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CCH — Tax Research NetWork

888-CCH-REPStax.cchgroup.com

From the Jan. 2009 Review
of Tax Research Systems

CCH is one of the most widely known providers of tax and accounting research
products, as well as compliance and practice management technologies. The company’s
web-based Tax Research NetWork (TRN) is the cornerstone of its research offerings,
providing a comprehensive collection of federal, state and international primary
sources and analysis, news, opinion, practice aids, calculators and lookup tables.
The program offers integration with ProSystem fx Tax and other applications
in CCH’s arsenal, enabling users to tie research and other content directly
back to specific client engagements. The system is comprised of several modules,
which can be added depending upon practice specialty and client demographics.
Pricing for TRN starts at $599, while the optional modules are priced at $199
and up.

EASE-OF-USE & SEARCH ROUTINE – 5 Stars
Users log into TRN using their web browser, with the screen then opening to
a customizable interface that starts with the user’s personalized desk-top.
The core research libraries are available on tabs across the top of the screen,
including options for Accounting/Audit-ing, Federal, State, Financial &
Estate Planning, Special Entities, Pension & Payroll, and International.
Also available are tabs for the add-on modules Perform Plus III and CCH ClientRelate.
The program’s primary search functions are located in the navigation bar
at the very top of the screen, with options for search-ing by citation, checking
the citator or accessing additional search tools. These advanced search functions
include multiple search methods, the ability to sort by tax type or entity,
various options for sorting and displaying search results, and even a thesaurus
feature that can suggest additional terms to use in queries. Users can also
re-run recent searches or search from news sources. The navigation bar also
offers text-based links to research histories, a keep list and the main menu.
When on the personal home page, the pri-mary window provides links to favorite
research publications and libraries, as well as tax news and highlights from
CCH’s editors.

When within the core TRN research libraries, the screen provides lists of
all individual products in that library, sorted by subject. For instance, the
Federal Taxes library displays dozens of options under sections for Current
Features and Journals, Explanations and Analysis, Tax Treatises, Primary Sources,
Practice Aids, Tax Archives, and Topical Indexes. While performing searches,
users can select individual publications, such as the U.S. Master Tax Guide
in CCH’s Explanations and Analysis section, or they can select the entire
library, which also includes items such as the Tax Research Consultant, Standard
Federal Income Tax Reporter, Federal Estate & Gift Tax Reporter, Planning
Tools and other options. The program’s Training and Support tab offers
several utilities for assistance.

Several add-on tools are also available, including CCH Mobile, which lets
users access TRN remotely. Also available is the TRN Express Toolbar, which
adds links to the user’s web browser for quick access to TRN. One of the
most notable tools is CCH@Hand, a productivity feature that integrates with
Microsoft Office to allow users to search multiple sources simultaneously while
working within a document, including the TRN libraries, Google, the IRS and
professional websites. Also, with the ClientRelate add-on, the system can automatically
alert professionals to tax news or other developments that might affect specific
clients based on their income, demographics or other issues.

CONTENT – 5 Stars
TRN’s core libraries provide an extensive offering of primary source materials
and expert opinion and analysis for all tax entities, with collections in-cluding
federal, state and international taxation laws, as well as accounting and audit,
pension and payroll, financial and estate planning, the IRC, tax treaties, rulings,
and additional options. CCH also provides multiple news-based content sources,
such as the Tax Tracker and Tax Highlights. The vendor recently introduced two
new products geared for small and medium-sized firms. Practical Tax Expert spotlights
income tax laws facing individuals and small business, providing practical examples,
sample calculations, compliance pointers and other features. Practical Tax Professional
addresses many of the same topics, but provides greater depth in its analysis
and a broader range of examples and features.

CUSTOMIZATION – 5 Stars
TRN provides a very easy-to-use, customizable personal home page that includes
quick access to frequently used publications, research tools such as the Quick
Link function (which provides citation searching), custom Tax Trackers and Highlights
that alert users to items that may potentially affect clients, and a section
for downloading add-ons, accessing message boards, or signing up for newsletters
and other items.

INTEGRATION/OUTPUT – 5 Stars
With the addition of Client-Relate, TRN can integrate with the tax compliance
and planning components of the ProSystem fx suite, automatically searching legislation,
news, analysis and other content that may affect client taxation based upon
each client’s financial attributes. TRN’s content can also be accessed
from within browsers or other websites by utilizing the TRN Express Toolbar
and CCH@Hand, Returned research findings can be printed or output to Word or
PDF format.

SUPPORT – 5 Stars
Since the product’s redesign a little more than a year ago, TRN offers
great customization and general usability, with ample support and guidance for
users growing accustomed to the system. The program’s Training & Support
tab provides good Help features, while CCH’s support center provides FAQs,
tips and CPE-eligible training options. Technical support is included with the
product’s subscription pricing.

2009 OVERALL RATING: