Thanks for providing this info. You raise some important points. It seems obvious to me from this response that DOR does not understand your question. Or maybe I don't. I don't think you are customizing the Office software in the sense of writing add-ins or changing the code of this software. You are using it as a tool for creating custom reports and databases. You cannot do any form of custom software "programming" without using tools. Whether these are low-level 3rd generation languages like Basic or C++, or more sophistaicated DB tools like Access, seems irrelevant to me. However, I think the only way to really clarify this is to have an actual phone conversation with them rather than emailing back and forth. This will allow you to explain what you are doing in more detail than is possible in an email. If you don't plan to do this, I think I will. Please let me know. Thanks, Reva Reva Reck Reva at RevaReck.com -----Original Message----- From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net [mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Don Lesser Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2013 4:08 PM To: 'hidden-discuss' Subject: [Hidden-tech] FW: IT Sales Tax - Response from DOR ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area. ** If you did, we all thank you.