BNA Estate & Gift Tax 706 Preparer Customer Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Latest Software Update
What is the latest version of BNA Estate & Gift Tax 706 Preparer?
Answer:
The most recent BNA Estate & Gift Tax 706 Preparer CD, version 2012.1, shipped on December 4, 2012.
The current service pack for BNA Estate & Gift Tax 706 Preparer is 2012.2.
Column “e” for the Line 7 Worksheet of Worksheet TG
How do I complete Column “e” for the Line 7 Worksheet of Worksheet TG?
Answer:
Adding Forms and Continuation Schedules
How do I add forms or schedules to a return?
Answer:
Select Add from the Forms menu. On the Return Editor dialog, click the form you want to add to the return, then click Add. To select several forms, press CTRL or SHIFT as you click each form.
How do I add an additional Form 706-CE (Certificate of Payment of Foreign Death Tax) or Form 712 (Statement of Life Insurance)?
Answer:
At the top of the Return pane, right-click the Tax Return icon, select Add, then select Form 706-CE or Form 712. The duplicate forms are added to the bottom of the Return pane.
The estate I'm working on has a lot of stocks and bonds. How do I add a continuation schedule?
Answer:
Continue entering rows of data on the original schedule. When all rows of the schedule have been filled, the program automatically creates a continuation schedule -- viewable at print time -- as you insert new rows. If you want all the rows of a schedule to print on a continuation schedule: Insert a new row at the top of the schedule with the description "See Continuation Schedule." Click Suppress Item Number. From the Edit menu, highlight the new grid row, then click Force Continuation.
How do I add a continuation schedule to a return?
Answer:
The program automatically adds continuation schedules to the return at print or preview time, based on what can fit on the IRS forms. There's nothing that you need to do.
Attachments
How do I add a note in the client file to display or print with the return?
Answer:
With the focus on the related schedule, select Attachments from the Forms menu, select Custom, then select Add. Type the attachment's title in the Enter New Title for Custom Attachment dialog then click OK . Then enter the note itself.
-or-
In the Return pane, right-click the page to which you want to attach the note. Select Add, then select Custom Attachment. Double-click the new item titled Custom Attachment. Type your note and, if desired, rename the attachment as described below.
How do I move an attachment so that it prints after a different page, form, or schedule?
Answer:
In the Return pane, click the attachment's title, then drag and drop onto another page.
How do I set up a "Sticky Note" in the program?
Answer:
- Right-click on the Form pane where you want to place your sticky note.
- From the shortcut menu, click New Comment Field. The cursor changes shape to cross-hairs.
- Click and hold down the left mouse button. Continue to hold down the mouse button while you drag the mouse diagonally down and to the right, until the yellow Comment Field is the size and shape you want. (Drag means to hold down the left mouse button while moving the mouse.)
- Release the mouse button. A Comment Field Text Editor dialog opens.
- Enter your text into the Comment Field Text Editor dialog.
- Click OK.
Note: The sticky note can be marked to print (or not print) by right-clicking the note and selecting (or deselecting) Print.
If you close the sticky note and need to edit its contents:
- Right-click the sticky note. Its color changes to that of a selected field.
- From the shortcut menu, click Edit. The Comment Field Text Editor dialog opens.
- Edit your text, then click OK
How do I change the title of an attachment displayed in the Return Pane?
Answer:
You can change an attachment's title as follows:
In the Return pane, click the attachment's title once to select it and then click again (do not double-click). The title is then highlighted and can be edited. To apply the changes, click outside the title.
-or-
In the Return pane, double-click the page (not the attachment) to which the attachment is related. Select Attachments from the Forms menu, select Custom, then select Open. The Custom Attachments dialog opens, listing all attachments related to the page. Click the title, then click Rename. On the Enter New Title for Custom Attachment dialog, type the new title for the attachment, then click OK.
Calculations
How do I dollar-round the values on the estate tax return?
Answer:
Select Round to Dollars from the Options menu to round the value of the open return.
Select Round to Dollars on the General tab of the Preferences dialog (accessed from the Options menu) to round future returns.
How do I recalculate the return?
Answer:
To update the diagnostic messages in the Messages pane, press F9 or click the "Recalc All" icon.
How do I get Schedule T, Part 4, line 15, to calculate?
