Preparing import files for hierarchy structures

Tax Provision provides you with Excel import files that you can use to set up hierarchy structures in bulk during implementation. You can import structures for the Accounts, Entities, and Currency dimensions. The hierarchies for the Timeper, Elements, and Controls dimensions are preconfigured by Longview and should not be modified.

In this section, you can find information on the following topics:

• Creating vs. modifying hierarchy structures
• Preparing import files for currency structures
• Preparing import files for entity structures
• Preparing import files for account structures

Tax Provision includes the following hierarchy structure import files to help you load system structures during implementation:

Longview recommends that you use the provided template files; however, you can also create your own .csv files as long as the column headers match those in the included templates. You must include any columns that end in [R], but you can omit other columns as necessary.

You can rename import files to make them more meaningful to your company; however, the file prefix must remain the same.

Creating vs. modifying hierarchy structures

You can use the import functionality to create new hierarchy symbols and to modify existing hierarchy symbols. If a symbol name already exists in the database, any values imported for optional fields will modify those properties for the defined symbol.

If you leave a parameter blank in a structure file, the existing value for that parameter is retained in the database. When editing an existing symbol, any values specified in the optional fields are applied to the symbol, even if the input value is the same as the current value in the database.

Note: Typically, you can use a blank entry in a structure file only when you are editing an existing symbol. Most columns are required when creating new symbols.

Preparing import files for currency structures

Tax Provision includes a currency import file to help you import currency structures into your new system, or to modify currency structures in bulk for an existing system. Unlike other import files, the currencies file is pre-populated with currency names and descriptions based on the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) naming conventions to make it easier for you to add currencies to the system. You can also add custom currencies using this file.

To prepare a currencies structure import file:

1. Open the Currency_Structure.csv file in Microsoft Excel. For information on obtaining template files, see “Obtaining import template files”.
2. Complete these fields:

   Field	Description
   Currency [R]	Specify a name for the currency. The name can contain a maximum of 15 alpha-numeric characters, can contain, but not start with, periods ( . ) and underscores ( _ ), and can be entirely numeric. The name must be unique in the system. Recommended currency names are provided in the template file. Valid currencies to edit are symbols assigned to the SourceC hierarchy.
   Description	Type a description for the currency. Currency descriptions can contain up to 61 characters. Recommended currency descriptions are provided in the template file.
   Sort Order	Specify a numeric value from 1 and up representing the symbol’s position in the hierarchy relative to its parent. If you set a symbol’s sort order to 0, it falls to the bottom of the list.
   Include [R]	Specify whether to include the currency in your Tax Provision system using one of the following options: Y—Includes the currency in your Tax Provision system. N—Ignores the currency when processing the import file.
   Functional/ Reporting	Specify one of the following options: Functional—Use this value to make the currency available as a functional currency. Reporting—Use this value to make the currency available as a reporting currency. If a currency is a reporting currency, it is automatically available as a functional currency as well.
   Currency Sign	Specify the currency sign to use for the currency. For example, $.

   When you are finished, save the template as a comma-delimited (.csv) file.

   Note: You can rename the file, but the file prefix must remain the same. For a list of file prefixes, see “Preparing import files for hierarchy structures”.

   If you are ready to import the data, continue to “Importing and exporting”.

Preparing import files for entity structures

You can use import files in Tax Provision to import entity structures into your new system, or to modify entity structures in bulk for an existing system.

There are several types of entity structures:

• Primary entity structure—The primary entities structure is the TENTITIES structure and contains all the entities for the tax provision.
• Alternate entity structure—The alternate entities structure includes custom hierarchies. Your company can use these alternate hierarchies to calculate interim effective tax rates at a sub-consolidated level, or to provide alternate reporting structures for custom reports.
• Partnership structure—Partnerships are entities where a percentage of the total partnership’s income and provision details are allocated to individual partner leaf entities or owners. All partnerships in Tax Provision fall under the PShip hierarchy.
• Jurisdictions and Legal Entity Grouping structures—The jurisdictions and legal entity groupings exist under the root symbol Jurisdictions. Information from jurisdictions can be used for both informational and reporting purposes, providing an alternate rollup to legal entities.
• Automation group structure—The automation groups exist under the root symbol Automation_Groups. You can use automation groups to simplify maintenance for entities that use the same, or similar, automation settings for net income before tax, book-tax differences, or current and deferred tax accounts.

Preparing import files for primary entity structures

You can use the Entity_Primary_Structure.csv to add and edit primary legal entities.

