Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up!

In this issue:

• 2012 Software Releases
• Schedule D Changes
• IRS 1099-INT Printing Error
• Tips for Ordering Online
• Prior Year Tax Forms
• Have you updated your license code for 2011 Payroll System?
• Tax Season Humor

2012 Software Releases
The following 2012 CFS programs have been released:

• 941/940 Payroll System
• LivePayroll
• Quick Reference Guide
• Small Business Tools
• Tax Corresponder
• TaxTools
• W4 Calculator

If you paid for shipping to receive your software by mail, you will receive a CD containing the above programs. If not-or if you don't wish to wait for your CD-you can install the programs immediately by downloading them from our web site:

1. At our website, click on Download Software.

2. Enter your customer ID and zip code, then click the "Go to download page" button.

3. Download and install your software, following the instructions at the top of the page. Note the yellow box beneath the instructions, which contains your license code(s). You can copy the license code from here and paste it into the program when you install it.

Schedule D Changes
As you are no doubt aware, taxpayers must now report capital gain and loss transactions on the new Form 8949. Our 2011 Schedule D Tools program has been updated to support Form 8949. We have also added a function to allow users to export Form 8949 data to a CSV file, which may then be imported into some tax preparation programs.

If you are a Schedule D Tools user, make sure you have updated to the latest version by using the "Update from the Web" option within the program or by manually downloading the update from our website. Once you have downloaded and installed the update, be sure to familiarize yourself with changes in the program by consulting the Help file.

Information on the new Schedule D and Form 8949 filing requirements may be found in the 2011 Instructions for Schedule D (and Form 8949).

IRS 1099-INT Printing Error
We have received a number of calls from customers unable to align 2011 1099-INT Copy A forms with our Payroll System software. The forms in question were not provided by us, but come from the IRS. They can be identified by the IRS catalog number (14410K) at the bottom center of each form.

We have confirmed with the IRS that their forms were not printed according to the correct specifications. The IRS has informed us that they will accept the forms. However, you will have to handwrite or type the data manually into each form. The forms are not merely off center; the scale has been reduced, making it impossible to align them with our software-or any software that has been programmed to IRS specifications.

OR, you can order your 1099-INT Copy A forms from us. Our forms are made according to IRS specifications, and will work with CFS Payroll System, as well as other payroll software. Click here to order from our online store.

AND, if you renew W2/1099 Payroll System 2012 before May 31st, you will receive a free starter kit containing an assortment of our 2012 red forms, as well as blank perforated stock and envelopes for recipient/employee 1099s and W2s!

Tips for Ordering Online
Our online store is the easiest and most efficient way of ordering software, forms, and supplies from CFS. Here are a few tips to ensure that your online orders go smoothly:

1. Use your MyCFS account. You don't need a MyCFS account to order at our online store; it's possible to order as a "guest." However, doing so increases the chance for error and slows your order down. If you have a MyCFS account, use it. If you don't have an account, it's easy to create one.

2. Order tax forms for the current tax year. Our online store is the most efficient way to order your tax forms, as long as you are ordering forms for the current tax year (2011). (It is possible to order prior year forms by fax. See Prior Year Tax Forms, below.)

3. Unless absolutely necessary, don't add Special Instructions. On the "Payment Information" screen, there is a field for "Special Instructions." If you put a note in this field, your order will automatically be placed on hold, because someone has to read your note before the order can be processed. For instance, if you add a note that says, "Please rush," ironically, your order will take longer.

4. Enter the expiration date for your credit card in the correct format (MM/YY). A leading zero is required for single-digit months.

Prior Year Tax Forms
CFS has a limited stock of prior year forms as far back as 1994. To order forms from a prior tax year, download a forms order sheet from our website, fill it out, and fax it to us at 805-522-0187. Make sure you indicate on the order sheet what year forms you are ordering. If you are ordering forms for more than one year, fill out a separate order sheet for each year.

Have you updated your license code for 2011 Payroll System?
This time of year, we always receive calls from frustrated W2/1099 Payroll System users who cannot access the program, simply because they have not updated their license code. Remember-your license code is based on your firm name, address, and the programs you have purchased. If, like many of our customers, you purchased W2/1099 Payroll System at the end of the year, months after you purchased your other CFS programs, the license code you received when you purchased those other programs will not work for W2/1099 Payroll System. You must use the new license code you received when you purchased W2/1099 Payroll System.

You can look up your license code online using your MyCFS account. It is also displayed beneath the instructions when you download software from our Download CFS Software page.

Tax Season Humor
A visitor from Holland was chatting with his American friend and was jokingly explaining about the red, white and blue in the Netherlands flag. "Our flag symbolizes our taxes," he said. "We get red when we talk about them, white when we get our tax bill, and blue after we pay them."

"It's the same with us," the American said, "only we see stars, too."

Happy New Year and Tax Season!

CFS Customer Service

	CA Sales Tax Preparer '11 & '12. . . . $119
	NY Sales Tax Preparer '11 & '12. . . . $169
	Financial Planning Tools '11 & '12 . . $550

Please contact us if you would like to discontinue this free monthly service.