Business Forms

Benjamin Franklin, who once quipped that death and taxes are the only certainties in life, was on to something. As of May 8, the IRS received more than 137 million tax returns this year, which is great news for resellers of tax documents and related software. But for others, keeping up with government regulations is almost "certainly" overwhelming.

Beginning January 2016, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Employer Shared Responsibility Rule, under IRS Code Sections 6055 and 6056, will require employers to file annual information returns with the IRS and deliver employee statements with health plan coverage information. This new reporting requirement is in addition to capturing health care costs on Form W-2. The impact of these changes will be tremendous.

It's hard to deny that it's been a tough couple years for continuous and multipart forms. Once a massive cornerstone of thousands of businesses the world over, forms have since declined in popularity due to the rise of online alternatives. Whether it's for reasons of speed, cost or even marketing, more and more businesses are replacing their forms with online options.

Electronic filing is quickly becoming the preferred method for filing 1099s, W-2s and other business tax forms due to its accuracy, safety and speed. Now, thanks to an enhanced, IRS-authorized e-file platform, partners of TFP Data Systems, Oxnard, Calif., can offer this in-demand option to their customers.

With electronic filing on the rise, the long-term outlook for wage and income filing is anyone's guess. But even as digital technology forges ahead, one thing is certain: Paper-based W-2 and 1099 MISC forms aren't ready to call it quits.With electronic filing on the rise, the long-term outlook for wage and income filing is anyone&rsquo

The financial sector won't be able to erase the stigma of some troubling numbers—no matter how much cleanup is involved.

The controversy surrounding the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and its financial troubles has done little to instill confidence in clients. The organization recently ended the first quarter of its 2014 fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2013) with a net loss of $354 million, marking 19 consecutive quarters in the hole.

Big is scary. It's why so many horror movies feature hulking bad guys and giant monsters. It's why roughly two-thirds of the more than 11,000 attempts to summit Everest have failed.

The health care industry has certainly had its fair share of ailments to cope with over the past year. With a government shutdown topping the long list of offenses, courtesy of nationwide debate over the Affordable Care Act, many are taking a guarded approach in 2014.

As the digital revolution continues to gain ground, the print industry is left to pick up the pieces. Take tax forms, for example.