MyTAX Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our Q&A page for MyTAX, our spreadsheet calculator for preparing Canadian personal income tax returns.

Q1. Can spreadsheet programs other than Excel run MyTAX?
Q2. Do I need a password to run MyTAX?
Q3. Why are many of the spreadsheet cells locked with a password?
Q4. What if I need to enter data into a locked field, such as Line 208?
Q5. How do I get to the additional Schedule spreadsheets that are not visible in the row of tabs?
Q6. Can I still use MyTAX if the form I need is not included in MyTAX?
Q7. Can I enter data in any order to MyTAX?
Q8. When I try to print a spreadsheet, sometimes the page break occurs in the wrong place.  How do I fix that?
Q9. Does MyTAX allow electronic filing over the Internet?
 

Q1. Can spreadsheet programs other than Excel run MyTAX?
A1. You can load and run MyTAX with Open Office, even though MyTAX is developed and optimized using Excel.

Q2. Do I need a password to run MyTAX?
A2. No password is needed to run MyTAX.  It's internal contents are password protected.  You are only allowed to enter data in the white fields, ALL of which are not locked.  As soon as you have downloaded MyTAX and loaded it into Excel, it is fully functional and you can start using it.  If you try to enter data into a locked cell, the spreadsheet program may pop up a warning box saying that you need a password etc.  However, in this case it just means you can't enter data directly into that cell.  See Q3 below for more about this.

Q3. Why are many of the spreadsheet cells locked with a password?
A3.  Many cells in the spreadsheet contain a formula to calculate a result using values entered elsewhere and using rules according to Canada Revenue Agency instructions, such as "If negative, enter 0".  Many of the cells get their data from somewhere else in the workbook.  These types of cells are locked to prevent users from accidentally overwriting the contents of these cells. and the integrity of the calculations/workbook would be lost.  Other cells contain the text that represents the form.  These are locked also, or the text of the form could be accidentally erased.  Also, the locked spreadsheet helps to protect our intellectual property.

Q4. What if I need to enter data into a locked field, such as Line 208?
A4. The field at Line 208 is a common occurrence of this.  It is a yellow coloured field which means it is getting its data from somewhere else.  In this case, Line 208 gets its data from Schedule 7.  Schedule 7 is implemented as one spreadsheet in the workbook.  So you need to go to that spreadsheet.  Q5 below describes how to do that.

Q5. How do I get to the additional Schedule spreadsheets that are not visible in the row of tabs?
A5. The easiest way is from the GOTO sheet. Click on the name of the spreadsheet in the list in the GOTO sheet. Each spreadsheet name is hyperlinked to the spreadsheet. An alternate method is to scroll the row of spreadsheet tabs left or right to get to the one you want in view. Lets say you want to go to Schedule 7.  In Excel the tabs for the other spreadsheets/schedules are along the bottom of the screen .  The tab bar scroll buttons are at the bottom left of your screen.  Once the tab for schedule 7 is scrolled into view, then you can click it.  Once there, in schedule 7, you can enter in your RRSP data in the appropriate white/clear cells..

Q6. Can I still use MyTAX if the form I need is not included in MyTAX?
A6. Yes you can!  We have designed MyTAX to easily accommodate this situation.  MyTAX includes the electronic versions of a subset of the standard set of forms by Canada Revenue Agency.  Just as in the totally manual preparation case where an additional form is needed, you need to get/make a copy of that paper form and fill it out manually.  Then you can enter the bottom line data from that form into the appropriate line in MyTAX which will crunch the numbers from there.  Our home page has a link to Canada Revenue Agency's site where you can download the forms you are missing and save them to your computer and/or print them out on your local printer.

Q7. Can I enter data in any order to MyTAX?
A7. Yes you can!  However, we recommend that you start at the T4 data entry spreadsheet and enter the data from your T4 forms there.  From there we recommend that you go back to the T1 General spreadsheet and enter data as you go down the lines.  Where needed you can jump to the appropriate schedule, by clicking on its tab, and enter the data and then go back to the main spreadsheet, by clicking its tab.  If you need help on how to do that, please see A5 above.

Q8. When I try to print a spreadsheet, sometimes a page break occurs in the wrong place.  How do I fix that?
A8. Each MyTAX spreadsheet comes with the print area predefined for a typical inkjet or laser printer.  The "Margins"option in the Page Layout tab of Excel or the "Sheet" tab of the Format Page of OpenOffice will allow you to scale the sheet to print properly. When you go back to print it again, MyTAX will remember the settings for that sheet, if you save the MyTAX workbook.

Q9. Does MyTAX allow electronic filing over the Internet?
A9. No. We realize that NETFILE is a desireable feature for many users. The technical effort required for a software developer to implement NETFILE is huge!  For now, our users must file by printing and mailing their completed paper forms to CRA. 

Thank you for visiting our questions and answers page.  Feel free to email us at support@peeltech.ca

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