How to Use TaxRight Software (Formerly Known as TFP)

Post updated 12/3/2021

TaxRight software, formerly known as TFP, is the secret to making e-filing your tax forms a breeze. Simplify the process by following our step-by-step guide to e-filing your forms using TaxRight software.

If you’re searching for a more general overview on e-filing, learn more about e-filing.

When you open your TaxRight software, you should see a prompt box offering to walk you through the process.

Let’s get started.

 


 

Table of Contents

 


 

Adding Payers

The payer is the company that paid the wages, contractor dollars, or other payment to the employees, contractors, or other recipient.

First, you’ll be prompted to create a payer (company). To do this, click Payers & Recipients on the top-bar menu, and then select Manage Payers & Recipients from the dropdown menu.

 

How to add payers in TFP software

 

This will open a new prompt box. To create a payer, click the Add New Payer button and enter the correct information into the relevant fields. All of the bolded fields are required fields. When you’ve finished adding the information, click Save & Add Another to create additional payers. If you have no further payers to add, click Save, which will return you to the Manage Payers & Recipients screen.

 

How to add payers in TFP software

 

Entering the State ID

To enter the state ID, you must have already added a Payer. Then, follow these steps:

  • Select the relevant payer
  • Click the View/Edit button in the upper right corner. This will open a new box of information.
  • Click on the box labeled State ID

State ID

  • Enter the relevant state and state ID
  • Save and close the State ID prompt box, and then Save the Edit Payer/Company box

State ID

 

Determining Payer Type

  • 941 refers to the employer’s quarterly federal tax return
  • 944 refers to the employer’s annual federal tax return
  • 943 refers to the employer’s annual tax return for agricultural employees. You must file form W2 for agricultural employees.
  • Military refers to military employers. You must file form W2 for members of the U.S. military and uniformed services.
  • CT-1 refers to railroad employers. You must file form W2 for employees covered under the Railroad Retirement Tax Act (RRTA).
  • Household employer refers to household employers. You must file form W2 for household employees. Do not include the household employees’ taxes on forms 941 or 943.
  • Medicare government employer refers to U.S., state, or local agencies who file form W2 for employees subject only to the 1.45% Medicare tax.

 

Payer type or employer kind

 


 

Editing Payers

To edit a payer (or payers), return to the top-bar menu and select Payers & Recipients. From there, click on Manage Payers & Recipients.

 

Manage Payers

 

This will bring up your list of payers in the prompt box. Select the payer/company you need to edit from the Payer/Company dropdown menu until it’s highlighted blue. Then, in the upper right corner, click the View/Edit button.

 

Edit Payers

 

This will bring up the box with the payer’s information. Edit as needed. When you are finished, click the Save button.

 

Edit Payer/Company in TFP Software

 

If you’d like to edit a payer or company directly in the tax form, follow these steps.

Select Tax Forms from the top-bar menu bar and select the relevant tax form from the dropdown menu.

 

TaxRight Menu

 

This will open a Payer and Recipient Selection box. At the top left of the box, click the Payer/Company dropdown arrow and select the correct payer/company. Then, find and select the recipient you need to edit from the recipient list in the bottom left window.

 

Edit Payer/Company in TFP

 

 

Finding the Recipient

Sort your recipient/payee list in one of five ways: social security number (SSN), first name, last name, name 2, or ID number.

Click within the fields you’d like to edit and hit Enter on your keyboard. This will cause the Edit Payer screen to open.

Make the necessary changes within this box and click Save. The individual tax form will be updated, and your edits will be shown on the tax form.

 


 

Creating Recipients as Individuals

The recipient is the individual who received the money. Recipients are usually employees or contractors.

Creating a recipient is similar to creating a payer. First, click Payers & Recipients on the top-bar menu, and select Manage Payers & Recipients from the dropdown menu.

 

Create Recipients as Individuals in TFP Software

 

Then, select the relevant payer/company from the Payer/Company window. This will highlight the payer blue and allow you to proceed. You must select the Payer/Company in order to be able to add recipients. Click the Add Recipients Manually button. This will open a new box for entering recipient information.

 

Create Recipients as Individuals in TFP Software

 

Enter all recipient information. Remember, bold fields are required fields. If you have multiple recipients to add, click Save & Add Another.

