In order to set up the Beta test version, you need to transfer a backup from your live system onto another computer to ensure that you have data to work with. The instructions required to do so are listed below.

Live System

1. Ensure all TaxCalc users are logged off of the software.
2. Network users will need to log onto the machine which acts as the TaxCalc server with the admin username and password. Standalone users should log in as normal.
3. Go to Admin Centre > Database > Backup database.
4. Save the backup to your desktop.
5. Then transfer the backup file to a USB stick or Cloud storage solution such as OneDrive or Dropbox for transfer to your beta computer.

Beta System

How to ensure previous versions of TaxCalc are removed from your Beta machine.

1. Browse to Control Panel and go through Add/remove programs.
2. If present uninstall
   • TaxCalc
   • TaxCalc Discovery service
   • PostgreSQL 9.4
3. Rename the TaxCalcHub folder located in the root of the C:\ drive to old2023TaxCalcHub.

Downloading the current version of TaxCalc on your Beta computer

1. Use the direct download link to download the BETA version of TaxCalc
   1. Windows (TaxCalc V14.5.173)
   2. Mac (TaxCalc V14.5.173)
2. Run the installer and complete the installation using the BETA credentials supplied via email.
3. On first run the initial setup wizard will appear, only populate the password field then skip through the rest of the setup. This will allow a blank database to be created, when you restore from your backup file the skipped details will be pre-populated for you.
4. Log in to TaxCalc on the beta machine.
5. Navigate to Admin Centre > Database > Restore backup from file. 
6. Select No to the pop up message to successfully restore from your backup file.

At this point you will now have an exact replica of the software which is currently running on your main computer. This means that the TaxCalc admin password will have now reverted to the original password you use on the main computer. If you are unable to remember this then you will be able to request the password reset on screen. You will need to ensure that you use your beta credentials at this point. 

It is worth noting that if you are on the network version of the software and the machines are on the same network, the other users will now have 2 visible databases which they can access. They should remain on the database which they have always connected to and simply login. If they click on the wrong database and choose the database which is being used for testing, this may change some files in their local folder and will mean that they cannot re-connect to the existing database without the software being uninstalled and then reinstalled.