quays, Manchester, M5 3ED
Tel
0845 111 11 11
Internet
et
www.sage.co.uk/accountants
Cost
Sage Corporation Tax (powered by Abacus) from
£199 (including annual licence)
)
Rec spec
Windows 2000 or above; 1gb RAM; workstation
1gb/server 6gb hard disk space
e
Tax Computer Systems Ltd
td
Tax Computer Systems Ltd is an independent software
company which has been producing its very powerful and
ul and
comprehensive corporation tax software, Alphatax for 16
or 16
years. It is the only company in the UK which specialises in
corporation tax software, and many of its employees are
re
qualifi ed corporate tax professionals. The software is used
used
by 18 of the top 20 accountancy fi rms, and 70% of the top
op
50 fi rms, as well as by over 600 companies.
ies.
Alphatax is a fully comprehensive package specifi cally
fi cally
designed for corporation tax self assessment. Operating in
in
a Windows explorer tree environment makes the software
e
straightforward to use. It covers all aspects of a company’s
ny’s
s
corporation tax needs, coping with corporation tax back
to 1 April 1987, and dealing with practically every aspect
spect
t
of corporation tax that the user could want. It covers
compliance, planning and tax accounting, production of the
the
CT600 forms and backing schedules, and copes with trading,
g,
investment and property companies, as well as multi-trade
companies, investment companies with trades, and divi-
divi-
sions and foreign branches. It produces full capital gains tax
s tax
computations, including wasting assets and leaseholds. Data
collection is supported through an optional automated Tax
d Tax
x
Pack function. Full review functionality is provided including
ng
diagnostics, changed values tracking, full audit trail of all
updating actions and recording the source of all input data.
ta.
Management reports can be customised to the precise
se
requirements of clients so that risk factors, client service
exposures, and planning opportunities can be monitored.
red.
Group relief is catered for and the Group planning function
unction
allows fl exible management of a large corporate structure.
Signifi cant investment has been made to integrate the
he
Group functionality with the main product to ensure that
that
the performance matches that of the main product. In addi-
i-
tion, the package deals with tax accounting, and deferred
ed
tax in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard
19 and International Accounting Standard 12 disclosure
requirements. The tax and retail prices index tables from
m
Tax Computer Systems’ website can be downloaded. The
program links electronically to LexisNexis Tax Direct for
users who subscribe to that service, giving them instant
instant
access to legislation. Returns can be fi led by Internet.
.
Accounts integration is an add-on function that works
with any fi nancial system by mapping to any CSV fi le
V fi le
output.
Alphatax is available as a standard, full working package
with no client number restrictions, and users range from
in-house corporate departments to lawyers and to the
the
largest fi rm of accountants. Four main platforms are avail-
l-
able to corporates: Business Entry, Business Group, Business
ess
Advanced and Business Corporate. Each platform contains
ns
the core Alphatax product and Tax Accounting function, with
additional products added on to each platform suiting the
he
needs of the corporate.
e.
The Alphatax Managed Service is an Internet service
and can be run from any browser. It uses Oracle RDB
technology, and enables users to work off-site. Data can
be stored and accessed from a central repository over the
Internet or via a company Intranet by accredited users. In
s. In
addition to fi rewall protection, the system’s data encryption
on
assures users of complete operational security. Access for
individuals and departments to data fi les is controlled in
in
line with pre-agreed authorisation procedures and, similarly,
y,
access to computations is restricted to the specifi c engage-
ment terms and progress stage on a client-by-client basis
basis
and by accounting period.
d.
Alphatax Enterprise is a client server, the aim being to
unite all those involved in the process of corporation tax. All
ll
the information relating to all the companies in a corporate
ate
group or professional fi rm client portfolio is stored on a
central database, which is an industry standard relational
lational
database, Oracle or MS SQL. Different individuals can work
k
on fi les at various locations, although access can be strictly
controlled. Any changes made are automatically updated
ated
