EG Systems, Inc. — The W-2/1099 Filer

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From the Oct. 2007 Review of W-2/1099 Systems

The W-2/1099 Filer program from EG Systems is a network-ready year-end information reporting system that offers compliance and filing tools for all versions of forms 1099 and 1098, plus W-2, W-3, 940, 941, 943, 1043 and 5498. The program can manage any number of client “payer” companies and recipients, and can print to laser, inkjet or dot-matrix printers onto plain or pre-printed paper, mailing labels and envelopes. It includes unlimited electronic and magnetic media filing for IRS and SSA and all states that accept the MMREF-1 format. The system offers import from accounting programs and also comes with a net payroll calculator tool and an audit trail. The core module of The W-2/1099 Filer costs $99 for a network-capable version that can be used by any number of preparers. Additional modules are necessary for laser printing information returns ($35); laser printing payroll forms 940, 941 and 943 ($5 each); the QuickBooks import utility ($35); and the PDF import utility ($50). Electronic and magnetic media filing are included in the base package.

Usability/Navigation – 5 Stars
The program’s interface allows customization of colors, background and toolbars, and provides small icons and navigation menus across the top of the screen. The most likely starting points for program use are the Payer and Recipient selection lists, which have the two most prominent icons on the screen. Each provides a sortable and searchable spreadsheet list of entities, which, when selected, brings up the information window for either the payer or recipient. Within these basic data screens, users can select the type of payer/employer, states associated with the entity, and general contact information.

Each of the information windows also provides a menu tree of forms on the left that allows the user to search for existing forms of a specific type (W-2, 1099-Misc, 1098, etc.), with items displayed in a spreadsheet list that allows the user to access or edit a form, or to create a new one with the information for that entity automatically populated. For instance, if creating a 1099-Int from a client payer file, company name, address and EIN are automatically entered. The user can either enter recipient data manually (for new recipients) or, if the recipient is already in the system as a recipient of another form, the user can select that person from a built-in selection list. This then automatically fills out the name, TIN and other information for that recipient. Likewise, new forms started from within a recipient record offer identical auto-fill features, leaving only the entry of financial information, which takes place on screens that are generally replicas of the actual forms. Users can also start forms from a small menu in the interface’s toolbar or users can view a menu tree of all forms already created. With multiple methods of navigation and access to various form types and records, The W-2/1099 Filer is exceptionally user friendly.

The program automatically performs calculations, which the user can override if he or she has appropriate security access. An audit trail is also provided, tracking changes to forms and entity information. In addition to payroll reporting tools and forms, The W-2/1099 Filer also includes a net-to-gross payroll calculator.

Reporting & Import/Export Capabilities – 5 Stars
In addition to summary, edit and proforma reports, The W-2/1099 Filer includes an audit trail report and can print forms, returns and transmittals to laser, inkjet or dot-matrix devices, and onto blank or pre-printed paper. The system also enables printing of recipient mailing labels and printing to envelopes. Import utilities are available to transfer data from QuickBooks and AccountMate into The W-2/1099 Filer, and the system can also import ASCII and dBase files. New for 2007 is a PDF import tool and the ability to e-mail PDF versions of W-2s. The
W-2/1099 Filer also integrates with the after-the-fact payroll system offered by EG Systems.

Support for Paperless Transmission – 5 Stars
Unlimited electronic and magnetic media filing is included with The W-2/1099 Filer. The system automatically generates the necessary file formats to comply with SSA, IRS and state requirements.