Answer:
The program automatically subtracts the amount of each deduction from the value of the identified trade or business interest, yielding a net value for each interest. The program then adds the net values for all of the interests listed on the Qualified Family-Owned Business Interest Deduction Worksheet and carries this total to Schedule T, Part 4, line 15.
Note: To enter the business interests, you must manually add one or more QFOB Interest Deduction Worksheets to Schedule T, Page 2.
Data Entry and Editing
I have a lot of information to provide in the description fields of the schedules and it is hard making these long descriptions in the small data entry fields. Can I have more space to make my entries?
Answer:
Yes, you can in many places. When a data entry field has the Expand Entry button, you can click this button to open a dialog that provides additional space for long descriptions.
An asset was assigned to the wrong beneficiary. How do I correct this?
Answer:
Go to the Data Entry pane for the asset. Click the Expand Entry button next to the Asset value bequeathed to field. In the Asset Allocation dialog's “Allocate” column, de-select (un-check) the currently-selected (wrong) beneficiary; then, select (check) the correct beneficiary. From the drop-down list, select Distribute Total Evenly and click the Distribute button. Click Finish to close the Asset Allocation dialog. Press F9 to recalculate the return.
Why can’t I enter numbers in a field using the number keypad?
Answer:
Check to make sure that Num Lock is on.
I would like to cut and paste information from Schedule B to Schedule M. How can I do that?
Answer:
The BNA 706 Preparer has a means other than cutting and pasting to take information from an asset schedule to a deduction schedule (either Schedule M or O). You can use the Link Asset to Deduction feature for this purpose.
- In the Data Entry pane of the Asset whose description and net value you want posted to a deduction schedule, designate a unique Asset ID in the Asset ID (links asset to a deduction) field. This is a required entry for this procedure.
- Right-click the grid row in the Form pane, then select Link Asset to Deduction.
- Select M or O from the PickList, then click OK. On the deduction schedule, you'll find a new row containing the information for the asset.
How do I find the data entry field for a specific field on the Form pane?
Answer:
In the Return pane, double-click the icon for the form page, then click the particular field on the Form pane. The associated Data Entry pane will be displayed with the focus on the associated Data Entry field.
How do I clear both the Yes and No answers for a question?
Answer:
In the Data Entry pane, click the check box that contains the checkmark once. Note that the box is now gray. Press "Delete".
How do I show calculated fields in the Data Entry pane?
Answer:
To show (or hide) calculated fields in the Data Entry: Select Show Calculated from the Options menu or the Lock/Key icon on the toolbar, click the Show/Hide Calculated Fields button.
How do I override a calculated field?
Answer:
With the calculated fields showing in the Data Entry pane, click the calculated field you want to override. Double-click the Locked button to the right of the calculated field to unlock the field for editing. The button changes to the Unlocked button. Enter the new value into the field, then click the Apply Now button at the top of the Data Entry pane.
Caution! Do not click the Unlocked button unless you want to restore the calculated value.
How do I restore the calculated amount to a field I overwrote previously?
Answer:
With calculated fields showing in the Data Entry pane, click the calculated field in the Data Entry pane whose value you want to restore. Double-click the Unlocked button to the right of the calculated field to lock the field and restore the calculated value. Note that the button changes to its locked state.
I overwrote a calculated amount and now the number I entered isn't being used in that field anymore. What happened?
Answer:
The program restores the calculated amount to an overwritten field when you return to the field and double-click the Unlocked button. The button changes to its locked state and the calculated value is restored.
How do I enter assets on Schedule B?
Answer:
The program provides two methods: direct entry and calculated entry.
To use the direct entry method, leave the Security Type field blank or select None. Make entries in the Alternate valuation date, Alternate value, and Value at Date of Death fields. Also enter any other required data in the other fields provided. One field is provided for each of the schedule columns.
To use the calculated entry method:
- Select Stock, Bond, Dividend, or Interest in the Security Type field. The program automatically adds fields to the Data Entry pane that are appropriate to the selected security type.
- For all security types, fully describe the item in the Description and Alternate value row description fields, and enter the Alternate valuation date.
- Make entries in the fields described below.
- For Stocks, enter the CUSIP number, Unit value, Alternate Unit value, and Number of Units. (Value = Unit value x Number of Units.)
- For Dividends from the above stock, enter Unit value (dividends per share), Number of Units, and select Suppress item number. (Value = Unit value x Number of Units.)
