I'm currently with BTC but it's subscription time and I'm thinking of switching. I do like BTC, the support is first class and friendly and the software is simple when working as it should. But I've had a lot of minor glitches and feel I end up speaking to support more often than I have with other software providers. Anyone able to compare the two?
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I'm surprised that
you've had "a lot of minor glitches". As thacca says we've had to use their very good support hardly at all. What were the problems you had?
Ive spoken to support twice
Ive spoken to BTC support twice in the last 12 months and both times the answer was available in their FAQs....I felt a bit guilty for not checking there first but they were very pleasant each time!
Cant comment on TaxCalc as Ive never used it.
Have you considered ftax.
Have you considered ftax?
Very reasonably priced and I really like it for Sa100, Sa800 and Ct.
Switched FROM taxcalc
I used to use Taxcalc and switched to BTC. I much prefer BTC and I've only had one tiny problem that, from memory, was actually me not having updated the software!! Oops.
Has to be TaxCalc for us..........
We’ve used TaxCalc for a number of years (I think 6 years) & having used a few others in the past before switching wouldn't use anything else now. We find their Support team are always very friendly, patient and helpful when on the rare occasion we have had to call. The software is updated quickly with tax changes and updates are issued swiftly on the odd occasion there is a ‘minor glitch’ – no software is perfect and we've found it's normally down to user error! I have not used BTC so am unable to offer a comparison, however I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend TaxCalc and suggest you download a trial from and see what you think. I'm pretty sure that they offer a no-obligation 28 day trial.
Specifics?
Now there's a toughy. I guess BTC just seems so much easier and quicker. There's no wading through pages, because it's Excel-based it looks clearer, you press a button to populate it from VT and to be honest that's pretty much your return done. You know what it's like so you know how simple it is. Taxcalc just isn't. Don't get me wrong, Taxcalc worked fine but for me it just wasn't as user-friendly. BTC had no learning curve. I guess try Taxcalc and see what you think...
all I will say
And this is having not used BTC so cannot comment but Flash - Ahhhh -(Sorry) makes a great case for BTC though, is that I personally prefer to re-key figures into the tax software.
I use VT and re-ky the relevant figures into taxcalc that affect tax or are required on the CT600 (turnover, profit, amortisation, add backs for entertaining etc and importantly CA additions) I use the "re-key" as a doubble check on my work as working alone we all do make mistakes sometimes.
To me the key is the CAs as date of addition is needed in the CA comp (especially now in the transition period) and I didn't think this happened in VT final accounts.
For the record, on average to do a CT600 in taxcalc takes me 5 mins (tops) evenwith checking and re-keying. - I do have a few more complicated ones with RnD, short life asset claims and messy close company CT600A loans but I don't mind if they take a bit longer!
Hope that helps
I may have a look at BTC as a few people on here other than he who saved every one of us do reccomend it.
Toodle Pip.
New Taxcalc release....
Have a look at my posting here.....https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/question/taxcalc-taxpmaccounts-production#comment-612551
@ Kevinread
How much are Taxcalc paying you? Sounds suspiciously like a marketing post to me..... VT / BTC never need that...
@Flash Gordon
Nothing at all...I'm just a loyal supporter :) I also use VT & will keep using it for some clients where there's no 'linkage' to VT bookkeeping or the client has more heavily formatted or management accounts.
BTC
Just changed from Taxcalc.
Wish I had been on BTC from the start (2011) would have made things so much easier.
Platform visually and for ease of use is great.Love the fact that I can produce tax returns as far back as 2009 even though I've only just bought a licence - try that on Taxcalc :o)
Linking individuals to organisations is great too.
PM solution is great - only just getting into it but it offers so much and will enable me to become far more productive and efficient