To prepare an entity structure import file:

1. Open the Entity_Primary_Structure.csv file in Microsoft Excel. For information on obtaining template files, see “Obtaining import template files”.
2. Complete these fields:

   Field	Description
   Entity [R]	Specify a name for the entity. The name can contain a maximum of 31 alpha-numeric characters, can contain, but not start with, periods ( . ) and underscores ( _ ), and can be entirely numeric. The name must be unique in the system. Valid entities to edit are symbols assigned to TENTITIES. You can assign symbols from EntitiesHier1—5, or any symbols in custom hierarchies in the Entities dimension (including root symbols) to symbols in the TENTITIES hierarchy.
   Description	Type a description for the entity. Entity descriptions can contain up to 100 characters.
   Parent	Specify the parent symbol for the entity. Parent entities must appear in the list before any of their children. Valid parents are symbols assigned to the TENTITIES hierarchy.
   Rollup	Specify whether the entity has positive impact ( + ), negative impact ( - ), or no impact ( 0 ) on its parent. The default is +.
   Sort Order	Specify a numeric value from 1 and up representing the symbol’s position in the hierarchy relative to its parent. If you set a symbol’s sort order to 0, it falls to the bottom of the list.
   Functional Currency	Specify the functional (native) currency to use for the entity. Entities that are children of the same Legal Entity Grouping must have the same functional currency. If you do not specify a functional currency, the default value of the ZGPNativeCurrency attribute is used.
   Entity Type	This setting applies only if Use Entity Calculation Level is set to TRUE. Specify whether to designate this entity as the calculation level for deferred tax classification and netting, and valuation allowance allocation for all leaf entities below it. CALCULATION LEVEL—Use this value to designate this entity as the calculation level for deferred tax classification and netting, and valuation allowance allocation for all leaf entities below it.""—Use this value to clear any value for this setting. This setting applies only to parent entities in the TENTITIES hierarchy and has the following restrictions: all leaf entities under a parent designated as a Calculation Level must belong to the same Legal Entity Grouping (if applicable) all leaf entities under a parent designated as a Calculation Level must use the same functional currency If you do not specify a calculation level, deferred tax classification and netting, and valuation allowance allocation are calculated at the legal entity level. The Longview default value for this setting is FALSE.

3. When you are finished, save the template as a comma-delimited (.csv) file.

   Note: You can rename the file, but the file prefix must remain the same. For a list of file prefixes, see “Preparing import files for hierarchy structures”.

4. If you are ready to import the data, continue to “Importing and exporting”.

Preparing import files for alternate entity structures

You can use the Entity_Alternate_Structure.csv to add or modify alternate entity structures in the preconfigured EntitiesHier1–5 hierarchies and any custom entity root symbols for your system.

For information on removing a symbol for an alternate hierarchy, see “Removing entity symbols from a parent using an import file”.

To prepare an alternate entity structure import file:

1. Open the Entity_Alternate_Structure.csv file in Microsoft Excel. For information on obtaining template files, see “Obtaining import template files”.
2. Complete these fields:

   Field	Description
   Root	Specify the root symbol for the new entity. To create a new root or to edit an existing root, leave this column and the Parent column blank. Roots for entities in alternate structures can be one of the following: EntitiesHier1 EntitiesHier2 EntitiesHier3 EntitiesHier4 EntitiesHier5 any custom root symbol in the ENTITIES dimension
   Entity [R]	Specify a name for the entity. The name can contain a maximum of 31 alpha-numeric characters, can contain, but not start with, periods ( . ) and underscores ( _ ), and can be entirely numeric. The name must be unique in the system.
   Description	Type a description for the entity. Entity descriptions can contain up to 100 characters.
   Parent	Specify the parent symbol for the entity. Parent entities must appear in the list before any of their children. Do not specify a parent symbol if you are creating a new root or editing an existing root. Valid parents are symbols assigned to the root.
   Rollup	Specify whether the entity has positive impact ( + ), negative impact ( - ), or no impact ( 0 ) on its parent. The default is +.
   Sort Order	Specify a numeric value from 1 and up representing the symbol’s position in the hierarchy relative to its parent. If you set a symbol’s sort order to 0, it falls to the bottom of the list.
   Functional Currency	Specify the functional (native) currency to use for the entity. If you do not specify a functional currency, the default value of the ZGPNativeCurrency attribute is used.

3. When you are finished, save the template as a comma-delimited (.csv) file.

   Note: You can rename the file, but the file prefix must remain the same. For a list of file prefixes, see “Preparing import files for hierarchy structures”.

