Research and Writing
CCH Introduction to Tax Research Network™
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Table of Contents Page 1
Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................ 1 Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 2 Logging in to CCH Tax Research NetWork ..................................................................... 3 Navigation Tools .............................................................................................................. 4
Expanded Explanation of Navigation Tools ............................................................... 5 My CCH - Tab Customization .......................................................................................... 8
Favorite Research Publications ................................................................................ 9 Research Tools ....................................................................................................... 10 Tax Tracker News ................................................................................................... 11
Organization of Libraries ............................................................................................... 14 Beginning Your Research .............................................................................................. 15
Keyword Searching in CCH .................................................................................... 17 Find by Citation ....................................................................................................... 19 Browsing ................................................................................................................. 20 Topical Indexes ....................................................................................................... 22 Topic Navigator ....................................................................................................... 24
Interactive Research Aids .............................................................................................. 26 Interactive Charts .................................................................................................... 26
Log Out ......................................................................................................................... 30 Appendix A – Best Practices ......................................................................................... 31 Appendix B – CCH@Hand ............................................................................................ 32 Appendix C – ProSystem fx .......................................................................................... 33 Appendix D – Support Page .......................................................................................... 36
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Objectives Page 2
Objectives This course provides an introduction to Tax Research NetWork. After completion of this course you will know how to: • Log In to CCH Tax Research NetWork
• Customize My CCH tab and create Daily Tax Trackers
• Select publications and execute a keyword search
• Find a document by its citation
• Browse when you know the general topic or code section
• Use the Topical Index
• Use of Interactive Research Aids
• Link to Tax Research NetWork from ProSystem fx
• Find Training and Support
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Logging in to CCH Tax Research NetWork Page 3
Logging in to CCH Tax Research NetWork To log in to CCH Tax Research NetWork from your Web browser:
1. Point your Web browser to http://tax.cchgroup.com/network . 2. In the Login box, type your User ID and password. 3. Click Enter.
Best Practice: Use CCH@Hand icons and the CCH@Hand Browser toolbar to log in automatically without having to enter your User ID or password. To download and install CCH@Hand, go to: http://athand.cch.com
Best Practice: Sharing research IDs is not recommended because only one person can be logged in on a single ID at a time, with last login having control. In addition, all search preferences are ID specific. Contact your CCH Sales Representative
regarding additional IDs.
Best Practice: Sign up for the CCH@Hand web training to learn how you can take advantage of the powerful research tools available within CCH@Hand.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Navigation Tools Page 4
Navigation Tools
Navigation Bar
Best Practice: Use Clear Selections at any point during your research session to reset the system and return to the main menu of the tab you’re working on. This allows you to start over with one click from anywhere at anytime.
Shortcut to Understanding the Navigation Bar
The CCH Navigation Bar is designed to help you navigate the CCH Tax Research NetWork™ in order to find answers quickly and efficiently.
Basic Navigation Record Keeping Search Functions
Support Functions
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Navigation Tools Page 5
Expanded Explanation of Navigation Tools
Command Description
The Add to Favorite Search command, found at the top of any list of documents retrieved by search, is used to add the search expression with its target to the Favorite Searches List. It can then be rerun in future research sessions.
The Research Folder command is found at the top of any list of documents. It is used to add user-selected documents in the displayed list to a Research Folder. Those “kept” documents can then be printed later and retained indefinitely for future review.
This plain CCH icon is found to the left of all publication, and on the right of all blue bars that organize publications by groups on any Tab. Click to add either a publication or a group of publications to the list of frequently accessed publications of a user on the My CCH tab.
Click this blue CCH icon to remove a publication or a group of publications from the list of frequently accessed publications on the My CCH Tab. It appears to the left of any publication and on the right of any blue bar of a group of publications added to that list.
CCH Link Express icons appear at the tops of Tabs and in the blue bars on Tabs if this function has been turned on by the user at the Set Display Options tab under Preferences. Click on this icon to create a URL that links directly to either a Tab or a Tab blue bar.
The Check Citator button displays a template on which a known case number, the case name, or the ruling number can be entered. The Citator listing of that known document is then retrieved. The Citator listing reviews the history and the authority of a case or ruling.
Clicking on the Clear Search Terms icon, found immediately to the left of the Search Expression Box, erases all user-typed terms in the Search Expression Box.
Click on the Clear Selections button to return to a “clean” Tabs Window— that is, to a Tabs Window containing no selections. Furthermore, clicking on this button will restore the default settings (those found under Preferences) to the Search Tools Template.