 

Create Recipients as Individuals in TFP Software

 

To Note: Don’t be alarmed if you don’t see the recipients’ information populate the box after clicking Save & Add Another; it will populate once you are finished adding and you click the Save button.

 

If you have only one recipient to add, or you’ve added all of your recipients, click Save to return to the Manage Payers & Recipients screen.

If you’d like to create a recipient/payee directly in the tax forms, follow these steps.

Select Tax Forms from the top-bar menu bar and select the relevant tax form from the dropdown menu.

 

TaxRight Menu

 

This will open a Payer and Recipient Selection box. At the top left of the box, click the Payer/Company dropdown arrow and select the correct payer/company.

Now, at the bottom of the box, click the New button. Enter the tax data into the tax form. When you’re finished, click the Save button.

 

TaxRight Creating a Recipient

 

If you have several new recipients/payees to enter, repeat this process until you’ve added them all.

 


 

Creating a Recipient as a Company

The recipient as a company is a company who has received the money.

Creating a recipient as a company is similar to creating a recipient as an individual. First, click Payers & Recipients on the top-bar menu, and select Manage Payers & Recipients from the dropdown menu.

 

Creating a Recipient as a Company

 

Then, select the relevant payer/company from the Payer/Company window. This will highlight the payer blue and allow you to proceed. Click the Add Recipients Manually button. This will open a new box for entering recipient information.

 

Creating a Recipient as a Company

 

When adding a recipient company, you can omit the name slot. Add the company name under Alternative Name.

Finish entering the recipient information (remember, bold fields are required fields) and click Save & Add Another if you have multiple recipient companies to add. If you have only one recipient company to add, or you’ve added all of your recipient companies, click Save to return to the Manage Payers & Recipients screen.

 

Creating a Recipient as a Company

 

If you’d like to create a recipient/payee company directly in the tax forms, follow these steps.

Select Tax Forms from the top-bar menu bar and select the relevant tax form from the dropdown menu.

 

TaxRight Menu

 

This will open a Payer and Recipient Selection box. At the top left of the box, click the Payer/Company dropdown arrow and select the correct payer/company.

Now, at the bottom of the box, click the New button. Enter the tax data into the tax form. When you’re finished, click the Save button.

 

TaxRight Software - Add Recipient as Company

 

If you have several new recipients/payee companies to enter, repeat this process until you’ve added them all.

 


 

Editing Recipients

To make changes to your recipients, follow these simple steps.

First, click Payers & Recipients on the top-bar menu, and select Manage Payers & Recipients from the dropdown menu.

 

Editing recipients in TFP software

 

Select the payer/company that the recipient you need to edit is listed under from the Payer/Company menu. From here, select the recipient/payee you need to edit from the recipient menu and click the View/Edit button.

 

Editing recipients in TFP software

 

This will bring up the box with the recipient’s information. Edit as needed. When you are finished, click the Save button.

 

Editing recipients in TFP software

 

If you’d like to edit a recipient/payee directly in the tax forms, follow these steps.

Select Tax Forms from the top-bar menu bar and select the relevant tax form from the dropdown menu.

 

TaxRight Menu

 

This will open a Payer and Recipient Selection box. At the top left of the box, click the Payer/Company dropdown arrow and select the correct payer/company. From here, select the recipient/payee you need to edit from the recipient list in the bottom window.

 

Editing recipients in TFP software

 

Sorting the Recipient

Sort your recipient/payee list in one of five ways: social security number (SSN), first name, last name, name 2, or ID number. Click the Sort by dropdown list to choose the manner you want to sort your recipients/payees in and choose whether you want to sort the top or bottom window.

To edit the information, click within the fields you’d like to edit and hit Enter on your keyboard. This will cause the Edit Recipient screen to open. Make the necessary changes within this box and click Save. The individual tax form will be updated, and your edits will be shown on the tax form.

 


 

Importing Recipient Data

You can import recipient data in bulk using two methods: using an Excel template and importing the previous years’ data.

Here’s how.

 

Importing Recipient Data Using an Excel Template

First, click Utilities on the top-bar menu, and select Import Current Year Tax Forms from the dropdown menu. Select the payer/company from the Payer/Company drop-down menu for which you want to import tax forms.

 

Import data to TaxRight using Excel

 

Then, select the tax form for which you want to import from the Import Template drop-down menu. Click Get Template.

