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In this issue:

• 2013 Software Releases
• Release Dates for Financial Planning Tools and Schedule D Tools
• Tips for Ordering Online
• Five Fill-N-Print Myths Busted
• Information Return Deadlines

2013 Software Releases
Most 2013 CFS programs have now been released. (For two exceptions, see Release Dates for Financial Planning Tools and Schedule D Tools, below.) If you purchased your software on CD, you should have already received a CD containing initial releases of the 2013 programs. If not, downloading your programs from our web site is as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Go to www.taxtools.com and select Download Software from the Downloads menu.

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 license code from here and paste it into the program when you install it.

Release Dates for Financial Planning Tools and Schedule D Tools
Financial Planning Tools and Schedule D Tools sometimes cause confusion because, unlike most of our other programs, they are not released at the beginning of the calendar year. Financial Planning Tools is released in mid-March, and Schedule D Tools is generally released the first week of May. Also, both of these programs are licensed for one year and will expire unless they are renewed. It is important to keep these facts in mind when ordering, so that you order the version of the program that you need.

Remember...

• Financial Planning Tools 2013 will be released in March 2013. Unless renewed, the program will cease to function after May 31, 2014.

• Schedule D Tools 2013 will be released in May 2013. It will allow you to enter transactions through June 30th of 2014 and generate reports for 2013 and previous tax years. A Realized Gains Report can be printed for the first six months of 2014.

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 may slow your order down and prevent you from earning or redeeming renewal discounts. 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 (2012). (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.

Five Fill-N-Print Myths Busted
If you are a Fill-N-Print user, you know that the CD version of the program was discontinued this year. Some Fill-N-Print users have been reluctant to switch to the online version. We believe that much of their reluctance may be traced to five "myths" about the way the program works, which we would now like to take the opportunity of "busting":

1. Myth: "Fill-N-Print Online is a web-based application, similar to Hotmail or Gmail."
   Busted: The program and forms are downloaded from the Internet, but the program is installed on your computer's (or network server's, if you have the network version) hard drive, and any forms you download are saved to the hard drive as well.

2. Myth: "I can't use Fill-N-Print Online without an Internet connection."
   Busted: Fill-N-Print Online has an "offline mode." Once you have downloaded the forms you need, you can use it without an Internet connection.

3. Myth: "With Fill-N-Print Online, my clients' sensitive personal data will be stored on the Internet, exposing them to the risk of identity theft."
   Busted: All saved forms and client data are stored on your computer's (or network server's, if you have the network version) hard drive, not on the Internet.

4. Myth: "I'll lose access to my forms after the year is over."
   Busted: Fill-N-Print Online allows access to the previous five years of forms.

5. Myth: "Fill-N-Print Online is completely different from the CD version. I don't want to have to take the time to learn a new program."
   Busted: The truth is, Fill-N-Print Online looks and functions almost exactly the same as the CD version. The only difference is that the program and forms are installed from the Internet, rather than from a CD.

For more information or to order Fill-N-Print, click here.

Information Return Deadlines
As you probably know, the deadline for filing information returns by mail to Social Security and the IRS is the end of this month. However, did you know that you have until the end of March to e-file your W-2s and 1099s? In fact, because March 31 falls on a Sunday, this year's deadline for e-filing information returns is April 1.

You can save time-as well as paper, ink, and postage-by e-filing your W-2s and 1099s with W-2/1099 Payroll System plus the E-file Add-on. The E-file Add-on allows you to quickly and easily submit data from W2/1099 Payroll System to Social Security, the IRS, and many participating states, via the Internet.

If you have already purchased W2/1099 Payroll System and the E-file Add-on and you need assistance with e-filing, see the instructional videos, How to eFile 1099s and How to eFile W2s, posted on our Instructional Videos page.

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