Tax Forms and eFiling

STO 11-O | June 16, 2011

Main page

When you install 9.7.0 Update 5 or later, you have the option to electronically file (eFile) quarterly tax forms such as Form 941 as well as year-end forms such as W-2s, 1099s, and Canadian T4s and T5018s. Through our partnership with Aatrix Software, a leading provider of online filing for payroll and other tax forms, you can generate, edit, and file your state and federal forms from within Payroll, Accounts Payable, and Property Management.

Once you have generated your forms in Aatrix, you can select to print and mail them yourself, electronically file, or have Aatrix print and mail them for you.

Note: 9.7.0 Accounting Update 8 extends the Aatrix software expiration date. If you have not installed 9.7.0 Accounting Update 6 or later and you plan to print or eFile using any of the eFiling tasks, you should install Update 8. You will not be able to print or eFile Canadian or U.S. tax forms after September 30, 2011 if you have not installed Update 6 or later.

Learn more about Aatrix.

Things to Know Before You Begin

• Electronic filing can take up to two days, so schedule accordingly.
  
  
• eFiling tasks are secured. Rights to these new tasks can be granted through the Sage Timberline Office Security Administrator.
  
  
• You can complete an Aatrix enrollment form now or after you complete your processing. You will not be able to eFile until you have enrolled with Aatrix. U.S. customers visit https://efile.aatrix.com/ to set up an account. Canadian customers visit https://efileca.aatrix.com/DefaultCanada.aspx.
  
  
• You may need to manually adjust some settings in third-party firewalls to ensure you receive the Aatrix form updates. For additional information, refer to Knowledgebase article KB1377: How do I configure my Firewall or Proxy Server so I can download and install eFile and Reporting Updates?
  
  
• If you are using a third party firewall you must allow access to the following ports:
  • The Tax forms and eFiling Updater uses standard SSL/HTTP port 80 to access the site http://updates.aatrix.com.
  • The eFiling component uses secure HTTPS on port 443 to access the site https://efile.aatrix.com.
  
  
• You can save reports in progress, then come back to work on them at any time.
  
  
• Modifications you make to forms and information in Sage Timberline Office are reflected in Aatrix forms.
  
  
• Changes you make to reports and data in Aatrix are not written back to Sage Timberline Office.
  

Getting Started

The Tax Forms and eFiling tasks are secured, and rights to these are granted through the Security Administration tool.

1. On each workstation where you perform quarterly or year-end updates, open the appropriate eFiling task:
   
   
   • Payroll: Tasks > Federal Reporting > Federal eFile and Reporting
     Select Form 941, W-2s, T4s, or other forms.
   • Payroll: Tasks > Quarterly Reporting > State eFile and Reporting
     
     
   • Accounts Payable: Tasks > Government eFile and Reporting > Form 1099 (USA)
   • Accounts Payable: Tasks > Government eFile and Reporting > Form T5018 (CAN)
     
     
   • Property Management: Tasks > eFile Form 1099
     
     
2. You will receive a prompt to update tax forms when you open the eFile and Reporting window. To ensure you are always in compliance with the latest federal and state mandated changes, select [Automatic Updates].
   
   
3. Follow the prompts in the software to generate, edit, and file your forms.
   

Technical Assistance

Depending on your Sage Service Plan, you may be able to take advantage of the following services:

Sage Customer Portal

You may log on to the Sage Customer Portal at https://customers.sagenorthamerica.com to access any of the following:

• Knowledgebase: Find answers to your questions, access downloads, and subscribe to your favorite articles. This service is available online 24/7.
• Live Chat: Chat online with a customer support analyst - a great option for quick questions. Chat hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Time, with the same exceptions as telephone support (see below).
• Online Support Request: Submit an online support ticket when you have a non-urgent question. One of our call center support analysts will assist you. Online support hours are the same as our customer support call center hours (see below).

Sage Customer Support Call Center

Telephone Support: When you have a more urgent question or would prefer to speak to a customer support analyst directly, call us at 800-551-8307. Telephone support is available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time with the following exceptions:

• Every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Time (closed for customer support staff meetings)
• Standard United States holidays
• Quarterly company meetings

Holiday Schedule: We will be closed on the days listed below. Please note we will observe the Christmas holiday on December 26 and December 27 this year.

Upgrading Your Service Plan

If your service plan does not provide online or telephone customer support and you would like to add or upgrade a service plan, please call 800-858-7098.

© 2011 Sage Software, Inc | All rights reserved | Copyright/Trademarks.

This email is considered a transactional or relationship message, which is specifically excluded from the federal law regulating email communication.

Sage Construction and Real Estate Solutions
15195 NW Greenbrier Parkway
Beaverton, OR 97006