Quicken vs Quickbooks

[monner]

Back quit a few versions ago I generated my own forms by changing the tax code file in Quicken. All this did was provide me with an income & expense form with the right line numbers for the NISA form. I still had to copy the info over to the form. I see that the TAX.SCD file has the T2042 form listed. YOu may be able to modify this and get a NISA format. use NOTEPAD! I am not sure that this is what you wanted though! If you wanted a direct link to a tax program that uses a NISA form then I am not sure what to do!

[lorrene]

Do I understand this correctly, then, that if I insert a new section in the TAX.SCD file using Notepad, I can build that form myself by identifying the lines? Can I assign categories to those new lines? That would be exactly what I'm looking for. I don't have a NISA account for our farm; this is for a student I taught Quicken to recently at a night class. I understand that Settler has an automatic link to a NISA form. But if this will work, it will be great. Please clarify if I've got the steps right. Thanks Lorrene

[saundrsn]

Just a quick note Brian in defense of accountants. There are several reasons why an accountant may recommend software that his office uses. The major one being support for their client. To me one of the major reasons for choosing a specific software is the support you have for it. If you have someone to call when you need help you will likely reduce your stress level considerably.

[settler]

You are correct, Settler does have the NISA lines built right into its program, updating the NISA report as each entry is made. What you may not know is that Settler now offers a new program, Settler Farm Office Accounting, with that capability for only $49 + tax. (Released Feb/2000 - based on Settler WINLITE/WINGOLD) Accordingly, one has to question one's time in moving all of this 'quick stuff' through Notepad etc. to get a NISA form, when this available for only $49! You can download a FREE demo at settler.com or call 1-800-667-7893 or e-mail sales@settler.com for more info. Sincerely, Rob Schmeichel Settler

[settler]

The issues regarding support are interesting ones. Support for programs used on farms should be: - Ag-specific - producers need ag help, not generic business advice from someone who doesn't understand farming/ranching - Always Accessible - toll-free or e-mail, regardless of who or where your accountant is - Reliable - calls must be returned - Practical - deal with the actual numbers and situation - Comprehensive - include software, system, accounting, business application integrated support For these reasons, and many others, Settler has become the leader in the Canadian farm software industry, because we deliver on all of the above. We are the primary support source of our clients. The accountant's role should not be primarily supporting the software use of the client - but adding value through their professional services. Settler looks after the support aspect. Beginning May 1, Settler will offer full week toll-free support access to Settler users. 'Quick and simple' programs were not designed for agriculture, and accordingly most 'quick and simple' support services are not geared to farming/ranching! Sincerely, Rob Schmeichel Settler 1-800-667-7893 sales@settler.com

[monner]

Sorry it took so long to get back to you! I don't know how many sections you can add. what I did was to change one of the existing sections to fit the NISA form. You do this once and assign your catagories to those accounts from within quicken and you can print the report in that format whenever you want. I have not tried it lately so I do not know if it will still work but give it a try! In the 98 version I have it looks like it will work. Copy your TAX.scd file as TAX.bak before trying it so that you can put it back if it does not work or something happens!!!!!????? Some day when Intuit adopts the neat features of Settler or Settler adopts the neat features of Intuit we will not have to go through this sort of thing to get what we want the way we want it to work! Don't count on this happening too soon though! Some day

[monner]

Changing the TAX.SCD file will also probably make it so that Quicken will not work properly with the Quicktax program. If you don't use Quicktax or enter into Quicktax manually then no problem! But... Just a warning!