Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
No one likes tax time -- not even paid tax preparers. They view tax season the way retailers view the holiday season; something to survive in order to thrive. Yet it's even worse for employers, who must not only do their own taxes but also prepare W-2s for each and every employee. Real Business Solutions has a solution for real businesses: W2 Mate 2012. Simply put, it can import, prepare, and file W-2, W-3, 1099, 1098, and related tax forms. Better yet, it saves you money by laser-printing your own government-approved substitute forms on blank paper. It prints individual mailing labels for W-2 and 1099 recipients, too. W2 Mate imports tax data from financial tools like QuickBooks, creates PDF-based forms, supports e-filing, rolls over data, and exports data to Excel. Recent updates include support for changes in 2012 filing and compatibility with Windows 8. W2 Mate 2012 is free to try for 30 days with a watermark on output.
W2 Mate's interface is attractive as tax tools go, borrowing stylistic elements from Web browsers and MS Office for a clean, up-to-date look anchored by a Shortcuts sidebar linking to forms, company data, employees, and more. Crisply rendered forms give a high-quality look and feel, too, an impression reinforced by the copious assistance W2 Mate offers. For instance, clicking the IRS & SSA Instructions menu on the toolbar showed instructions, contacts, Web links, and more, while the Tools menu let us roll over data, update employee data, back up and restore company data, configure options, and enable optional features. We started by entering company data, though we could also import (and export) data to and from a variety of programs. We didn't have any government-supplied forms on hand, but forms printed on plain paper with our basic black-and-white laser printer looked like they'd been printed professionally.
We've seen plenty of tax and business software, and W2 Mate 2012 stands out, even among the best. It produces top-quality forms with explanations, notes, and instructions when they're needed. The comprehensive software costs only $39, a bargain compared to CPA rates.
Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of W2 Mate 2012 9.0.35.
Publisher's Description
From Real Business Solutions:
W2 Mate 2012 is a software for filing tax forms W2, 1099-MISC, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-R, W-3, 1096, 1099-S, 1098-T, 1098, 1099-A, 1099-B, 1099-C, 1099-PATR and 1099-OID . W2 Mate supports printing both on government pre-printed forms and on blank paper. Just enter your data, verify it, and print all your forms. W2 Mate also eliminates the need for buying W2 Forms (Copy A) and W3 by printing government-approved laser substitutes for these forms on plain white paper. Automatically calculates totals for 1096 and W3.Meets IRS and Social Security regulations. Supports electronic W2 Filing (W2 EFile) through SSA Business Services Online and 1099 E-File through IRS FIRE (requires W2 Mate Option #4).Exports W2 and 1099 data (employer, employee, payer and recipient information) to Excel format. Data rollover from previous tax years. Generates printing labels for employees and 1099 recipients. Imports W2 and 1099 data from QuickBooks,Sage Peachtree, Sage DacEasy, MS Dynamics, CSV format and from other accounting software like MAS 90 / 200 (requires W2 Mate Option #3). W2 Mate software saves money by allowing users to print tax forms on white paper instead of the red-ink forms and to create PDF w2s and PDF 1099s (requires W2 Mate Option #6), which eliminates mailing tax forms altogether. This W2 1099 software can be used by small businesses, accounting firms, CPAs, Bookkeepers, banks and other types of businesses. 2011 version includes support for 2011 W-2, 2011 1099-MISC, 2011 1099-INT, 2011 1099-DIV and 2011 1099-R. Ability to import W2 and 1099 forms data from EFW2 EFile format and from IRS 1099 Electronic Filing Format (Publication 1220 Format).
What's new in this version: Version 9.0.35 has provided some unspecified updates and bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.2 starsout of 34 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"Very easy to install and use."
Version: W2 Mate 2012 8.0.46
Pros
Installation was a breeze.
Adding new companies was simple.
Adding W2 and 1099 information was quick.
Printing was no problem.
Forms look very professional.Cons
Instead of checking the box that certain recipients were excluded from the job, I just deleted them, which was easy to do.
Summary
It was a less stressed January that I have had in 8 years of doing the forms. All of us here at the office is very happy with the product.