 

Import Excel Get Template

 

This will open a box prompting you to name and save your Excel template. Type in a unique file name for the template (e.g. FormName_Template) and save your file to an easy-to-locate destination, like your desktop. Click Save.

 

Importing Recipient Data Using an Excel Template

 

Temporarily minimize the TaxRight software screen. Don’t close it, just minimize it.

Find and open the Excel template you saved. Enter your tax form data into the appropriate fields according to the template.

 

To Note: When entering a EIN/TIN company, fill in the in Last Name field.

 

When you’ve entered all data, save and close the Excel file. Pull your TaxRight software screen back up and maximize it.

On the Import Current Year Tax Forms screen, enter the number of records (tax forms) you are importing in the appropriate box labeled # Of Records to Import. Then, click the button on the bottom labeled Import.

 

Import Taxright Excel

 

This will open a prompt box asking if you’d like to Add to existing data or Overwrite for the tax forms you’re importing.

 

Import Excel TaxRight

 

To Note: Add means you want to add more tax forms to the existing forms created for the selected payer.  Overwrite means the current tax forms created for the payer selected will be overwritten with the new tax forms in the import, meaning all current tax forms in your software for that specific payer will be deleted.

 

Locate the template you used to input your tax form data earlier and click Open.

 

Importing Recipient Data Using an Excel Template

 

Your software will import the data from the Excel file. When completed, a message on the import screen will appear stating, “(Form Type) Tax File is imported.” This means it has all been imported successfully.

You can check to ensure all your tax data was imported successfully by checking the forms created under the payer/company selected.

 

To Note: If the software detects any errors during the importing process, the error report can be found in View Import Error List located under Payers & Recipients tab.

 

Importing Recipient Data Using the Previous Years’ Data

First, click Utilities on the top-bar menu, and select Import Prior Tax Year Data from the dropdown menu.

 

Import data to TaxRight

 

A screen will pop up showing the remaining payers available to import. Select either the All Payers or Singe Payer option. If you select the Single Payer option, you must highlight (select) the payer you want to import. Click the Import button.

 

Import data TaxRight

 

To Note: If you selected All Payers to import, once importing is finished, the import screen will close automatically. A pop-up message will appear reading “All payers imported successfully.”

If you selected Single Payer to import, once the payer you selected has been imported, the import screen will close automatically. A pop-up message will appear reading “Payer(s) imported successfully.”

 

Recipient Names Did Not Import with Payer

If you’ve imported your payer and the recipients didn’t import, follow these steps.

  • Delete the payer you just imported. You will need to verify the prior year’s payer information.
  • Go back into your prior year’s software. Under the Payers & Recipients tab, select the relevant payer and verify the punctuation.
  • If the payer or recipient is using a TIN, the payer’s name may only contain A-Z, 0-9, hyphens, periods, and apostrophes. Any special characters not included in this list will need to be removed in your payer name. Then, you will be able to save.
  • Return to your TaxRight software program and import the payer again.

 


 

Creating a Form

The TaxRight software comes preloaded with 12 different types of tax forms.

To create a form, select Tax Forms from the top-most menu bar and choose the specific tax form from the dropdown menu.

 

TaxRight Menu

 

Then, choose the payer/company from the Payer/Company dropdown. This will pull up the Recipients Without Filed Forms window; select the relevant recipient. Enter the tax information into the data fields on the form. When you’re finished, click Save.

 

Creating a form in TaxRight

 


 

Editing a Form

To edit a form, select Tax Forms from the top-most menu bar and choose the specific tax form from the dropdown menu.

 

TaxRight Menu

 

Then, choose the payer/company from the Payer/Company dropdown. This will open a new window; select the recipient/payee from the bottom window to edit the relevant recipient’s tax form. Make the necessary changes to the data. When you’re finished, click Save.

 

Editing a form Taxright

 


 

Deleting a Form

To delete a form, select Tax Forms from the top-most menu bar and choose the specific tax form from the dropdown menu.

 

TaxRight Menu

 

Then, choose the payer/company from the Payer/Company dropdown. This will open a new window; select the recipient/payee from the bottom window to delete their tax form.

Click the Delete button. A pop-up message will appear stating the tax form was deleted. Click OK.

 

Deleting a Form in TFP Software

 

To Note: When a tax form for a recipient/payee has been deleted, the personal information will still remain in the recipient/payee data file.

