What do you look for in a technical tax book?

What do you look for in a technical tax book?

Didn't find your answer?

Ray Chidell, founder of technical tax book publisher Claritax Books, recently asked in the book discussion group what tax specialists are looking for from tax publishers

Chidell threw up many questions, including the long-debated issue, given the recent boom in the popularity of e-readers such as the Kindle, of electronic V paper. 

He also asked members' opinions on content, writing style, updates policy and pricing, as well as what makes you chose one tax publisher over another.

"AccountingWEB has kindly given me this opportunity to throw some issues out for debate and I hope that the many accountants who need to keep up to date with the ever-changing tax world will share their views about what does and does not work for them," he said.

If you want to get involved with the debate and give your views, you can do so on the book club discussion group.

However, an interesting question arising from the discussion is the area of hard books versus PDF or e-books.

Which do you think is more useful and reliable? Do you have a preference or, for example, find a copy of each to be beneficial? 

Replies (12)

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By User deleted
30th Apr 2013 12:16

Hard copy

I prefer a hard copy - somehow it feels easier to read and to find what I need. I've got a kindle but don't use it, just couldn't enjoy a book the same.

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By andy.partridge
30th Apr 2013 12:26

I agree with Flash

Not only do I have a preference, a pdf or e-reader puts me off. If I download a pdf I have to think if and where I am going to save it, should I print it (not likely), should I change the name for easier retrieval, what folder etc. A good old hard copy I can stick on the bookshelf, I can easily annotate it, fold down page corners, underline or highlight stuff. To my mind the brain doesn't work in the way that promoters of e-readers would hope it does. 

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RLI
By lionofludesch
30th Apr 2013 12:37

Totally agree

Books work better.

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By johngroganjga
30th Apr 2013 13:01

I tend to agree. But I see value in having both paper and E-versions.  Paper is left behind on the shelf when you leave the office so it is handy to have a back upon the laptop when you are out.  Also need E-version if you want I cut and paste extracts to send to clients etc.

But I would never use the E-version when sitting in the office with the paper version on the shelf behind me.   

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chips_at_mattersey
By Les Howard
30th Apr 2013 13:36

Books

I like hard copy books (old fashioned!).

The main question I ask, though, is the technical level of the book. I need quite technical material, with accurate legislation cross-referenced, etc. LexisNexis/Tolley and CCH do this. I deal with complicated VAT issues all day everyday, so it is essential to have this available. (I would consider having a tablet-version if available.)

There is also a mid-range level, such as FL-Memo; and then some entry level material. I have written for these from time to time. The wording is less technical, and fewer direct references to legislation.

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By DMGbus
30th Apr 2013 13:54

pdf = word search

The big plus of a .pdf format reference work is the ability to word search it - far superior to a written publication with an index.

Where a paper based publication has an advantage is bookmarking (as in post it note markers put on relevant pages) - I haven't yet learnt how to bookmark .pdf publications.

Online (hopefully regularly updated) works of reference have the edge over paper - I recall in years gone by the hassle of using loose leaf reference works like deVoil for VAT and finding updates hadn't been filed or were filed in the wrong place.

 

 

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By Archon
30th Apr 2013 14:20

Agree with DMGbus

Word for word.

 

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By david5541
30th Apr 2013 14:38

ACCESSIBLE AND LOTS OF TECH RULES-NOT insulting basic stuff .....

 

so often they are flogged as the best thing since sliced bread you buy them and then never use them-while others are great but become out of date.

 

I am trying to return one that I have not even opned or used and probably will never use.

titles like "capital allowances for small business" which sound appealling but are really basic stuff.

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By david5541
30th Apr 2013 14:40

FL-Memo; and then some entry level material. not worth it 

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By mydoghasfleas
30th Apr 2013 14:52

You'll get used to it

I felt I had to stick to paper with the back up from online.  So I found I was paying twice for a great deal.  That is fine if you can afford it and do not mind.  I realised that it was as much use as having two umbrellas in the rain. 

I finished up with the online Tolleys Library, which pretty much covers all I need.  It's expensive but with several users the cost is spread; you never have to hunt for the missing book because someone has not put it back; it has a moderate search engine; it is generally up to date.  So that's the upside.

The downside.  It's expensive; you often have to hunt for the book because there are so many; it has a moderate search engine that returns a max 250 results which do not sort well; it's generally but not definitely up to date.

The disadvantages of digital mentioned by some of the posts are reluctance to change.  You do not need to print it off to anotate, which you can then put on a "bookshelf directory".

I'm an old dog and doubt if there are any new tricks but I loved chasing a stick but now I chase a Frisbee.

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By merlyn
01st May 2013 07:33

Both

Where possible I go for both the electronic and hard copy.

As others have stated there is something nice about having a hard copy of a book, but the electronic version is easier to search, can be updated etc.

 

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By raychidell
01st May 2013 15:13

Thanks for the various contributions here

Thank you all for your comments on this aspect.

On the main article, I did raise broader questions than those above, with more focus on content.

@david5541 - I don't think you are referring to our books, but it is not quite clear. Therefore (just in case) I am giving a brief explanation of our own approach. Nearly all of our titles are highly technical and are aimed squarely at tax professionals. Our titles include in-depth coverage of capital allowances (our main CAs annual book and our A-Z of Plant & Machinery, between them with nearly 700 pages, all fully referenced to legislation and case law, as well as a technical volume on the newish fixtures rules). We do also publish, however, one thin volume on capital allowances for business proprietors, which we sell much more cheaply (£14.50, rather than a typical price of £68.50) and which we describe very clearly on our website as being (a) short, (b) aimed at a different audience and (c) far less technical in nature.

All of our authors are barristers, solicitors or other experienced tax specialists, writing (with that one exception) for fellow tax professionals. We have not had a single buyer coming back to us since we launched, complaining about the content. 

Ray

www.claritaxbooks.com

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