4. If you are ready to import the data, continue to “Importing and exporting”.

Preparing import files for jurisdiction structures

You can use the Entity_Jurisdiction_Structure.csv import file to add jurisdiction and legal entity groupings to your system.

To prepare a jurisdiction structure import file:

1. Open the Entity_Jurisdiction_Structure.csv file in Microsoft Excel. For information on obtaining template files, see “Obtaining import template files”.
2. Complete these fields:

   Field	Description
   Entity [R]	Specify a name for the entity. The name can contain a maximum of 31 alpha-numeric characters, can contain, but not start with, periods ( . ) and underscores ( _ ), and can be entirely numeric. The name must be unique in the system. Valid entities to edit are symbols assigned to the PShip hierarchy.
   Description	Type a description for the entity. Entity descriptions can contain up to 100 characters.
   Parent	Specify the parent symbol for the entity. Parent entities must appear in the list before any of their children. Do not specify a parent symbol if you are creating a new root or editing an existing root. Valid parents are symbols assigned to the root.
   Rollup	Specify whether the entity has positive impact ( + ), negative impact ( - ), or no impact ( 0 ) on its parent. The default is +.
   Sort Order	Specify a numeric value from 1 and up representing the symbol’s position in the hierarchy relative to its parent. If you set a symbol’s sort order to 0, it falls to the bottom of the list.
   Functional Currency	Specify the functional (native) currency to use for the entity. If you do not specify a functional currency, the default value of the ZGPNativeCurrency attribute is used.
   Entity Type	Specify one of the following: Legal Entity Grouping—Use this value to create a legal entity grouping, which is a parent entity that typically groups together legal entities, usually geographically or by operational function. Jurisdiction—Use this value to create a jurisdiction, which is a parent entity that typically aligns with an entity’s tax jurisdictions (commonly countries).

Preparing import files for partnership structures

You can use the Partnership_Structure.csv import file to add partnership entities to your system.

Note: The Parent and Rollup fields are not included in this file, because all partnerships are assigned to the PShip hierarchy with a positive rollup.

To prepare a partnership structure import file:

1. Open the Partnership_Structure.csv file in Microsoft Excel. For information on obtaining template files, see “Obtaining import template files”.
2. Complete these fields:

   Field	Description
   Entity [R]	Specify a name for the entity. The name can contain a maximum of 31 alpha-numeric characters, can contain, but not start with, periods ( . ) and underscores ( _ ), and can be entirely numeric. The name must be unique in the system. Valid entities to edit are symbols assigned to the PShip hierarchy.
   Description	Type a description for the entity. Entity descriptions can contain up to 100 characters.
   Sort Order	Specify a numeric value from 1 and up representing the symbol’s position in the hierarchy relative to its parent. If you set a symbol’s sort order to 0, it falls to the bottom of the list.
   Functional Currency	Specify the functional (native) currency to use for the entity. If you do not specify a functional currency, the default value of the ZGPNativeCurrency attribute is used.

3. When you are finished, save the template as a comma-delimited (.csv) file.

   Note: You can rename the file, but the file prefix must remain the same. For a list of file prefixes, see “Preparing import files for hierarchy structures”.

4. If you are ready to import the data, continue to “Importing and exporting”.

Preparing import files for automation groups

You can use the Entity_Automation_Group_Structure.csv import file to add automation groups to your system.

To prepare an automation group structure import file:

1. Open the Entity_Automation_Group_Structure.csv file in Microsoft Excel. For information on obtaining template files, see “Obtaining import template files”.
2. Complete these fields:

   Field	Description
   Entity [R]	Specify a name for the entity. The name can contain a maximum of 31 alpha-numeric characters, can contain, but not start with, periods ( . ) and underscores ( _ ), and can be entirely numeric. The name must be unique in the system. Valid entities to edit are symbols assigned to the Automation_Groups hierarchy.
   Description	Type a description for the automation group. Descriptions can contain up to 100 characters.
   Sort Order	Specify a numeric value from 1 and up representing the symbol’s position in the hierarchy relative to its parent. If you set a symbol’s sort order to 0, it falls to the bottom of the list.

   Note: All automation groups are created directly under the Automation_Groups root symbol.

3. When you are finished, save the template as a comma-delimited (.csv) file.

   Note: You can rename the file, but the file prefix must remain the same. For a list of file prefixes, see “Preparing import files for hierarchy structures”.

