EGP Business Solutions

We are enhancing business operations in a big way

Business Checks IRS Approved Tax Forms Business Envelopes Business Forms

irs tax forms

About Tax Forms Software

IRS Approved

How Tax Preparation Software is Approved for Electronic Filing

The IRS requires all tax preparation software used for preparing electronic returns to pass the requirements for Modernized e-File Assurance Testing (ATS) as briefly explained below:

  • The IRS issues a Publication 4162 that includes a series of test tax returns and Software vendors notify IRS they plan to test and provide a list of forms they plan to include in their tax preparation software.  Note: IRS does not require software vendors to support all forms.  They are allowed to develop their tax preparation software based on the needs of their clients.
  • Software vendors use the test tax returns to create test returns and format in the specified Extensible Markup Language (XML) format.
  • The software vendor transmits the XML formatted test tax returns to IRS.
  • An IRS tax examiner checks every data entry field on the return. 
  • These checks ensure tax calculations on the test return matches the answers provided by IRS on the test returns.
  • These checks also ensure the software correctly formats the test tax return data in XML format and the data can be successfully transmitted to, received and the tax return viewed by IRS.
  • When the IRS determines the software correctly performs all required functions it is approved for electronic filing.
  • Software vendors are allowed to market their tax preparation software as approved for electronic filing to corporations and/or tax professionals after the approval from IRS is received.

NOTE: The test returns issued by IRS do not include all forms or schedules that can be part of an actual return.

Tax Form Resource Guide Book

 Q: Do Laser Link and TFP generate the W-2 Federal Copy A and the W3?
A: No. Laser Link and TFP do not generate the Federal Copy A or the W3. You must use the preprinted red scannable copies.
 Q: What is the difference between 1099 forms and W-2 forms?
A:

  • 1099-MISC forms are used to report interest payments of $600 or more, such as rent, royalties, prizes, awards, fishing boat proceeds, etc.
  • 1099-INT is used to report interest payments of $10 or more to any one person by banks, credit unions, etc. It does not include the interest paid on an IRA.
  • 1099-R forms report all distributions from pensions, annuities, retirement funds or profit sharing plans.
  • 1099-S forms report gross earnings for the sale of real estate.
  • 1099-G forms report unemployment compensation, state and local income tax refunds, agricultural payments and taxable grants. There are other 1099 forms to report specific interest payments.
  • W-2 forms are used to report wages.
  • 1098 forms report interest on mortgages.
  • Transmittal forms are also called Summary forms. One Summary form must be included with each grouped order of W-2s a company files.
  • W-3s are the Summary forms for W-2s.
  • 1096s are the Summary forms for 1099s.
  • If it is necessary to correct a W-3, use a W-2C and a W-3C form.
  • New year W-4 forms are available in December of each year.

 Q: What forms are supported by TFP?
A: The following forms are supported by TFP.



Form Laser Form Description Laser Item Number
W-2 2 Forms to a Page Red Federal Copy A 82620
  Employee Copy B 82617
  Employee Copy C or 2 82618
  Employer Copy D or 1 82616
  4-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82631
  6-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82632
  8-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82633
W-3 Form to a Page W3 Federal Transmittal 82630
1099-DIV 2 Forms to a Page> Red Federal Copy A 82652
  Copy B Recipients Copy 82653
  Copy C Payer's Copy or Payer's State 82654
  4-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Package Set 82644
1099-INT 3 Forms to a page Red Federal Copy A 82649
  Copy B Recipients Copy 82650
  Copy C Payer's Copy or Payer's State 82651
  4-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82643
1099-MISC 2 Forms to a Page Red Federal Copy A 82626
  Copy B Recipients Copy or Recipients State Copy 82627
82625
  Copy C Payer's Copy or Payer's State 82624
  3-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82610
  4-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82634
  5-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82655
1099-S 3 Forms to a Page Red Federal Copy A 82953
  Copy B Transferor Copy 82954
  Filers Copy C or Filer's State 82955
1096 1 Form to a page 5100 82629

 Q: What forms are supported by Laser Link?
A: The following forms are supported by Laser Link.