- For Bonds, enter the CUSIP number, Unit value (percent of the Par (Face) Value, enter 95% as 95), Alternate Unit value (percent of Par (Face) Value), Number of Units, and Face amount of the bond. (Value = (Unit value divided by 100) x Number of Units x Face Amount of Bond.)
- For Interest from the above bond, enter interest amount in the Face amount of bond (or interest amount) field, and select Suppress item number.
The program will calculate the Alternate Value and Value at Death from these entries. After you select whether or not to use Alternate Valuation on Form 706, page 2, the program will present the items on Schedule B according to the examples in the IRS instructions, hiding the data not appropriate to the valuation method selected. As long as the Alternate Valuation question is unanswered or answered as Undecided, the program displays all entries on Schedule B.
How do I enter community property into a schedule?
Answer:
On the schedule row of a community property asset, enter the property at full value. Then select Treat as Community Property under the Classification: heading of the Data Entry pane.
If you designate an asset as community property and then link it to Schedule M or O, the program automatically posts 1/2 of the value of the asset to that schedule.
How do I make sure the program treats a schedule item as jointly owned property, or excludes a schedule item from the Probate Inventory Report?
Answer:
In the Form pane, click the schedule item. In the corresponding Data Entry pane, enter the property at full value, then select Treat as jointly owned property or Exclude from Probate Inventory Report, as applicable, under the Classification: heading of the Data Entry pane.
When I'm entering estate data into a return, I don't usually know whether the assets will be valued at the alternate valuation date or at the date of death. Can the program accommodate this?
Answer:
Yes. The program uses your entry ("Yes," "No," or "Undecided") on Form 706, Part 3, line 1 ("Do you elect alternate valuation?") to automatically determine which value to apply on the asset schedules of the return. As you construct the return, you can change the Alternate Valuation election as often as you like -- the program automatically updates the affected schedule entries to correspond with your selection.
How can I leave the "Alternate Valuation" question open?
Answer:
In the Data Entry pane for Form 706, Part 3, line 1, select Undecided.
How do I indicate that land reported on Schedule A should be included on Schedule M as a marital bequest or on Schedule O as a bequest to a charity? Conversely, how would I indicate that such property is not a marital or charitable bequest?
Answer:
To indicate that an asset should be listed on either Schedule M or Schedule O, use the Link Asset to Deduction command on the Grid Row menu (accessed from the Edit menu).
For the converse, the program assumes that the asset is not a marital or charitable bequest.
Can I specify which assets are bequested to a beneficiary on Form 706, page 2, Part 4, line 5?
Answer:
Yes. On the Data Entry pane for the beneficiary, specify a unique Reference Identifier in the last field. (The program uses this Reference Identifier to link a bequested asset to the beneficiary.) You can enter any combination of letters and numbers for this ID, as long as it is unique within the return. Then on the Data Entry pane of the bequested asset(s), enter this unique Reference ID.
I entered a date and would now like to delete that date. How can I do this?
Answer:
In the Date field of the Data Entry pane, click the date to highlight the day, month, or year, then press the Delete key.
Grids
How do I delete the horizontal grid lines showing on the schedules?
Answer:
1. Click Options on the toolbar.
2. Click Preferences. The Preferences dialog opens.
3. On the Grids tab, click to uncheck Show Horizontal Grid Lines.
I need to enter Uncollected Rent Due and Rent Accrued for a house entered on Schedule A. But I only want an item number for the house. How do I keep an item number from being displayed or printed on a schedule?
Answer:
In the Form pane, click the row whose item number you want to omit. In the Data Entry pane, select Suppress Item Number.
How do I change the order of items already entered on a schedule? For instance, I want to rearrange schedule items to match an appraisal report.
Answer:
With the focus on any row of the schedule involved, select Grid Rows from the Edit menu, then select Sort. On the Grid Rows Arranger dialog, select the row you want to move, then click Up or Down until the row is properly positioned. Click OK. When applicable, the program automatically renumbers the rows to reflect the new sort order.
Can the program print lines separating items on the schedule?
Answer:
Yes. Select Preferences from the Options menu. On the Grids tab of the Preferences dialog, select Show Horizontal Grid Lines. Click OK.
How do I enter a new row on a schedule?
