[net.micro.apple] tax preparation packages

9212mhm (02/17/83)

I am looking for comments anyone has on various tax preparation packages
for the Apple.  I have an Apple //e with an 80 column screen and am about
to buy a printer (probably Epson MX80 or Okidata Microline 82).  I know of
the existence of the following packages.  Any comments? Advise?

	Tax Preparer 		Howardsoftft		$150
		the oldest one I know of, looks OK to me so far

	Tax Break		Proforma Sortware	$130
		formerly put out by Datamost under the name "Tax Beater"
		Ads seem a bit full of hype to me, but may be good

	Tax Templates		Omega Microware		$90
		Visicalc templates for tax preparation
		Omega is the company that puts out Locksmith
			(no flames from software authors, please)

	Tax Advantage		Continental Software	$60
		Continental puts out The Home Accountant, from what
			I hear the best inexpensive home accounting system
		Price seems pretty low, though, and they say they handle
			"most common tax forms."  I'm not going to do
			anything weirder than income average and also
			declare my wife a self employed professional
			(musician), but am a bit concerned about
			it handling only the *very* common forms.

Any comments would be appreciated.  I would like to get *something* within
a week or so, or can the idea and do it by hand (then why did I just buy
that machine???).
				Thanks,
				Mark H. Mortensen
				Bell Labs, Holmdel, NJ
				houxb!9212mhm