 


 

Creating Multiple Forms

If you need to create additional W2 or 1099s for a single employee/payee, follow these simple steps.

Select Tax Forms from the top-most menu bar and choose the specific tax form from the dropdown menu.

 

TaxRight Menu

 

Then, choose the payer/company from the Payer/Company dropdown. This will open the Recipients/Payees window. Select the relevant recipient. Click New.

 

Creating Multiple Forms in TFP software

 

A pop-up message will appear asking if you want to create a new form for the same recipient. Click Yes.

 

Creating Multiple Forms in TFP software

 

Enter the relevant tax information into the data fields on the form.

When you’re finished, click Save.

Once you’ve selected the form, payee, and recipients, you now need to enter the required data.

 

For tips on entering data into 1099s, consult our guide on e-filing 1099s.

 


 

Creating Transmittal Forms: W-3 or 1096

To create a transmittal form, click Tax Forms from the top-most menu bar. Then, select W3 or 1096 from the Transmittal Forms section at the bottom of the dropdown menu.

 

TaxRight Menu

 

Select the relevant payer/company from the Payer/Company dropdown menu. Then, select the relevant Filing Method from the dropdown menu in the bottom left corner. For Form 1096, select its related 1099 tax box.

 

Transmittal forms in TFP software

 

Transmittal forms in TFP software

 

To Note: Select Paper for a total of all forms you are paper filing for the specific payer selected.

 

Select E-File for a total of all forms you are e-filing for the specific payer selected. Remember, you do not need to e-file a 1096 or W-3 form, since these forms are automatically included in the data transmittal.

Select All for a total of all filings, both e-file and paper, for the payer selected. This option should only be used for payer records if both paper and e-filing has occurred for the same payer.

Instead of printing and mailing the 1096 or W3 forms, e-file them to save time! Check out our resource on e-filing.

 


 

Printing Your Forms

To print your forms, follow these simple steps.

First, select Print Forms from the top-most menu bar. Then select Print Tax Forms from the dropdown menu.

 

Print forms in TFP sofware

 

Select the appropriate payer/company from the Payer/Company dropdown menu in the top left. Then, select the correct tax form type from the Tax Form dropdown menu.

Select the relevant recipient(s) from the Recipients Without Forms Printed window.

Choose the correct format, printing option (pre-printer or laser generated), and number of copies you want to print.

Make sure to test your print alignment before printing several forms.

 

Printing from TaxRight

 

To Note: If you’re only printing one recipient at a time, this will only print the top form. When you select Print on the second form, it will void the top form. If you have more than one recipient, you should always select 2 or more depending on the form type. 

 

Print Alignment in TaxRight

 

How to Test Print Alignment

We highly recommend you test your alignment on a blank piece of printer paper before printing directly onto forms to save yourself from potentially wasting forms.

Before printing, a box will pop up walking you through testing your print alignment.

  1. Verify the printer is loaded with blank printer paper (not blank tax forms) before proceeding with the alignment test.
  2. Adjust the alignment settings accordingly. Make sure to click Save Alignment each time you test a setting.
  3. Print your test form onto the blank paper. Check alignment by holding it up to a light with a blank tax form behind it. If the text doesn’t align within the form’s boxes, adjust the alignment and try again.

Set the print alignment to the correct alignment and click Save Alignment.

Click View to preview the form on the screen or Print to print. If printing from the View screen, this prints as a PDF and will not save the alignment. Instead, you must print from the print button if you aligned.

 

 


 

Reprinting Your Forms

Reprinting your forms is easy.

First, select Print Forms from the top-most menu bar. Then select Print Tax Forms from the dropdown menu.

 

Reprint forms in TFP software

 

Select the appropriate payer/company from the Payer/Company dropdown menu in the top left. Then, select the correct tax form type from the Tax Form dropdown menu.

Select the relevant recipient(s) from the Recipients with Forms Printed window.

Choose the correct format, printing option (pre-printer or laser generated), and number of copies you want to print.

Set the print alignment to the correct alignment and click Save Alignment.

Click View to preview the form on the screen or Print to print. If printing from the View screen, this prints as a PDF and will not save the alignment. Instead, you must print from the print button if you aligned.

 

Reprint forms in TFP software

 


 

Printing the 1099 Correction Form

On the tax form screen, click Print.