Answer:
To add a new row, with the focus on any row of the schedule involved:
Select Grid Rows from the Edit menu, then select either Insert (to add a row before the row with the focus) or Append (to add a row after the last row on the schedule) or in the Data Entry pane, click the Next Data Entry pane button from the last row, or press tab from the last Data Entry field of the last row.
How do I delete several rows of a grid at once?
Answer:
The program will permit you to delete only one row at a time, but you can do this efficiently. Click the row in the Form pane and:
Select Grid Rows from the Edit menu, then select Delete or right-click then select Delete Row.
I have a large number of items on my schedule. How can I jump to an item in the middle of the schedule?
Answer:
Right-click one of the items on the schedule in the Form pane. Select Go to Row from the shortcut menu. A dialog opens that lists the items on the schedule. Highlight the item you want to move to. Click OK.
How do I add space between the rows of information on the grids?
Answer:
Click the grid in the row below where you want to insert the space. Right-click the row, then select Insert Row. Or, select Grid Rows on the Edit menu, then Insert. This should place a blank row between the two lines. Click the blank line, then select Suppress Item Number on the Data Entry pane.
I entered the asset data in the wrong place. Can the entry be moved?
Answer:
The program permits you to move one row of asset entry at a time. You may move information from any asset schedule to another. In the Form pane, click the row that you want to move, then: Select Grid Rows from the Edit menu, then select Move Asset.
-or-
Right-click the row, then select Move Asset.
How do I scroll through the grid? I don't know how to find an item on the schedule.
Answer:
One way is to click on an item in the grid in the Form pane, then click the Next Data Entry Pane button until you reach the item you want.
Another way is to use the Go to Selected Row dialog. This dialog lists all the rows on a grid, and shows the values in each column of the grid for all items, so it is easy to find the item you want.
Right-click on an item in the grid, then select Go To... on the shortcut menu.
Note: you can click and drag on the divider of a column heading in the dialog to expand the displayed values.
Marital & Charitable Calculations
How do I control which assets are available to fund interrelated marital or charitable bequests?
Answer:
On all asset schedules, check the Exclude from Residuary Fund checkbox for the asset to indicate that you wish to exclude this asset from the fund for interrelated calculation purposes.
Do not select the Exclude from Residuary Fund field if you either enter or link this asset to Schedule M, Schedule O, or Schedule R. The Interrelated Calculations Wizard will automatically exclude such assets from the fund.
You may also change the asset amount in the Fund Adjustment: area on the second panel of the Interrelated Marital/Charitable Deduction wizard (accessed from the Utilities menu).
I want to calculate a residuary charitable remainder annuity trust. How do I do that?
Answer:
1. On Schedule O in the Trust Calculation data section of the Data Entry pane, select Annuity Trust for the Fund Type. The program automatically adds fields to the Data Entry pane that are appropriate to the Fund Type.
2. Now select:
- Lead or Remainder: Remainder
- Residuary or Nonresiduary: Residuary
As you make these selections, the program issues messages to the Data Validation tab of the Messages pane to remind you of certain required entries.
Note that the program uses the Date of Death as the Month of Transfer and automatically chooses the "best" Section 7520 interest rate. You can override this default, if necessary.
3. Enter the payment frequency, payout percentage, whether payment is at the beginning or end of the period, etc. After entering the information, the program calculates a Deductible Percentage used in the Interrelated Calculations.
4. Select Interrelated Calculator... from the Utilities menu. From the wizard, choose Interrelated Charitable.
5. On the Interrelated Marital/Charitable Calculation wizard, enter any appropriate adjustments.
The program will determine the Deductible Percent of Fund and the Net Deductible Part of Fund (pre-Tax) amount on the Interrelated Charitable Calculation wizard using information from the Residuary Trust. The program carries the Charitable Deduction and Taxes calculated through the Interrelated Calculations wizard to the detail row for the Residuary Trust on Schedule O and to the lines 4a though 4c.
6. Preview the Interrelated Calculation reports to see the details behind the calculations.
How do I enter an interrelated calculation?
Answer:
Select Interrelated Calculator from the Utilities menu. Then, complete the entries in the Interrelated Marital/Charitable Deduction wizard, clicking the Next> button to continue.
When I select the interrelated marital or charitable calculation, the calculated deduction is 0.
Answer:
To generate an interrelated marital or charitable deduction, in addition to selecting one of these calculations, you must make an entry for Deductible Percent of Fund on the Deductible Percent of Fund panel of the Interrelated Marital/Charitable Deduction wizard (accessed from the Utilities menu).
