2011 Review of Tenenz — Laser Link

Tenenz - Laser Link
800-888-5803
www.tenenz

From the Oct. 2011 Review of W-2 & 1099 Compliance Systems.

Best Fit: Small practices managing year-end compliance processes for multiple small businesses.

Strengths:

• Easy interface & data entry.
• Free e-filing.
• Good forms support.
• Inexpensive.

Potential Limitations:

• Limited import options & does not export.
• No built-in invoicing functionality.
• Minimal online support, but live support is free.

Tenenz is a well-known provider of tax and accounting supplies and services including client newsletters, web sites, folders, forms, reference guides and marketing materials. The company is also a reseller of two software programs for managing, processing and e-filing year-end information returns for multiple businesses — TFP and Laser Link. The TFP program is designed primarily for print-based filings generated on pre-printed forms, while the Laser Link program, reviewed here, offers printing to plain paper and has more extensive built-in e-filing capabilities. Tenenz also provides a resold web-based solution available at www.efileforbusiness.com for lower-volume filers.

Basic System Functions (4.25 Stars)

Laser Link guides users through initial entry of clients/payers using a tabbed interface for setting defaults for each entity. The system then opens into a primary interface that offers a filer master list in a spreadsheet view, as well as various sort options and the ability to search records. The program’s main navigation menu appears to the left, with quick access to form selection, data-entry screens, transmittal forms (W-3 and 1096), and several reporting shortcuts. Additional pull-down menus are available at the top of the screen and add to the intuitive navigation of the program.

Laser Link uses form replicas for data-entry tasks and automatically calculates FICA wages and withholding amounts on W-2s, with the ability to override if desired. When overrides have occurred, the system alerts the user prior to leaving the form, and an internal diagnostic utility displays potential form errors. Form selection lists are similar to entity lists, with quick report functions at the bottom of each form type. The program remembers previously entered recipients by their TINs, which speeds subsequent forms entry. Overall, the program’s client management screens are well designed and offer simplified access to entities, recipients, forms and reports.

The program can be installed on individual workstations or. ASP hosting of the program is allowed under the licensing terms. The program offers only a single-level password/security protocol, and can be used to manage any number of client entities, each with unlimited form recipients.

Reporting (4.25 Stars)

Starting last year, Laser Link includes free e-filing for unlimited forms to the IRS and SSA, as well as all states that participate in combined filing. The program supports multi-state W-2s (two states per employee). Forms generated by the system include W-2, W-2G, 1099-B, 1099-Div, 1099-Int, 1099-Misc, 1099-Patr, 1099-R, 1099-S, 1098, 1098-T and 5498. It also produces transmittal forms 1096 and W-3 for paper-based filings. Batch printing options enable output of all forms for specific clients, all forms across all clients, or the ability to select specific forms from individual clients.

Other reports available in the program include summaries for each form type, blank W-9s, filer lists, recipient lists, and a form totals report. All forms and reports can be saved to Word and PDF, with the ability to mask TINs. The program offers digital signature functions and can print to either pre-printed form stock or to blank paper. It does not offer integration with outside software or file formats, nor does the program include a built-in invoicing utility. The online eFileforBusiness system supports the same forms, in addition to 1042-S, 1099-A, LTC, OID and SA.

Import/Export/Integration (3.75 Stars)