Machine Print/Handprint Dilemma

[Guest jmurph]

We just had a conversation with Ron Allen from the DOL that gave us great concern. He said that in order to use the machine print forms all the questions need to be answered because the answers are embedded in the bar code. I don't know about all administrators, but we do not always get completed census and often complete the 5500 to the best of our ability and give the client an information sheet with the questions that still need to be answered. We cannot do this now because the client cannot type/write in the answers on its own.

Have any of you encountered this problem yet. We use our own program for our clients, but I'm sure that commercial 5500 software developers must have thought through this issue. You would have to force users to answers all questions before printing out the forms. This means that you force through answers that may or may not be accurate or you leave the client the task of transposing the information onto a handprint form. Neither option is very appealing.

In our conversation with the DOL we were offered no relief or solution. Does any one have any ideas? I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[John A]

Relief for 1999 forms seems to have arrived. I believe that the agencies have indicated that, for the 1999 forms, they will accept "machine-print" versions even if some entries are made by hand, and will also accept a mix of "hand-print" and "machine-print" schedules.

It is still an excellent question - how will this be resolved for 2000 forms and beyond?

[Earl]

you have to get answers to all your questions before you prepare the forms.

[KIP KRAUS]

I know this is a radical thought, but why not file the forms to best of your ability and let the DOL figure out that their fantistic idea wasn't so fantastic after all????????

I'm sure that with all of their creative people they will figure out what to do?????