Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the software on a network?

You can use the program on a network, but two users cannot work on the same file concurrently.

When I pre-order the software, the charge showed up on my card. Later I was charged agained. Wasn't my card charged when I first placed the pre-order?

According to rules and regulations set forth by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) we are unable to charge a customer's credit card for an e-commerce order until the order has shipped. So when you first place your pre-order, we will obtain an "authorization" from your bank or credit card company to confirm that the funds are available, just like any other order. Credit card authorizations are typically valid for 30 business days before it expires and drops off your account (almost like it never happened). We do not actually capture the payment until the pre-order has been released and the order has been shipped. So make sure those funds are available prior to the pre-order release date!

What is your privacy statement?

This privacy notice discloses the privacy practices for Visual Forms Inc. This privacy notice applies solely to information collected by our company.

Information Collection, Use, and Sharing

We are the sole owners of the information collected on this site. We only have access to/collect information that you voluntarily give us via email or other direct contact from you.

We will not sell or rent this information to anyone.

We will use your information to respond to you, regarding the reason you contacted us. We will not share your information with any third party outside of our organization, other than as necessary to fulfill your request, e.g. to ship an order.

Unless you ask us not to, we may contact you via email in the future to tell you about specials, new products or services, or changes to this privacy policy.

Your Access to and Control Over Information

You may opt out of any future contacts from us at any time. You can do the following at any time by contacting us via our email address or phone number:

• See what data we have about you, if any.

• Change/correct any data we have about you.

• Have us delete any data we have about you.

• Express any concern you have about our use of your data.

Security

We take precautions to protect your information. When you submit sensitive information your information is protected both online and offline.

Wherever we collect sensitive information (such as credit card data), that information is encrypted and transmitted to us in a secure way. You can verify this by looking for a lock icon in the address bar and looking for "https" at the beginning of the address of the Web page. While we use encryption to protect sensitive information transmitted online, we also protect your information offline. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, billing or customer service) are granted access to personally identifiable information. The computers/servers in which we store personally identifiable information are kept in a secure environment.

Why are my files not showing up when I go to import or open them?

Starting with Windows Vista, programs are not supposed to write any information to files within the Program Files folder. This practice was also discouraged in Windows 2000 and XP, but most user accounts on those systems had administrator privilege so the programs that did it still worked.

Windows Vista is designed so that user accounts do not need administrator privilege. This is safer because it limits the damage that can be caused by viruses and other forms of malware. Consequently, the data files should be moved to a new location.

How do I move my data?

Start the Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files\Maryland YYYY Property Tax or DC YYYY Property Tax. Move all of the files you find here EXCEPT THOSE LISTED BELOW to Documents\MDYYYY Personal Property or DCYYY Personal Property:

Do not move any applications: corporat.exe, individ.exe, extens.exe, update.exe

Do not move compiled HTML help files ending in .chm

Do not move files ending in .urs or .log

If you have a Windows Vista computer, navigate to C:\Users\your-username\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Maryland Property Tax or DC Property Tax. If this folder exists, move any files it contains to the Documents\MDYYYY Personal Property or DCYYYY Personal Property folder.

Start your PPT software. Go to "Preferences" then "Default Directories". Change the default location of your files to the Documents\MDYYYY Personal Property or DCYYYY Personal Property folder. Verify that the software can find your files.

Can I use my printer if it isn't an HP LaserJet or compatible?

In most cases, you can use any Windows-supported printer with a properly installed printer driver.   We tested the program successfully with bubble jets, ink jets, and laser printers from various manufacturers.

Is online help available?

The program offers a standard Windows online help system.  Online help contains specific instructions for completing Sections I, II, and III of the Maryland Corporate Personal Property Tax Return as well as important reminders from the State of Maryland.  Additionally, you can add your own notes to the help screens.

Use the Help menu to view help topics, display the help index, or search the help system for a particular topic.   You can also access context-sensitive help by pressing F1 in any field.  

How do I change the form letter or the billing letter?

We provided a standardized form letter with instructions regarding the proper mailing of the completed Form 1.  However, if you want to change the form letter or billing letter, go to the File menu and click Setup.  Choose the appropriate tab, modify the text, and then click on the Exit/Save tab.  The system saves your changes for use in subsequent preparations.

How do I use the calculator?

Click on the calculator button.  You can use your numeric keypad with Num Lock on or simply use your mouse.

Why do I sometimes see overlapping pages appear on the screen?

You are running out of memory.  Save your work immediately and exit the program.  Close any other running applications and restart the program.  If the problem continues, then restart Windows.

Why did nothing happen when I pressed the Cancel button during printing?

The Cancel button takes affect after the current page finishes printing.

Why doesn't the first page of Form 1 print correctly?

Form 1 contains notes in the margins that are rotated sideways.  The rotated text may not print correctly if:

• You do not have the correct printer driver for your printer
• Your printer driver is not configured properly
• Your printer driver is not the most current version

We addressed this problem by including a check box in the setup program to turn off the rotation of the notes.  When you check this box, the system prints the notes that appear on the left and right of page 1 vertically instead of rotated.  The form will still meet the criteria of the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

What is a printer driver?

Printer drivers allow Windows to support many different printers.  To do this efficiently, all Windows programs create generic print output.  Printer drivers then act as "interpretors;" they translate the generic output into specific information individual printers can understand.   Some printer drivers produce a translation very quickly; others are very slow.