4. If you are ready to import the data, continue to “Importing and exporting”.

Removing entity symbols from a parent using an import file

Tax Provision includes an import file that you can use to detach an entity symbol from its parent symbol.

To remove an entity symbol from its parent using an import file:

1. Open the Entity_RemoveSymbol_Structure.csv file in Microsoft Excel. For information on obtaining template files, see “Obtaining import template files”.
2. Complete these fields:

   Field	Description
   Entity [R]	Specify the name of the entity you want to remove. You can remove any existing entity in the TENTITIES hierarchy or an alternate hierarchy in the Entities dimension.
   Parent	Specify the parent from which to remove the entity. You can specify any existing entity in the TENTITIES hierarchy or alternate hierarchy in the Entities dimension. If the parent is in the TENTITIES hierarchy, the Entity is automatically removed from the Total_Operations and the Jurisdictions hierarchies, if applicable. However, you must remove the entity from the partnerships or branches by reimporting the Partnership_Parameters.csv or Branch_Parameters.csv import file with the updated settings. For more information, see “Preparing import files for partnership owner settings” or “Preparing import files for branch settings”.

Preparing import files for account structures

You can use import files in Tax Provision to import account structures into your new system, or to modify account structures in bulk for an existing system.

Preparing import files for chart of accounts structures

Tax Provision includes an import file that you can use to import chart of accounts structures. For information on common chart of accounts scenarios, see the Longview Tax Administrator’s Guide.

To prepare an import file for chart of accounts structures:

1. Open the ChartOfAccounts_Structure.csv file in Microsoft Excel. For information on obtaining template files, see “Obtaining import template files”.
2. Complete these fields:

   Column	Description
   Account [R]	Specify a name for the account. The name can contain a maximum of 31 alpha-numeric characters, can contain, but not start with, periods ( . ) and underscores ( _ ), and can be entirely numeric. The name must be unique in the system. Valid accounts to edit are symbols assigned to the TRIALBAL hierarchy.
   Description	Specify a description for the symbol. Descriptions can have a maximum of 100 characters.
   Parent	Specify the parent symbol for the account. Parent accounts must appear in the list before any of their children. Valid parents are those assigned to the TRIALBAL hierarchy.
   Rollup	Specify whether the account has positive impact ( + ), negative impact ( - ), or no impact ( 0 ) on its parent. The default is +.
   Sort Order	Specify a numeric value from 1 and up representing the symbol’s position in the hierarchy relative to its parent. If you set a symbol’s sort order to 0, it falls to the bottom of the list.
   Type	Specify one of the following symbol types: Standard—Use this value if the accounts should add up normally. Static—Use this value when it does not make sense to total a hierarchy’s values. If you set the Type to Static, you must set the Rollup to 0. Carry Forward—Use this value for balance sheet and cash flow account symbols.

3. When you are finished, save the template as a comma-delimited (.csv) file.

   Note: You can rename the file, but the file prefix must remain the same. For a list of file prefixes, see “Preparing import files for hierarchy structures”.

4. If you are ready to import the data, continue to “Importing and exporting”.

   Note: If you add chart of accounts symbols that impact NIBT Transfer, Current Tax Automation (Perm/Temp Automation), Deferred Tax Automation, or TARF, you must also open the corresponding editor and click Save to include the new symbols in the list used to trigger the calculation. For more information, see “Importing files”.

Preparing import files for net income before tax account structures

Tax Provision includes an import file that you can use to import net income before tax account structures.

To prepare an import file for NIBT account structures:

1. Open the NIBT_Structure.csv file in Microsoft Excel. For information on obtaining template files, see “Obtaining import template files”.
2. Complete these fields:

   Column	Description
   Account [R]	Specify a name for the account. The name can contain a maximum of 31 alpha-numeric characters, can contain, but not start with, periods ( . ) and underscores ( _ ), and can be entirely numeric. The name must be unique in the system. Valid accounts to edit are symbols assigned to the hierarchy specified for NIBT Account Parent Symbol in the System_Settings.csv import file. The Longview default is NIBTAdj. Note: The NIBT—GAAP Net Income/(Loss) Before Tax symbol name cannot be edited.
   Description	Specify a description for the symbol. Descriptions can have a maximum of 100 characters.
   Parent	Specify the parent symbol for the NIBT account. Parent symbols must appear in the list before any of their children. Valid parents are symbols assigned to the hierarchy specified for NIBT Account Parent Symbol in the System_Settings.csv import file. The Longview default is NIBTAdj. Note: The NIBT—GAAP Net Income/(Loss) Before Tax symbol cannot be selected as a parent symbol.
   Sort Order	Specify a numeric value from 1 and up representing the symbol’s position in the hierarchy relative to its parent. If you set a symbol’s sort order to 0, it falls to the bottom of the list.

