Tax Form Design Tips

How will your organization manage the printing of tax forms? 

If you currently use ACOM software to print forms, you already have the capability to print your tax forms on a laser printer in your office.

The first step is to design the tax form (i.e., W2 form, 1099 form) as well as produce the corresponding spool file.  To design your tax form, it is best to utilize ACOM’s EZDesigner/400.  This is a graphical user interface (GUI), PC-based tool that simplifies the form design process.  Once the form design is completed, you simply upload your form overlay to your System i (iSeries/AS/400).  From there, you merge the tax form with your spool file. 

When designing a tax form, there are requirements to consider.

1. Will you be filing the federal copy electronically?  If not, then the federal copy has to print in red, OCR scannable ink.
2. Will you be using tax form paper that is blank on the front with pre-printed instructions on the back?  If not, then this requires the set of instructions that prints on the backside of the tax form to be treated as a backside form, and a laser printer that can print in duplex mode will be needed.

If you printed tax forms using ACOM software last year (2005), you already have the tax form(s) created.  You can utilize the same tax form this year.  However, you will need to modify the existing forms to adhere to the IRS specifications for 2006.  When modifying an existing tax form, here are important elements to consider.

1. Change the year that prints on the form from “2005” to “2006.”
2. Check the IRS website to find out if any verbiage or boxes on the form have been changed.  If there are changes/additions, these changes/additions have to be reflected in your existing tax form(s).

Don’t delay, the deadlines are quickly approaching.

For more information please visit:
http://www.acom.com/iseries/ez_tax_forms.html

If you would wish to enlist the services of ACOM to design a tax form for you, or modify an existing one, please contact us today:

• Call (800) 603-6768 ext. 100
• eMail info400@acom.com

By M. Jones