Form Description Item Number
W-2 Formats Red Federal Copy A 82620
  Employee Copy B 82617
  Employee Copy C or 2 82618
  Employer Copy D or 1 82616
  Laser 4-up Version 1 82635
  4-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82631
  6-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82632
  8-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82633
W3 W3 Federal Transmittal 82630
W2G 3-up Blank Form 82622
1099 B Red Federal Copy A 82661
  Copy B Recipients Copy 82660
  Copy C Payer's Copy or Payer's State 82663
1099 DIV Red Federal Copy A 82652
  Copy B Recipients Copy 82653
  Copy C Payer's Copy or Payer's State 82654
  4-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Package Set 82644
1099 INT Red Federal Copy A 82649
  Copy B Recipients Copy 82650
  Copy C Payer's Copy or Payer's State 82651
  Blank 3-up Form 82622
  4-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82643
1099 MISC Red Federal Copy A 82626
  Copy B Recipients Copy or Recipients State Copy 82625
  Copy C Payer's Copy or Payer's State 82624
  3-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82610
  4-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82634
  5-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82655
1099 PATR Blank 3-up Form 82622
  4-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82645
  6-Part Pre-Printed Pre-Packaged Set 82647
1099 S Red Federal Copy A 82953
  Copy B Transferor Copy 82954
  Filers Copy C or Filer's State 82955
  Blank 3-up Form 82622
1098 Red Federal Copy A 82657
  Payer/Borrower Copy B 82658
  Recipient/Lender and/or State Copy C 82659
  Blank 3-up Form 82622
1098 T Red Federal Copy A 82961
  Student Copy B 82962
  Filer and/or State Copy C 82963
  Blank 3-up Form 82622
1096 1096 Federal Transmittal 82629

 Q: When will I receive my TFP or Laser Link software?
A: Typically, TFP and Laser Link software ship at the end of September.

 Q: Is there a support line?
A: TPF and Laser Link support may be reached by phone at 1-866-483-8131 or via e-mail at support@custsupp.com

 Q: What are the product numbers for the blank perforated paper?
A: 82664 is the product number for the two-to-a-page blank perforated paper that is used for the two-to-a-page (traditional format) W2 and 1099 Miscellaneous.

 Q: What are the differences between the software?
A: TFP Software allows users to print W2s and 1099s on continuous or laser preprinted forms.

Laser Link Software allows users to print W2s and 1099s on laser blank perforated paper and/or preprinted forms. If you are going to generate the entire format using a laser printer, use blank perforated paper. Laser Link also allows users to electronically file their W-2 and 1099 forms with the IRS/SSA.

 Q: Do I need to purchase the preprinted copy Federal A on the blank perforated paper?
A: You are still required to use the red scannable preprinted Copy A, as either software cannot generate these copies. You must purchase any Federal copy A?s necessary when purchasing 1099s or W2s. You will also need the red scannable preprinted 1096 or W3.

 Q: Can TFP generate laser forms?
A: No. TFP software only supports preprinted forms. Laser forms can be generating using Laser Link software.

 Q: Why am I having difficulty printing the 1099 Federal Copy A?
A: The 1099 Federal copy A CANNOT be laser generated. The IRS still requires 1099 Federal copy A's to be printed on the red scannable preprinted Federal tax forms, as well as the 1096. You need to purchase these tax forms.

 Q: Can I transfer the data from my current program into TFP or Laser Link?
A: If you used TFP or Laser Link last year, you will be able to rollover your files into the 2005 software. If you did not use TFP or Laser Link last year, you will need to manually enter your information.

 Q: Once my information is in TFP or Laser Link, do I have to retype the information for next year?
A: No. You will be able to import previous year data when you install the program update.

 Q: Why are the State or City Wages doubled on the W-3?
A: The W-3 instructions state: "If the Forms W-2 show amounts from more than one state or locality, report them as one sum in the appropriate box on Form W-3." Although the IRS does not use these fields, TFP and Laser Link calculates this value as specified by the IRS. This can lead to incorrect calculations if you have Payees with multiple states or localities. For example, if a Payee has 2 localities to report on their W-2 and made $10,000, the form will show $10,000 for Locality or City (1) and $10,000 for Locality or City (2). When this amount is reported on the W-3, the values are added together and reported as $20,000. To correct the calculation, print your W-2's. Go back to the W-2 Form, remove one of the states or cities, and print your W-3. When the W-3 prints correctly, go back and add the state or city.

 Q: I'm having installation problems, what should I do?
A: For installation problems, please contact (866) 483-8131 or e-mail support@custsupp.com.

 Q: How do I electronically file my W-2 and 1099 data?
A: Laser Link allows you to file electronically, following the SSA Online Wage Reporting Service requirements for filing. To use Laser Link to file online you will need the following:

  • Internet access
  • A Windows-based personal computer
  • Windows 98, NT, 2000, ME, XP, Vista, Windows 7 or higher
  • Any of the following web browsers:
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher with 128-bit encryption
  • Netscape Navigator 4.08,4.79, or 6.2 with 128-bit encryption

W2 - Blank Forms - 1098-1099 - Envelopes - Software - Misc Forms - Wage Forms - Pressure Seal