ETax

What works

Etax2009 version of July 13, 2009.

1. Installation started by:

$ msiexec /i  etax2009_1,msi

2. Reading of taxpayer's 2008 .TAX file for data unlikely to change (rollover).

3. Entry of income and CGT data, writing of .TAX file and calculation of tax.

4. Print out of tax return for records or paper lodgement with ATO.

5. Reading of .TAX file by etax2009 running under MS Windows XP for prefilling, registration or Internet lodgement.

6. Reading of .TAX file partially prepared and written using XP by etax2009 running under Wine.

7. Check for etax2009 updates and error messages.

What does not

1. Companion help program.

2.  Secure communications with ATO (prefilling, registration and lodgement).

What was not tested

My tax affairs are simple so most of etax2009 was not tested.

Additional Comments

1. I installed msxml4.dll and msxml4r.dll using winetricks for etax2008 and they are still necessary.

2. Etax2006 and etax2007 worked better.

In order to do any testing on this program, a "TFN" or Tax File Number is required. "123456782" passes validation, and can be used to test operation of the software.

Use the latest Wine:

Make sure you are running the latest version of Wine (currently 1.1.26). You can check your version with the command:

wine --version

If you do not have the latest version, follow the instructions at Wine Binary Downloads

Use winetricks:

You need msxml via winetricks. Run this command:

wget http://kegel.com/wine/winetricks && sh winetricks msxml4

Installing ETax:

Once you have the etax install file, run it with Wine:

$ msiexec /i  etax2009_1.msi

At present, securely verifying your identity and lodgement does not work. These steps must be carried out on a windows machine.