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"Terrible description of product on website"
Version: W2 Mate 2012 8.0.46
Pros
Easy to download
Cons
I bought it to quickly generate my 1098 forms and quickly found out that I have to have an add on product, which I can't purchase now that I've already bought the original download. I am very unhappy and have requested a refund.
Summary
The company PROMPTLY responded to my email and refunded my money. Nice job. Thanks!
Updated on Feb 1, 2012 -
"Love this program"
Version: W2 Mate 2012 8.0.46
Pros
I live in a very rural area and the process of getting the software as a download worked well.
Used to create 1099 patronage forms for 2011.Cons
Backup restore works for one company at a time
Summary
Easy to use, good results.
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"misleading advertising"
Version: W2 Mate 2012 8.0.42
Pros
performs admirably in doing W-2s & W-3s
Cons
This piece of software, while has the ability to print on plain paper using a laser, cannot print 1099s (copy a and/or transmittal forms)
No disclaimer, overt misleading the consumer that this software can perform this function.Summary
if you have 1099s to, this publisher admits that the IRS prohibits any thing other than using the pre-printed red line forms. It is only after you get into their program that you find out that this is true.
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"Great product and great service"
Version: W2 Mate 2012 7.0.35
Pros
Amazingly easy. Was on Google, searched for print 1099 software, came across this page, downloaded the software and printed my first form in 10 minutes.
Cons
The software on download.com was not the most up to date version.
Summary
Used to do some old 1099s for one of my customers. I will order for this tax season too.
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"Garbage Product & Even Worse Service"
Version: W2 Mate 2012 7.0.30
Pros
At least they responded telling me to go take a hike when asking for a refund
Cons
Will take money 24/7 but no service or return call in a reasonable time. Confusing product description. Business ethics that make Bernie Madoff look good. Run as fast as you can from any product these people offer. You'll be glad.
Summary
Bought this to get a single time sensitive filing done. Turns out you've got to spend more than $40 if you actually want to print it out.
$65 to print out one form, no thanks. So, I called the "service" line and got voicemail. No return call.
Sent an email saying the product didn't help me and was unused (how can I use it if the forms aren't printable??) and I'd like a refund.
Well, they did respond by email and said that I could have the $25 option free as a package deal. A little late as I ultimately found a free pdf program that would do just what was needed.
Their response? Show us what you bought and paid for and we'll contemplate considering maybe giving you a refund.
Really, that's how you treat customers? Did a PayPal 'not as described' and they fought that one too & I couldn't send info back in time to prove they didn't provide what was offered in a reasonable or useful fashion.
Never had to do anything like this before in my life. Vendors usually value good relations and their reputations more than a lousy $40 they didn't earn. But these guys are different.
If they can sleep well at night then bless them. I hope my twin boys never grow up to behave like this. Even at 8 they know how to act better. Shame on them. -
"CRAPPY DO NOT BUY"
Version: W2 Mate 2012 7.0.30
Pros
NONE WHAT SO EVER
Cons
at least it is free and i didnt waste 1 dollar on this product
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"good product"
Version: W2 Mate 2012 7.0.30
Pros
does both w2 and 1099
Cons
backs up company data one at a time, can't backup all companies at once
Summary
good product, with some tweaks can become a great product
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"So so software; nickle & dime charges for every feature"
Version: W2 Mate 2012 7.0.25
Pros
Creates the forms it says it does
Cons
Want to print a plain paper copy? $25 extra. Want a PDF? Another $25. Oh, you also wanted to do 1099s? $25. Have to exit and restart for each new payer. Have to restart the process for each new EE (i.e., no 'save and go to next employee' feature).
Summary
Big time disappointment. IMO the software (with all the options) might be worth the base price but the ticky-tack added fees for each option is just ridiculous. I'm chalking up the $39 I spent to do one client as the price of a lesson learned and moving on to finding something else.
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"Good stuff"
Version: W2 Mate 2012 6.0.39
Pros
Idiotproof
Cons
Would like it to be free
Summary
It is really very very easy to use. prints professional W2s and 1099s
