Things to be aware of
1. Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN's)
2. On-line context-sensitive help is available in the form of tips. Simply place your mouse pointer on a field or object and right click on it. A menu will appear. Left click on the phrase "What's This" for help to appear. Popup help may be available by letting the cursor hang on top of a field. The Help System is also available by pressing the F1 key.
3. The program is displayed best when your video resolution is set to at least 800 x 600. You will be able to run the program in 640 x 480 mode; however, some of the screens will take up most of the monitor and you may have to use the vertical and horizontal scroll bars to adjust the forms.
4. The Windows program is fully multi-tasking (actually called multi-threading). You can start up multiple instances of each form and payors being accessed. You can literally be working with 10 payors at a time and accessing different forms for each payor. The program is network ready and can be accessed simultaneously by multiple users.
5. Each time you access a form the program checks the associated index file to see that it is valid. If it is invalid, you will be notified by a message. Simply select OK to rebuild the index file.
6. IRS/SSA follows up on every form filed that has no taxpayer ID number on it. It is your responsibility to obtain this number. If you cannot, then you are required to deduct backup withholding.
7. Table lookups are used as much as possible throughout the program. If a table lookup is available, there will be a magnifying glass icon to the right of it. You can select the icon with the mouse, or press the F2 key, which is the standard lookup key. If an invalid entry is entered into a field, the lookup table will popup automatically.
8. Shortcut keystrokes - The program utilizes Alt-key, Control-key combinations by themselves or in conjunction with the Shift-key as shortcuts to various functions. They are initiated by holding down either the Alt or Control key (and Shift key if applicable) and pressing the associated key. For example, to do an Alt-U keystroke, hold down the Alt key and press the letter "U" once. Then let go of the Alt key.
9. The toolbar at the top of the program window allows 1-click access to various functions. In addition to showing the location of where your data resides, you can click on the icons to access the following:
Payor name and address table
Employee/recipient name and address table
Popular forms (W-2, 1099-misc, 1099-int, 1099-div, etc)
Tree entry method
Laser engine printing and preprinted form printing
10. All forms allow input of numbers as large as $9,999,999.99. Since there is only a limited amount of space available on forms there is a possibility, when very large numbers are used, that some subtotal and final totals may be left truncated. This will happen when the totals exceed $ 9,999,999.99. Please contact us if this situation applies to you.
11. Duplicate forms can be entered. They may be done for purposes such as entering additional information belonging to the same taxpayer in Box 13/14 or additional withholdings when there are more than 2 states and localities.
12. The Owner registration information refers to YOUR Company's information (ID#, name, address). This information may be used as a default magnetic media transmitter if you are performing this service for your clients (recommended).
13. Data may be kept in different drives and/or subdirectories.