Re: Need 2003 W-2 laser form bitmap for overlay

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

Using MS Word was never a requirement, but just the only way anyone knew
how to do it (going back several years, perhaps before the newer, easier
methods were available?)

Mary Jo, this has been a real learning experience for me.  Although I am
not an IRS rep or other qualified tax preparer, in general the gist of
what I learned about official W-2 forms is this:  If your company
electronically transmits W-2 info to the IRS (a requirement nowadays for
all employers with a minimum number of employees {50?}), it is not forced
to use the special pre-printed forms with the special ink, but rather they
can (and most do) use any other form, including laser-printed overlays.  
Apparently, when the IRS gets a paper return with a W-2 that is not on
their pre-printed form, it gets detached and deposited into "file 13". 
Don't ask me where this name for a trashcan comes from - it *may* be an
IRS thing.  ;-)  I know, the next legitimate question becomes, "so why do
we continue to send the laser W-2's?"  The simple answer, because the IRS
says so.

GA

--- Mary Jo Whitcomb <mjwhit@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I'm curious.  The IRS site states that a W-2 needs to be printed on
> special
> paper and with special ink.  If a person is filing their income tax
> manually, instead of electronically, the instructions for the 1040 for
> 2003
> still say to attach the W-2's to the form.  Assuming that the "special"
> ink
> is magnetic, I know that it is readily available, but is the paper?
> Mary Jo



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