Using Software Outside USA

Using the Software Outside the USA

The only requirements are that you speak, read, and write English and have an English compatible version of Microsoft Excel. This is because our programmer and support people only speak English. We need to be able to communicate with you so we can help you. We are educated in real estate investment, accounting, general business, algebra, calculus, graphic design, technical writing, and programming; but we only speak English. Your version of Microsoft Excel must be English compatible so that it can run RealBenefits Software.

Canadian investors have told us the software suite (all software) works well in Canada. They also told us their Canadian Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) reviewed the software suite and approved. It should be noted that in RealBenefits Software, interest is compounded monthly, as is the standard practice in USA banking. In Canada, compounding interest twice a year is the standard practice. This means that RealBenefits Software can be used by Canadian investors (borrowers) with the understanding that their actual $ interest paid on loan will be slightly less than indicated by the software. This is not a problem for Canadian investors (borrowers). However, it does mean that Canadian lenders (banks or private lenders) should NOT use RealBenefits Software.

We also have investor users in Hong Kong and elsewhere in the world where English and dollars are used.

RealBenefits Software works in Australia too, but we recommend PropX Real Estate Investment Software for use in Australia because it was made in AU specifically for AU real estate and tax laws.

The Amortization, APOD, Appreciation, and SCF software (workbooks) work well in any English speaking country that uses dollars (USA dollars, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, any kind of dollars). You can use these software products the same way in any English speaking country that uses dollars. You can also use it in any English speaking country that does not use dollars, if you are willing to pretend the dollars signs in the printouts are really pound signs, or yen symbols, or whatever you want them to be. Follow the instructions in the software and it will work for you. Consult your certified accountant (we also tell USA customers to consult their certified accountant).

The best way to consult your accountant is to print the presentations and bring them to the accountant. If you do not own the software yet and are unsure, then print the Demo and the Form sheet and bring them to your accountant. Tell your accountant that the grey cells and dropdown boxes on the Form sheet are the data inputs, and all else is output. This way your accountant can review the software's presentations before you buy software. More importantly, your accountant can review the Form sheet's grey (input) cells and dropdown boxes and see how adaptable the software is. Most likely your accountant will say the software is good for use in your country by changing a few grey cells or dropdown boxes default values (specifically tax and depreciation related grey cells and dropdown boxes). The specific grey cells and dropdown boxes in question are listed below in detail.

To use the Benefits Software (Benefits workbook) outside the USA, you must make the following adjustments in your use of it.

As always, the Form sheet is the data input sheet. You enter your input data in the grey cells on the Form sheet (data input sheet). This applies to all users anywhere in the world.

To use the Benefits software (Benefits workbook) outside the USA, you have two choices:

1) This 1st choice is the easiest for you. Simply make a Benefits workbook investment analysis that does not include tax matters. This type of investment analysis is international because it can be generically used anywhere in the world. Simply ignore the tax related data inputs on the Form sheet. Leave them at their defaults. Don't worry about them and don't waste your time with them. On the Form sheet: ignore line items 1, 2, 2.5, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 27, and 28. Also ignore all instructions in the software that pertain to tax matters. When you print a presentation, you can print and use all sheets except the "Total Benefits", "Loan Points", and "Depreciation" sheets. These are the only sheets that pertain to tax matters. You can use all other sheets, including the "Total Benefits W-O-T-B" sheet. Bring your printed presentations to your certified accountant for review.

2) This 2nd choice may be more accurate, but is more difficult. You can use all sheets in the Benefits workbook, if you consult your accountant about what to enter for the tax related data inputs on the Form sheet. The defaults are for the USA, but can be changed to whatever you want (whatever your accountant tells you). The tax related data inputs on the Form sheet are line items 1, 2, 2.5, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 27, and 28. You must enter whatever is appropriate for these tax matters in your country. The Benefits workbook's grey cells defaults for the line items mentioned above are for the USA. The notes and help files about tax matters are also for the USA. Therefore, you must ignore the help files in the software that talk about tax matters or the line items mentioned above. Simply do as your local accountant recommends to you. By changing the values in the line items above to be correct for your country, you can have a correct analysis that includes tax implications. Consult your accountant.

Note: If in doubt, use choice number 1. Choice number 2 should only be used when you closely consult with your accountant. If you do choice 2, you need to bring your printed presentations to your accountant for review (you should do that anyway).