TaxCalc Backups

How to backup the TaxCalc application on the different installation types:

NOTE: We do not hold any data with respect to the databases of Standalone or Server/Network users. It is the responsibility to the end-user to ensure that the necessary files are backed up. It is important to backup your information regularly to avoid any loss of data.

We cater for many different customer installation types, ranging from practice to independent private users, and below are the most common setups. If you are unsure on which you may fall under, please do contact TaxCalc Support and we would be more than happy to confirm this for you.

Standalone Personal (Tax Returns Only):

Using the standalone version for tax returns only, means that the tax returns themselves are saved as individual files on your machine. Each tax return file should be treated as a backup of the tax return itself and therefore should be saved in at least two locations.

For assistance locating the tax returns on your machine, please see attached knowledge based article: How do I find a missing file? (Individual, Partnership, Limited Company and Trust users)


Standalone Personal - VAT:

When the TaxCalc application has started > Help > Restore backup from file > Yes > Browse (to choose the location of the backup) > Backup > Close the window stating Restore Backup

For additional information please see the knowledge based article: How to backup and restore my VAT information - non-practice user

CloudConnect:

Login as the Hub Administrator (username hub admin and the appropriate password) on any machine that is connected to your cloud database > Admin Centre > Database > Backup Database > Backup (generally these backups are taken each time an update is applied to the TaxCalc application.

Note that when operating on cloud, these backups are known as Manual Backups and are limited to 10. You can easily delete one or more when the limit has been reached by following the steps highlighted in the attached knowledge based article: Cannot make a backup when TaxCalc needs updating

For additional information on how CloudConnect backups are stored, please see attached knowledge based article: How are CloudConnect backups stored and secured.

Standalone & Server/Network:

Login as the Hub Administrator (username hub admin and the appropriate password) on the server machine > Admin Centre > Database  > Backup Database (browse if you wish to change the location of the backup) > Backup

When operating on the server/network version but also using a remote environment (VM/Hosted). It is a good idea to ensure that the data folder is backed up automatically to ensure no loss of data: C:\TaxCalcHub\PostgreSQL\9.4

For additional information please see the knowledge based article: How do I back up the database?

Backup Reminders

Within the Notifications panel at the top right hand side, there can be a notification that prompts for a backup to be taken of the TaxCalc application. We recommend that a backup is taken at least 3 times a week to ensure that there are no losses of data.

You are able to amend the reminder interval for taking backups by following these steps:

Admin Centre > Database > Set Reminder Interval

Where to store backups:

It is recommended that you store your backups in at least two different locations to ensure that if one location is no longer functional, you then have another option to restore your database. Ensure to save the backup locally before moving it to a different location (Documents/Desktop/Downloads) as this avoids compressing the file and potentially making the backup unreadable.

The following locations can be used to store your backups:

• Locally on your machine (Documents/Desktop/Downloads)
• NAS Drive
• Cloud Storage ( For example - OneDrive / Dropbox)
• Portable Hard Drive
• USB/Memory Stick
• Separate drive on the same machine