Miscellaneous
How do I add and delete users (Network version)?
Answer:
1. On the Start menu/Programs/BNA Software program folder, click the BNA 706 Preparer Network License Administrator shortcut icon. The BNA Network License Administrator dialog appears.
2. To remove a workstation ID from the list of registered workstations, select it from the list then click Remove.
3. Click OK to close the utility.
To add a new user: Run the workstation setup at the new workstation.
Note: This operation can only be performed by the Network Administrator or someone who has access to the Network License Administrator shortcut icon. Make sure to place your program CD-ROM in a safe place in case you need to restore this icon to the desktop in the future.
What keyboard shortcuts does the BNA 706 Preparer offer?
Answer:
You can access any menu or command using the standard Windows shortcut (Alt+ underscored letter of the command or menu). The BNA 706 Preparer also provides several other keyboard shortcuts that allow you to bypass the menu system by pressing one or more keys to run program functions. In the program’s Help system, see topic "Using Shortcut Keys" for a complete list of the shortcut keys available to you.
How do I create a new return using a template?
Answer:
- Select Preferences from Options menu. On the General tab of the Preferences dialog, select Show Templates for New Returns, then click OK.
- Select New from the File menu. On the New 706 Return dialog, select From a Template, highlight a template from the list, then click OK.
- Note: To set a template as the default, select Set as Default for Future Returns on the New 706 Return dialog.
What is the Probate Inventory Report?
Answer:
The Probate Inventory Report lists assets included on the return for submission to the local probate court. Generally, all assets in the return are included on the report, except those that you specifically exclude using the Exclude from Probate Inventory Report field.
What are the different types of diagnostic messages in the Messages pane?
Answer:
Error Messages
Warning Messages
Incomplete Messages
Informational Messages
How do I access help for a specific field?
Answer:
In either the Form pane or the Data Entry pane, click the Data Entry field in question, then press F1.
-or-
Select Help on Spot from the Help menu. Then click the field in question.
-or-
On the toolbar, click the Help button. Then click the field in question.
How do I open the worksheet for Schedule T, Part 4, line 15?
Answer:
To add this attachment to the second page of Schedule T:
In the Return pane, double-click Schedule T, Page 2 and then right-click. Select Add, then select QFOB Interest Deduction Worksheet.
-or-
In the Return pane, double-click Schedule T, Page 2. From the Forms menu, select Attachments, select Predefined, then select Add. The “Qualified Family-Owned Business Interest Deduction Worksheet” will be added to the return.
Preparer Database
How do I set up a preparer profile for my practice?
Answer:
Select Preparer Database from the Options menu, then select Edit. On the Edit Preparer Information Database dialog, click New then enter the preparer's name and other related information. To set up additional preparers, repeat these steps.
If your practice has a network installation of the BNA 706 Preparer, all those using the program will share the preparer database and have access to the preparer profiles entered therein. When a profile is updated, everyone has immediate access to the updated profile.
What is the meaning of CAF Number, in the Occupation area of the Edit Preparer Information Database dialog?
Answer:
The CAF Number is the Centralized Authorization File Number kept on file by the Internal Revenue Service.
I use the BNA 709 Preparer and have several preparers already set up in a Preparer Database -- do I have to set up these preparers all over again for the BNA 706 Preparer?
Answer:
No! You can easily share the same Preparer Database.
1. On the Options menu, highlight Preparer Database, then select Path...
2. In the Open dialog, browse to where your BNA 709 Preparer's practitioners.inf file is stored, click on the file, then click Open.
How do I specify a preparer for a return?
Answer:
1. Select Preparer Database from the Options menu, then click Select.
2. On the Edit Preparer Information Database dialog, click the name of the preparer to be used on the return, then click OK.
The program will automatically use the preparer's information in the database when preparing Form 706.
Printing & Display
How do I keep unused forms and schedules from printing with the return?
Answer:
Even if there is no data entered, all forms and schedules listed in the Return pane will print when you print a return.
To make sure unwanted forms are not printed:
- Select Print from the File menu, select Forms, then select Selected.
- When the Select Forms to Print dialog is displayed, double-click each form you want to print.
- After selecting each form you want to print, click Print.
How do I print just one form?
Answer:
With the form or schedule to be printed open in the Form pane, select Print from the File menu, select Forms, then select Current Page.
How do I view the Interrelated Residue Charitable Proof report?
Answer:
Select Preview from the File menu, select Reports, then select Interrelated Calculation.
The printed form is missing words and lines.
Answer:
Your printer may have lost fonts from memory or may not have enough memory to print the forms. Try turning off the printer and turning it back on again before reprinting a page from the return.
The form looks fine on screen, but the form prints oddly.
Answer:
A printer font that the form needs may not be loaded. Call Technical Support at 1-800-424-2938 for assistance.
When "Show Calculated Fields" is on, I see the fields "Printed alternate valuation date", "Printed alternate value", and "Printed value at date of death" in the Data Entry panes for several schedules. What are these fields for?
Answer:
The program prints the values in the three "Printed..." fields on the schedule. The program uses your entry in Form 706, Part 3, line 1 ("Do you elect alternate valuation?") to determine whether a "printed" field is empty or filled with the value in the corresponding Data Entry field. That is, although there are values in both the "Alternate value" and "Value at date of death" fields for a given row, the program uses your entry (Yes, No, or Undecided) on line 1 to determine if the alternate value is printed (line 1 is Yes or Undecided) or not (line 1 is No).
How do I get zeros to display and print in a schedule's Value column?
Answer:
1. In the Form pane, click the field for which you want to show zeros.
2. Select Field Properties from the Edit menu, then select Show Zeros or right-click the field and select Show Zeros from the pop-up menu.
3. Repeat for each field that you want to show zeros.
What schedules are included in the Probate Inventory Report?
Answer:
The Probate Inventory Report lists the description and value at date of death of each asset included in the probate estate as entered for Schedules A, B, C, D, E, F, H, and I. These assets constitute the "Gross estate."
Items on Schedule G are automatically excluded from this report. However, if you want these items carried to the report, on the Options menu, select Preferences. On the Printing tab, select Include Schedule G Items on the Probate Report.
How do I print a Continuation Schedule without the form it continues?<
Answer:
You can print a Continuation Schedule by itself as follows:
- On the Options menu, select Preferences. On the Printing tab, select Display Page Selection Dialog when Printing Selected Forms. Click OK.
- From the File menu, select Print, select Forms, then select Selected. The Select Forms to Print dialog opens.
- Click the schedule whose continuation schedule you want to print, then click Print. The Print dialog opens.
- Make any changes needed in this dialog, then click OK. The Select Pages to Print dialog opens, with all pages preselected.
- Click the pages that you want to print (the item for the continuation schedule will include "Cont" in its label), then click OK.
I’m trying to describe the location of a real estate asset using the geographical coordinates but I don’t know how to enter the degree symbol (°).
Answer:
The degree symbol will print only if the degree symbol is one of the characters in the font you've selected for printing. Not every font includes the degree symbol in its character set.
To complicate matters, the key combination to create the degree symbol is not the same for all fonts. Many fonts use Alt+Num0176, but others use Alt+Num0186.
If you selected Arial or Times New Roman as the font for printing, press and hold down the Alt key while you enter 0176 on the numeric keypad to create the degree symbol. To determine which font you are using for printing, on the Options menu, click Preferences..., click the Fonts tab, then select Fonts Pane Fields from the Areas Applied list.
How do I prevent Form 712 from printing in the return I print for my client?
Answer:
You have complete control over the items that print in a return set.
From the Options menu, select Return Sets. In the Defined Return Sets: box, click Standard Client. Scroll through the Include Forms and Schedules: box, click the check box for Form 712 to clear it, then click OK.
I can’t seem to preview the last item on a continuation schedule, although the item’s valuation is included in the totals.
Answer:
Sometimes an item on a form cannot be previewed properly at a particular zoom setting on a particular monitor because of the monitor’s resolution, video driver, etc. Changing to a different zoom setting usually allows you to see the missing item. Even if you can’t see the item in the preview window, the item will be included in the printed return.
There is something odd about the appearance of the IRS form on-screen. I see a “copyright” symbol (©) displayed on Form 706, Part 1, line 8, rather than the solid arrow found on the actual form. Also, the boxes “holding” the X’s were missing. I see this both on the Form pane and in print preview.
Answer:
The BNA 706 Preparer program may be missing a font. Re-install the BNA 706 Preparer program and see if this fixes the problem for you.