The Document List-Next command is found at the top of any document When it is lit (active), click to move from the displayed document to the one that follows it on the current list of documents.
The Document List-Previous command is found at the top of any document. When it is lit (active), click to move from the displayed document to the one that precedes it on the current list of documents.
The Export to File command is found at the top of any list. It is used to save user-selected documents on a list as a Rich Text Format (.RTF) file in a word processor. The selected documents can be saved either in full-text mode or by their titles only or by their titles with their URLs.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Navigation Tools Page 6
Command Description
The Favorite Searches command, found on the My CCH Tab and on the Search Tools Template, is used to view (and, subsequently, either to resubmit or to delete) search expressions (and their targets) previously saved by the user.
The Find by Citation button displays a template on which the cite of the desired document can be entered and the text of the desired document retrieved.
Clicking on the 1st Term command that appears at the top of a document retrieved by SEARCH displays the first section of text that contains a highlighted keyword from the search expression.
The Help button provides contextually dependent aid anywhere it is clicked in the CCH Internet Tax Research NetWork.
Click on the Research Folder button to access a folder, a user-created list of research-relevant documents, from any of the user-created research folders. (A research folder, typically, is created to contain documents that are relevant to a particular research project.)
The Research Folder-Add command is found at the top of any document. It is used to add the currently displayed document to a Research Folder. The documents within the Research Folders can then be printed later and retained indefinitely for future review.
The Research Folders-Last Folder command is found at the top of any document. When it is lit (active), the user can click to return to the last Research Folder displayed during the current research session.
Click on the Log Out button to end the research session on CCH Internet Tax Research NetWork.
Click on the Main Menu button to return either to the last Subject Menu or to the Tabs Window, whichever was more recently displayed. All selections will still be in effect.
The Nearby Documents Next command is found at the top of any document. When it is lit (active), click on it to get the next, contiguous document (like turning the page in a book) in the publication in which it is found.
The Nearby Documents Previous command is found at the top of any document. When it is lit (active), click on it to get the previous, contiguous document (like turning back to the previous page in a book) in the publication in which it is found.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Navigation Tools Page 7
Command Description
Click on the Preferences button to modify the Display or Search or Tracker Email options, as well as to view or modify or add or delete or submit Tax Tracker Searches.
The Print Text Only command is found at the top of any list. It is used to get “clean” hard copies of user-selected documents—that is, it is used to print documents without graphics. Such documents can be printed in full-text mode, by their titles only, or by their titles with their URLs.
To get a cross-referenced document that is not a hypertext link, select the cross- reference, move the pointer to the Find by Citation button, and click on the Quick Link that pops up containing the selection. Or, enter the cross-reference in the Quick Link Box on My CCH and click.
Click on the Research History button to display the user’s path, or audit trail, a record of the process of the user’s research session that identifies actions taken and places visited by the user in the course of the user’s research session.
The Save Link Favorite command, found at the top of every document, is used to create a URL in the user's list of Browser Favorites. It will enable the user to link directly to the document at which this hypertext link command was initially clicked.
The Save Link-Link Express command appears at the top of any document. Clicking on it creates a URL that will link directly to the document it designates.
Both the Search Expression Box, where a search expression is typed, and the Search button, that is clicked on to send it to CCH for processing, are found at the top of the Tabs window, any menu, any list, and any document.
The Search Results List command appears at the top of any document. When it is lit (active), clicking on it will redisplay the last list of documents retrieved by SEARCH.
The Search Tools button displays the Search Tools Template, where a user can select a Search Method, organize search results by relevance, limit the number of documents retrieved, target document types, restrict a search by date, confine a search to a segment, etc.
The Store Document Export command is found at the top of any document. It is used to save the currently displayed document as a Rich Text Format (.RTF) file in a word processor.
The Store Document Print command is found at the top of any document. It is used to get a “clean” hard copy of a document—that is, it is used to print the currently displayed document without graphics.
The Store Document Mail command is found at the top of a document. It is used to email a copy of a document.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
My CCH - Tab Customization Page 8
My CCH - Tab Customization Favorite Research Publications – Allow you to set up your own customized list of frequently used research publications. Tax Trackers – Track daily customized News and Primary Source material. Research Tools:
1. Quick Link – Enter a citation and quickly retrieve the document. 2. Research Folders – A quick way to access your research folders. 3. Run Recent Searches – Rerun one of your last 20 searches. 4. Favorite Searches – Set up searches that you use frequently. One click access
to rerun that favorite. Tax Highlights and Tax Briefings - Allow you to view special reports and significant tax news items for the current day.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
My CCH - Tab Customization Page 9
Favorite Research Publications
Save Favorite Publications on the My CCH tab for quick and easy access.
