Member Avatar for Artamos

First my skill levels:

I was over the moon when a friend donated his Trash80 to me, complete with manuals, oh so many years ago..

I got a glimpse into the PC world and later embraced DOS programming..:)

As windows came into the picture I left behind my 'boyhood' knowledge and went with the flow...

Many years later I find find myself at this juncture..

I need a simple way of tracking and therefore making my life simpler for a very small business.

I have checked out the simplest of accounting programs but none seem to fit my minimal requirements. I have found the learning curve far exceeds my simple requirements so I was wondering if I spent the time elsewhere and was able to design something specific to my needs would that time be better spent on an intellectual level?.. (Knowledge acquired being able to be spent in a broader sense and all that?).

Now my question..

Is there anything I can do with Java to track

Gasoline receipts.
Auto repairs.
Daily income. Including built in GST.
GST on expenses.
Repairs. (Including GST)..

GST being a value added tax collected and submitted to the government less the GST paid on gasoline and repairs.??
.
.
Any opinions/help would be appreciated..

Thanks in advance..
.

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As pointed out, Java is perfectly capable of a small bookkeeping tool. Start by designing the workflow first (use a spreadsheet to mock inputs and the reports you want) and then implement the smallest useful slice in Java: ingest receipts, store transactions, and produce a monthly GST summary. was right — learn by example: small, working pieces are better than a big unfinished project.

Use a simple domain model: a Transaction with date, amount (use BigDecimal), gstAmount (or a flag that the amount is GST-included), category and vendor. Always use BigDecimal for money and java.time classes for dates to avoid rounding and timezone issues. To extract GST from a GST-included total, use the formula shown in code (replace the tax rate with your local rate):

import java.math.BigDecimal;
import java.math.RoundingMode;

public class TaxUtil {
  public static BigDecimal extractGST(BigDecimal totalInclGST, BigDecimal rate) {
    // rate as decimal, e.g. new BigDecimal("0.05") for 5%
    return totalInclGST.multiply(rate)
      .divide(BigDecimal.ONE.add(rate), 2, RoundingMode.HALF_UP);
  }
}

For storage start with CSV or a small embedded DB (SQLite or H2 via JDBC) so you can export data easily. For UI, begin with a console or simple Swing/JavaFX form, then add CSV import/export, monthly summaries, and a GST report showing "GST collected on sales minus GST paid on purchases = GST payable." Keep regular backups and reconcile monthly. Tax specifics (eligible credits, provincial rates, etc.) vary — treat the app as a calculation aid, not legal advice, and confirm reporting rules with your accountant or tax authority.

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Member Avatar for Jocamps

The question is..do you know how to program in JAVA? (you haven't mention it in your "skill levels")

Member Avatar for Artamos

Not yet but I'm willing to learn if Java will suit.
.

Member Avatar for VernonDozier

First my skill levels:

I was over the moon when a friend donated his Trash80 to me, complete with manuals, oh so many years ago..

I got a glimpse into the PC world and later embraced DOS programming..:)

As windows came into the picture I left behind my 'boyhood' knowledge and went with the flow...

Many years later I find find myself at this juncture..

I need a simple way of tracking and therefore making my life simpler for a very small business.

I have checked out the simplest of accounting programs but none seem to fit my minimal requirements. I have found the learning curve far exceeds my simple requirements so I was wondering if I spent the time elsewhere and was able to design something specific to my needs would that time be better spent on an intellectual level?.. (Knowledge acquired being able to be spent in a broader sense and all that?).

Now my question..

Is there anything I can do with Java to track

Gasoline receipts.
Auto repairs.
Daily income. Including built in GST.
GST on expenses.
Repairs. (Including GST)..

GST being a value added tax collected and submitted to the government less the GST paid on gasoline and repairs.??
.
.
Any opinions/help would be appreciated..

Thanks in advance..
.

Yes to all of the above. Java can do all of this, or at least it probably can since I don't know what GST is. I don't know that it's worth learning Java just to do that, but you could certainly make or use a Java program to do all of that. Don't plan on installing Java on the TRS-80 though. ;)

Member Avatar for Artamos

Thanks mate. I think I'll give Java a go I need a project..

GST is a value added tax here in Canada.
.

Member Avatar for Artamos

Thanks. That's what I had in mind..
.

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