If this does not work:
1. On the Windows Start menu, click Settings, then click Control Panel.
2. In the Control panel, double-click Fonts.
3. Scroll down to Super Symbols, click the item, then, from the File menu, click Delete.
4. From the File menu, select Install New Font. The font is stored in the Resources/Fonts folder of the BNA 706 Preparer program CD-ROM.
How do I get rid of a zero that’s displaying in an amount field?
Answer:
In the Form pane, click the field for which you want to remove the zero, then:
From the Edit menu, select Field Properties, then select Show Zeros.
-or-
From the shortcut menu, right-click on the field and select Show Zeros. Repeat for each field in which you do not want to show zeros.
Program Window
How do I get to the next page of a form or schedule?
Answer:
In the Return pane, double-click the item for the page that you want to view. On the toolbar, click the Next Page button or from the Forms menu, click Next Page.
How do I change the size of the Form pane or Data Entry pane?
Answer:
Use the mouse to hover the pointer over the border of the particular window pane until it changes to a split indicator or double-arrow pointer. Then, click on the border and drag to resize the window.
How do I hide the Messages pane or Return Pane window panes?
Answer:
Select Messages pane or Return pane from the View menu to toggle between show and hide.
State Taxes
How do I select a state to calculate estate taxes?
Answer:
Go to Form 706, Page 1. On the Form pane, click line 3a in Part 1. In the Data Entry pane's "State" field, select a state from the list.
How do I adjust the state death tax calculated amount?
Answer:
Select State Death Tax Calculator from the Utilities menu. After verifying the state name in the upper left field, enter adjustments into the appropriate field (Adjustment for State Taxable Estate, Adjustment to State Death Tax, or State GST Tax). You can override the calculated state tax and enter the value manually. It will be used in the Interrelated Calculations.
I want to prepare a tax return for New York. How can I do that?
Answer:
Although the program calculates the tax for all 50 states in order to perform the interrelated calculations for marital and charitable deductions, it does not currently print state estate tax returns. (The state tax returns may be added to the program in the future.)
Updates
How do I update the program with new monthly Section 7520 rate changes?
Answer:
If you are connected to the Internet, select Tax Rates from the Options menu. On the Tax Rates dialog, click Auto Update. Click OK. Otherwise, select Tax Rates from the Options menu. On the Tax Rates dialog, with 7520 highlighted, click Add. On the 7520 Rate dialog, select a new month, enter the new rate in the "Value" field, then click OK. For a list of the most recent Section 7520 Tax Rates, please also see the BNA 706 Preparer Updates Section.
I recently received my newly ordered program and discovered there is a new release of the program pending. Do I have to pay for the program update?
Answer:
No. Program updates are distributed through the program's web update feature (click “Check for Update” on the Help menu) or by our mailing a CD to the shipping address on your account. Either way, there is no additional charge for program updates distributed during your license term.
How do I know when a new release or program patch is available?
Answer:
If you have access to the Internet, use either of the following procedures:
From the Help menu, click Check for Update. The program will tell you if a new maintenance release of the program is available on the BNA Software Updates Web site. If a release is available, the program offers you an opportunity to connect to the site where you can download the release. You can have the program check for updates automatically, as often as you want. On the Preferences dialog (accessed from the Options menu), click the Updates tab then make your selections. Click OK when finished.
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Check for 706 Preparer updates by accessing our Web site – www.bnasoftware.com. At the top of the page, click “Customer Support” (the “Product Support” page opens). From the “Select one…” dropdown list, select “BNA Estate & Gift Tax 706 Preparer” and click the “SUBMIT” button. Under the “Product Support” heading (right-hand side of the page), cursor down to the “Software Updates” heading and click the “LEARN MORE” button. On the Window’s left side, click the appropriate update to display a description of the update you selected, along with detailed instructions for installing the update. If, after reading the instructions, you decide to install the update, click the corresponding (highlighted) file to apply the update to your 706 Preparer program.
Alternatively, call the BNA Software toll-free technical support phone line at 1-800-424-2938 and ask a technician if any program updates are available.
Can the program check automatically for updates on the Web?
Answer:
Yes it can.
1. On the Options menu, select Preferences.
2. On the Preferences dialog, click the Updates tab.
Select the desired frequency option, then click OK.