3. When you are finished, save the template as a comma-delimited (.csv) file.

   Note: You can rename the file, but the file prefix must remain the same. For a list of file prefixes, see “Preparing import files for hierarchy structures”.

4. If you are ready to import the data, continue to “Importing and exporting”.

Preparing import files for book-tax difference account structures

Tax Provision includes an import file that you can use to import book-tax difference account structures.

To prepare a book-tax difference account structure import file:

1. Open the BookTaxDifferences_Structure.csv file in Microsoft Excel. For information on obtaining template files, see “Obtaining import template files”.
2. Complete these fields:

   Column	Description
   Account [R]	Specify a name for the account. The name can contain a maximum of 31 alpha-numeric characters, can contain, but not start with, periods ( . ) and underscores ( _ ), and can be entirely numeric. The name must be unique in the system. Valid accounts to edit are parent symbols assigned to the PTA_CATEGORIES hierarchy. For difference accounts, one character is reserved for the names of the Calculated and Adjustment system symbols, which are automatically created.
   Description	Specify a description for the difference account. Descriptions can have a maximum of 87 characters. For difference accounts, thirteen characters are reserved for the descriptions of the Calculated and Adjustment system symbols, which are automatically created.
   Parent	Specify the parent symbol for the difference account. Parent symbols must appear in the list before any of their children. Valid parents are GPerm, GEqPerm, GOCIPerm, StPerm, StEqPerm, StOCIPerm, RegPerm, RegEqPerm, RegOCIPerm, GTemp, StTemp, RegTemp, or symbols assigned to the PTA_CATEGORIES hierarchy that are subtotals.
   Type	This setting is required for new difference accounts. You cannot use this field to modify the type of an existing book-tax difference account. Specify the book-tax difference type using one of the following values: Difference—Creates a leaf difference account. Subtotal—Creates a subtotal (parent) difference account.
   Sort Order	Specify a numeric value from 1 and up representing the symbol’s position in the hierarchy relative to its parent. If you set a symbol’s sort order to 0, it falls to the bottom of the list.

3. When you are finished, save the template as a comma-delimited (.csv) file.

   Note: You can rename the file, but the file prefix must remain the same. For a list of file prefixes, see “Preparing import files for hierarchy structures”.

4. If you are ready to import the data, continue to “Importing and exporting”.

   Note: If you add difference symbols that impact TARF, you must also open the Tax Account Rollfoward Data Transfer editor and click Save to include the new symbols in the list used to trigger the calculation. For more information, see “Importing files”.

Preparing import files for tax basis balance sheet account structures

Tax Provision includes an import file that you can use to import tax basis balance sheet account structures.

To prepare an import file for tax basis balance sheet account structures:

1. Open the TaxBasisBS_Structure.csv file in Microsoft Excel. For information on obtaining template files, see “Obtaining import template files”.
2. Complete these fields:

   Column	Description
   Account [R]	Specify a name for the account. The name can contain a maximum of 31 alpha-numeric characters, can contain, but not start with, periods ( . ) and underscores ( _ ), and can be entirely numeric. The name must be unique in the system. Valid accounts to edit are symbols assigned to the TBBalSheet_ASC or TBBalSheet_IAS hierarchy. Valid accounts to assign to the TBBalSheet_ASC or TBBalSheet_IAS are symbols in the TrialBal or the PTA_Categories hierarchy. You can not modify symbols in the TrialBal or the PTA_Categories hierarchy using this file.
   Description	Specify a description for the difference account. Descriptions can have a maximum of 87 characters.
   Parent	Specify the parent symbol for the account. Parent accounts must appear in the list before any of their children. Valid parents are symbols assigned to the TBBalSheet_ASC or TBBalSheet_IAS hierarchy and not assigned to the TrialBal or PTA_Categories hierarchy.
   Sort Order	Specify a numeric value from 1 and up representing the symbol’s position in the hierarchy relative to its parent. If you set a symbol’s sort order to 0, it falls to the bottom of the list.

3. When you are finished, save the template as a comma-delimited (.csv) file.

   Note: You can rename the file, but the file prefix must remain the same. For a list of file prefixes, see “Preparing import files for hierarchy structures”.

4. If you are ready to import the data, continue to “Importing and exporting”.