Best Practice: Click on the CCH Logo next to any publication. This enables you to create your personalized library of publications on the My CCH tab under Favorite Research Publications.
When you are in a library, click on the CCH logo
next to the publication you want to make a favorite.
A blue logo indicates that the publication
has been added to the My CCH tab.
Click here to change
the user name. To remove a favorite publication from My CCH,
click the blue CCH logo next to the item you want
to remove.
To remove all publications
from the My CCH tab,
click here.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
My CCH - Tab Customization Page 10
Research Tools
Quickly find a document using a Citation. Select and run a recent search.
View and select a Research folder. View and run your saved Favorite Searches.
Download CCH@Hand, link to the Tax Message Board, and find other handy tools in the
Downloads, Sign-Ups, and Links sections on My CCH.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
My CCH - Tab Customization Page 11
Tax Tracker News
Personalized Tax News Delivered Daily to your desktop and your email address.
Tax Tracker allows you to customize Daily Tax News. After you have created a Tracker, the news can be delivered to your email each day. Instructions on creating Customized News Items:
1. Click “Set up Tax Tracker Searches”.
2. Choose the Tax Topic, Document Types, and enter Specific keywords.
3. Click Add and enter the name of the Tax Tracker.
4. The new Daily Tax Tracker will be added to the My CCH Tab.
Best Practice: If you have CCH@Hand installed, your daily news will automatically be delivered to your desktop each morning. When you click on the headline, your news will appear in the CCH@Hand Desktop Console. From your news story, you can click on hotlinks to extend your research.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
My CCH - Tab Customization Page 12
Example of a Federal Tax Tracker:
NOTE: There are several tax types to choose from when creating Tax Trackers. To set up email or to check archives of Tax Trackers, choose the appropriate tab at the top of the Tax Tracker setup screen.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
My CCH - Tab Customization Page 13
Tax Tracker News Tab
From the main menu you can click on the Tax Tracker News tab to display Trackers News in a customized newspaper format as shown below.
When reading your Tracker News, you can access any item presented in blue type by clicking on the text.
Best Practice: Partners, Managers and tax staff should check CCH Tax Tracker News to stay current on daily changes and how they impact specific clients.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Organization of Libraries Page 14
Organization of Libraries
When you first log in to CCH Tax Research NetWork, you will find that your subscription in logically organized into tabs, allowing you to quickly find the appropriate research information. Within each tab you find shaded bars which logically organize information. For example, the Current Features and Journals section of the Federal tab lists the most recent information at the top of the screen.
As you move from top to bottom you will find all the information you need to begin your research. The Topical Indexes are located at the bottom of the Library Tabs. The only exception to this is the State Tax Reporters. The Topical Index for State Tax Reporters is located in that State publication. On the Federal tab, most of your research will begin in the CCH Explanations and Analysis section. On the State tab, most of your research will begin with the State Tax Reporters section.
Library Tabs
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Beginning Your Research Page 15
Beginning Your Research To begin your research:
• Click on a tab (My CCH, Federal, State, International, etc.) to see all the publications available.
• To Keyword Search, click a publication’s checkbox, type in your search terms in
the box on the Navigation Bar and click Search. • To Find by Citation, click a publication’s checkbox, click on Find by Citation in
the Navigation Bar, type cite into template and click Search. • To Browse, click on a publication’s title to see the contents of that publication.
This method is just like using the table of contents in the front of a book.
• To find a topic by the Index, scroll to bottom of tab and select the publication.
The method you choose, whether you begin with a general topic, a citation, or keywords, will depend largely on the information you have at the start of your research.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Beginning Your Research Page 16
Search Preferences For now, we will look at the default settings and leave most as they are.
The default search options are:
1. Search method is set to All Terms, a good general setting. 2. The search will return 200 results. It is suggested you change this to 9999. 3. The search results will Display by Document. 4. Search Results will be sorted by relevance. 5. Search terms will be highlighted within the search results. 6. Words around hits in the result list will be displayed. 7. The CCH tax thesaurus is turned on. 8. Citation searching is allowed in a word search box.
Click on Preferences
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Beginning Your Research Page 17
Keyword Searching in CCH
To search in CCH Tax Research NetWork, simply click in the appropriate boxes next to the publication(s) you would like to search; type in your keywords and click on Search.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Beginning Your Research Page 18
A Search Results list will be displayed.
