What This Is
Welcome to Chester's Form Factory!
Chester's Form Factory is a free Excel-based tax workpaper tool for tax preparers and reviewers. It organizes your inputs, supports calculations, creates tie-outs, flags review issues, and makes return prep and review cleaner.
This is not tax software. It does not e-file. It does not replace professional judgment. It's a workpaper tool that helps you keep your ducks in a row while you do the actual thinking.
- ✔ Built by a preparer, for preparers
- ✔ Organize inputs, support calcs, flag review issues
- ✔ Free forever — freeware, not SaaS
- ✔ 2026 testing build — test it, break it, tell Chester what happened
Open v0.1 Testing Build
The first public testing build of Chester's Form Factory. Includes Master Inputs, QBI, NIIT, passive activity, rental, Schedule C, dependents/credits, Schedule A, 1099-R mapping, carryforwards, diagnostics, and more. You are the field testers. Open the Google Sheets workbook, make your own copy or export it to Excel, and let Chester know what breaks.
- Opens In
- Google Sheets
- Export
- Excel-compatible
- Macros
- None
- Cost
- Freeware
Testing note: Use a copy while evaluating this build. Confirm formulas and tax positions before relying on any calculated result.
Workbook Preview
Formula Transparency
Formulas are intentionally visible and unlocked. The workbook is meant to be inspected, challenged, and adjusted by preparers who understand the return they are building.
If this tool saves you time and adds value to your practice, consider buying me a coffee.
Found a bug?
Have an idea?
Let me know!
Not tax software. Does not e-file. Does not replace professional judgment. This is a testing build.
Current Modules
Central hub for taxpayer data. Enter it once, and it flows through every workpaper that needs it.
Qualified business income workpaper with threshold checks, phase-outs, and W-2/UBIA limitations.
Net investment income tax support. Calculates MAGI threshold and maps investment income categories.
Passive activity loss workpaper with rental exception logic and suspended loss tracking.
Rental property support with per-property income/expense tracking and depreciation tie-ins.
Self-employment workpaper with expense categories aligned to IRS instructions and SE tax calc.
Dependent tracking with CTC, ODC, and EIC logic including phase-outs and qualifying child rules.
Itemized deduction workpaper with SALT cap tracking, medical threshold, and charity substantiation notes.
Maps 1099-R distribution codes to additional tax and penalty calculations. Exception tracking included.
Carryforward input tab and rollforward outputs so next year starts where this year left off.
Built-in diagnostic checks, tie-out summaries, review notes, and flag system for reviewer attention items.
No sheet protection. Every formula is visible, editable, and yours to inspect. No macros — pure Excel formulas.
Changelog / Version History
- First public testing build of Chester's Form Factory.
- Master Inputs tab for centralized taxpayer data entry.
- QBI / Section 199A workpaper with threshold and phase-out logic.
- NIIT / Form 8960 support with MAGI threshold calculations.
- Passive activity / Form 8582 workpaper with rental exception and suspended loss tracking.
- Schedule E / rental activity support with per-property tracking.
- Schedule C / self-employment workpaper with SE tax calculations.
- Dependent and credit support including CTC, ODC, and EIC logic.
- Schedule A itemized deduction workpaper with SALT cap tracking.
- 1099-R early distribution and additional tax mapping with exception tracking.
- Carryforward inputs and rollforward outputs for year-over-year continuity.
- Diagnostics, tie-outs, review notes, and summary check system.
- All formulas unlocked, no macros, no sheet protection.
- Chester the Rook mascot introduced.
- Internal review and testing — not publicly distributed.
- Core formula logic validated against sample returns.
- Print-area definitions added to all worksheets.
Donate
Chester's Form Factory is freeware — always has been, always will be. But if this tool saved you an hour of prep time (or your reviewer's sanity), consider tossing a few bucks Chester's way.
Donations go toward hosting, continued development, and the alarming amount of coffee consumed while debugging nested IF statements at 2 AM.
Donating is completely optional. Chester will not hold it against you. He's a rook, not a guilt-tripper.
Donation links are not live yet. For now, send support questions or contribution requests to aalbiek19@icloud.com.
Submit Feedback
Found a formula that's off? A tab that doesn't make sense? Have an idea for a module Chester hasn't thought of yet? This is a testing build — your feedback is what makes it better. Use the form below or email directly at aalbiek19@icloud.com.
Testing Build Disclaimer
This is a v0.1 testing build. Chester's Form Factory is provided "as is" for informational and organizational purposes only. It is not tax software. It does not e-file. It does not constitute legal, accounting, or tax advice, and it does not replace professional judgment. Always verify results with current IRS publications and your own professional expertise.
This is a testing build. Formulas may contain errors. Outputs may be incomplete. You are strongly encouraged to test, validate, and report any issues you find. The author(s) make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or fitness of these workpapers for any particular purpose. Use at your own risk.
Tax law changes frequently. Always confirm that the workpaper reflects the current tax year's rules before relying on any calculated result. When in doubt, check the source — the IRS instructions, not Chester.