 

Printing the 1099 Correction Form

 

Select the tax form you just filed from the Tax Form dropdown menu. Check the Correction box at the top of the window. Then, select the correct recipient from the Recipient/Payees window.

Choose your printing option (either pre-printed or laser generated).

To Note: Copy A can only be pre-printed, not laser generated.

Select the copy you’d like to print, then set the print alignment to the correct alignment and click Save Alignment.

Click View to preview the form on the screen or Print to print. If printing from the View screen, this prints as a PDF and will not save the alignment. Instead, you must print from the print button if you aligned.

 

Printing the 1099 Correction Form

 

To Note: If you only want to print the correction forms you filed, select 1096 form and check the Correction box in the Tax Forms section. Then, highlight the payees with correction forms filed and click either View or Print.

 


 

Printing the W2C

Printing your W2C form is simple, but remember, the W2C can only be printed using pre-printed paper.

First, click Print on the tax form screen.

 

Printing the W2C in TFP software

 

Then, select W2C from the Tax Form dropdown menu. Select the appropriate tax year from the Year dropdown menu and select the correct recipient in the Recipients/Payees window.

Choose the copy you’d like to print. Set the print alignment to the correct alignment and click Save Alignment.

Click View to preview the form on the screen or Print to print. If printing from the View screen, this prints as a PDF and will not save the alignment. Instead, you must print from the print button if you aligned.

 

Printing the W2C in TFP software

 

 

Check Your Printer Settings

These instructions on checking your printing settings are taken directly from ComplyRight.

“NOTE: Starting from the 2018 Software when you adjust the alignment, you will have to print from the software. Remember: DO NOT USE the VIEW then Print. 

If you are having issues aligning your forms, it may be that your printer or print driver is out of date, or you have the incorrect type of printer.

The IRS/SSA recommends using a high-quality type printer no more than 4-5 years old.

  • Bubble jet and inkjet printers are not supported due to the margins and font these types of printers use a spray on ink that smears.
  • Printers - PCL6 compatible might have problems with the drivers if these printers are out of date for Windows 7 and up.
  • All laser printer users must make sure your printer drivers are up to date. To do this, check with your printer manufacturers.
  • We recommend using the manufacturer drivers. Generic drivers could create complications.
  • Printer Scale should be set at 100%. You can find your Printer Scale under the Printer and Devices panel on your computer.”

 

 

Check printer settings

 


 

Finding Recipients/Payees in the Tax Forms or Printing Screens

You can find recipients in both the Tax Form and Tax Form Printing screens.

To search for a recipient/payee in the Tax Form screen, select your payer/company from the Payer/Company dropdown menu. In the Search for Recipient field, enter either partial of the TIN, the last name, or the first name of the recipient for whom you are searching.

 

Find recipients in the tax form screen

Then, choose Top Window or Bottom Window to select which recipient list you want to search.

Click Search. The matching search result will be highlighted.

 

To Note: If multiple records are found, manually click to the next record until you’ve reviewed all records matching your search and found the appropriate one.

 

To search for a recipient/payee in the Tax Form Printing screen, select your payer/company from the Payer/Company dropdown menu. Then, select the tax form for which you need to print from the Tax Form dropdown menu.

 

Find recipients in the tax form printing screen

 

In the Search for Recipient field, enter either partial of the TIN, the last name, or the first name of the recipient for whom you are searching. Then, choose Top Window or Bottom Window to select which recipient list you want to search.

Click Search. The matching search result will be highlighted.

 


 

If you have any further questions about using your TaxRight software, you can reach out to ComplyRight for help – they have live support chat available here and have helpful tips available online at  https://support.custsupp.com/hc/en-us.

This article is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information. However, it is not a substitute for legal advice and does not provide legal opinions on any specific facts or services. The information is provided with the understanding that any person or entity involved in creating, producing or distributing this article is not liable for any damages arising out of the use or inability to use this product. You are urged to consult an attorney concerning your particular situation and any specific questions or concerns you may have.

 

 

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3 comments

Kathryn S. Hoff

I want to efile but I don’t see me forms in the efile site even though i selected efile in the tax right software – a note pops up to review the forms but no forms are there to review

Lauren

Hello Benton, thank you for your question! You can file for multiple payers under one account.

Benton Nunn

I have 2 payers. If I want to efile, do I need to create 2 separate efile accounts?

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