An in-depth discussion on searching is covered in the product specific research classes available on our training website at http://tax.cchgroup.com/knowledgecenter You can also click on the Help button at the top of the Navigation Bar any time during your research session. To end your research:
1. On the Navigation Bar, click Log Out. 2. Click OK to confirm that you want to log out.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Beginning Your Research Page 19
Find by Citation
When you know the citation of the document, simply click the appropriate box and click Find by Citation on the Navigation Bar.
The Find by Citation template appears, key in your cite and click search. Your document will appear on your screen.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Beginning Your Research Page 20
Browsing
Simply click on any publication title…
…and you will view the Table of Contents for that publication.
Continue clicking and browsing logically through the Table of Contents until you find your answer. At any point you can use the boxes to selectively search each publication.
Table of Contents for
the Federal Tax
Guide.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Beginning Your Research Page 21
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Beginning Your Research Page 22
Topical Indexes
The Topical Indexes are located at the bottom of the Library Tabs. The only exception to this is the State Tax Reporters. The Topical Index for State Tax Reporters is located in that State publication. Scroll to the very bottom of a Library tab and click on the publication title.
Works just like an index in the back of a
book. Click the alpha letter of your issue,
choose your topic and click on the link to
the document you want to view. You can
also click in the check box and keyword
search within the index.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Beginning Your Research Page 23
Best Practice: Use Clear Selections (on the Navigation Bar) at any point during your research session to reset the system and return to the main menu of the tab you are working in. This allows you to “start over” with one click at anytime.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Beginning Your Research Page 24
Topic Navigator
Topic Navigator contains information from a wide variety of CCH resources, including books, reporters, treatises and journals-all gathered specifically for your tax law needs.
Open each area by click on the plus sign on the left. Then highlight the topic to see the results on the right side. A browse pane with the topic map is displayed on the left side of your screen. The topic map lists all the topics available for viewing. A results window displayed on the right side of your screen contains links to documents on Tax Research NetWork.
The right side gives you
all the publications where
an answer can be found.
You will see green checks
next to the publications
you have in your
subscription.
Expand All or
Collapse All of
the topics.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Beginning Your Research Page 25
Click any of the links to go directly to the full text of the document in Tax Research NetWork.
Keyword searching can also be done in the Topic Navigator. Enter a term or phrase in the search field and click Search Topics. A list of topics will appear in a window under the search box. The results include the locations where your search terms are found within the Topic Navigator including the path to the topic.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Interactive Research Aids Page 26
Interactive Research Aids
Interactive Charts
The interactive research charts cover business entities, employee plans, retirement options, accounting issues, filing locations, and much more. These productivity tools give you important information, rates, and planning options in easy-to-read chart format, provide calculations and present filing dates and other requirements.
They can be found on the Federal Tax tab under the Practice Aids area and also on the Tax Tools tab under the Practice Aids and Lookup Tables.
We will look at these charts from the Tax Tools tab.
Example: Let’s say we would like to find a chart that will assist us in determining the steps that must be taken in order to form a C corporation, S corporation, limited liability company (LLC), general partnership, or limited partnership. The federal tax treatment of costs incurred and contributions made to the business entity during the formation process is also addressed in this application.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Interactive Research Aids Page 27
Select the Entities charts.
This will open the charts and we will use the Formation of Business Entities Interactive Chart.
This will give you a description of the chart and other references within the Federal Tax Guide.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Interactive Research Aids Page 28
Launch the chart and select the Topics you want and click on Next.
Select the Entities you want and then click on Next.
And your chart is created…
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Interactive Research Aids Page 29
Display as Chart View or a Matrix View and also look to see updates within the last 120 days.
Chart Options.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Log Out Page 30
Log Out Log Out when you finish your research session – don’t just close your browser.
When you finish your Research Session, use the Log Out Button to free up a CCH Tax Research NetWork resource for your colleagues.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Appendix A – Best Practices Page 31
Appendix A – Best Practices
Best Practice
Page Number Best Practice: Use CCH@Hand icons and the CCH@Hand Browser toolbar to log in automatically without having to enter your User ID or password. To download and install CCH@Hand, go to: http://athand.cch.com
Page 3
Best Practice: Sharing research IDs is not recommended because only one person can be logged in on a single ID at a time, with last login having control. In addition, all search preferences are ID specific. Contact your CCH Sales Representative regarding additional IDs.
Page 3
Best Practice: Sign up for the CCH@Hand web training to learn how you can take advantage of the powerful research tools available within CCH@Hand.
Page 3
Best Practice: Use Clear Selections at any point during your research session to reset the system and return to the main menu of the tab you’re working on. This allows you to start over with one click from anywhere at anytime.
