Has everyone been informed that to electronically file your W2 information with SSA will cost extra? I did not know that until today. The company we are forced to use is Aatrix. The file created is full of errors that must first be corrected by the user.

I don't understand what you mean. Is the SSA charging you or is Aatrix? When we print our W-2s in Blackbaud it automatically creates a magnetic media file to send. Then, per Blackbaud's instructions, I downloaded a program from the internet called AccuWage that tests the data and then asks you if you want to connect to Business Services Online website to send the data. This is the SSA website and we've been doing it this way for the past five years with no problems and no charges. The only thing you have to do is register with Business Services Online and get a pin # and also download the new AccuWage program each year which is also free. On the upside I have not once had any errors with the magnetic media file after we set it up correctly the first year. Tonya Miller Christ Church Episcopal School

Aatrix is the one charging. This is for payroll 7. Are you still on payroll 6?

Yes we are and we will only go to Version 7 kicking and screaming when we absolutely have to. Especially if we have to pay for this. Are you having a lot of problems with 7? How long have you been on it? We process about 260 w-2's and I can't imagine trying to fix a magnetic media file with a lot of errors.

We are also still using version 6.42 payroll with Financial Edge. The electronic W-2 file produced from version 6.42 Payroll passes the AccuWage testing. As a backup, and to keep W-2 information readily available from past years, we use a product called 1099etc, which is relatively inexpensive (about $250/yr). This enables us to keep each year separate, print W-2's and 1099's on blank paper in a variety of formats, save W-2's and 1099's in PDF, accepts data import from all the popular sources (CSV, IRS e-file format, xls, etc), produces a wide variety of reports and produces an e-file for both 1099 and W-2. I guess this is similar to paying for e-filing, but I like the control we have using the 1099etc product. We use Queries to export the data from FE and Payroll to 1099etc.

We have been on version 7 for about 7 months now and it has been a nightmare. Stay on version 6 as long as you can. Printing the W2s was never a problem with version 6. I quess someone at Blackbaud decided we wanted to do more work when processing W2s and that we would not mind paying extra for the privilege. The move to version 7 has been only slightly less painful than a root canal.