Page 4
Best Practice: Click on the CCH Logo next to any publication. This enables you to create your personalized library of publications on the My CCH tab under Favorite Research Publications.
Page 9
Best Practice: If you have CCH@Hand installed, your daily news will automatically be delivered to your desktop each morning. When you click on the headline, your news will appear in the CCH@Hand Desktop Console. From your news story, you can click on hotlinks to extend your research.
Page 11
Best Practice: Partners, Managers and tax staff should check CCH Tax Tracker News to stay current on daily changes and how they impact specific clients.
Page 13
Best Practice: Use Clear Selections at any point during your research session to reset the system and return to the main menu of the tab you are working on. This allows you to start over with one click from anywhere at anytime.
Page 23
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Appendix B – CCH@Hand Page 32
Appendix B – CCH@Hand CCH@Hand icons and the CCH@Hand Browser toolbar all allow you to log in to the CCH Tax Research NetWork automatically, without having to enter a User ID and password. To download and install CCH@Hand go to: http://athand.cch.com CCH@Hand Desktop The CCH@Hand Desktop lets you search CCH, the Web (with Google™), and files on your computer (with Google™ Desktop) from a handy desktop tool that’s easy to use. You can also search for CCH documents by citation, run searches against your index content, and view and manage your daily Tracker News and your Research Folders from the CCH@Hand Desktop. CCH@Hand Office 2003 Tools The CCH@Hand Search Services for the Research Task Pane let you search for, view, and manage documents right from your Microsoft Office 2003 applications. CCH@Hand Smart Tags automatically recognize citations in your documents and provide you with options for working with the citations. You can link citations to actual documents on CCH Tax Research NetWork, view related documents, and even insert an excerpt or the full text of a cited document right into your current work. The CCH@Hand Toolbar for Microsoft Word gives you quick access to the Research Task Pane, lets you quickly link or unlink all citations in a document. CCH@Hand Browser Toolbar A handy toolbar for Microsoft Internet Explorer lets you search CCH Tax Research NetWork, view news, manage your documents, and perform other research tasks from anywhere on the Web. CCH@Hand Desktop Tools Icons on your desktop, system tray, and Quick Launch toolbar allow for quick and easy access to the CCH@Hand Desktop and CCH Tax Research NetWork.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Appendix C – ProSystem fx Page 33
Appendix C – ProSystem fx Establishing a link between the CCH Tax Research NetWork and CCH ProSystem fx provides quick and easy access to research from within tax compliance with a click of the mouse. Start by having the system administrator configure CCH ProSystem fx to provide this link.
To establish the link, open the Office Manager module; then select Configure, Research; then check the box that is shown with the checkmark.
1.
2. 3.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Appendix C – ProSystem fx Page 34
Linking CCH Tax Research NetWork and CCH ProSystem fx When the system administrator has completed these steps, the system is ready for each user to configure his/her respective workstation. To configure your workstation, open CCH ProSystem fx and make these adjustments:
1. Selection Options, then Interface Options.
2. Choose Research.
3. Click the CCH Tax Research NetWork button and enter your login User ID and
Password. Click OK.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Appendix C – ProSystem fx Page 35
Linking CCH ProSystem fx and CCH Tax Research NetWork After these steps have been completed, you are ready to link from compliance to research with the click of your mouse. To make this function easier, add the CCH Research icon to the CCH ProSystem fx toolbar. Then simply click on the icon.
To add the icon, choose (1) Options, (2) Customize Toolbar, (3) locate the Research icon, (4) highlight it, and then (5) click on the Add button. To link from compliance to research, place your cursor on the cell or box in either Interview or Government View and click on the CCH Research icon on the toolbar. This will open the CCH Tax Research NetWork and take you to the area where this subject is discussed in the U.S. Master Tax Guide. Once you have accessed research, you are in the CCH Tax Research NetWork and can research in any library or publication. Another useful feature is the ability to copy a research answer from CCH Tax Research NetWork to CCH ProSystem fx, and then paste the research into the tax return for a record.
CCH Tax Research NetWork Introduction to Tax Research Network
Appendix D – Support Page Page 36
Appendix D – Support Page
CCH offers many resources to help you work most effectively with your Tax Research Network (TRN) product. Simply click the Training & Support tab to find out what is available:
CCH Customer Support: Use this section to contact CCH Customer support. Links are provided to the Customer Support Web site and a contact via email. Phone numbers are also provided if you wish to call CCH directly.
Tax Research NetWork Training: Sign up for TRN training classes.
- IntroToTRN
- IntrotoTRN -March2008.pdf