Happy Cinco de Mayo 2023
Para nuestros amigos que hablan español

The Internal Revenue Service today announced January 23, 2023, as the beginning of the nation’s 2023 tax season when the agency will begin accepting and processing 2022 tax year returns.
More than 168 million individual tax returns are expected to be filed, with the vast majority of those coming before the April 18 tax deadline. People have three extra days to file this year due to the calendar.
With the three previous tax seasons dramatically impacted by the pandemic, the IRS has taken additional steps for 2023 to improve service for taxpayers. As part of the August passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS has hired more than 5,000 new telephone assistors and added more in-person staff to help support taxpayers.
“This filing season is the first to benefit the IRS and our nation’s tax system from multi-year funding in the Inflation Reduction Act,” said Acting IRS Commissioner Doug O’Donnell. “With these new additional resources, taxpayers and tax professionals will see improvements in many areas of the agency this year. We’ve trained thousands of new employees to answer phones and help people. While much work remains after several difficult years, we expect people to experience improvements this tax season. That’s just the start as we work to add new long-term transformation efforts that will make things even smoother in future years. We are very excited to begin to deliver what taxpayers want and our employees know we could do with this funding.”
These steps took place as the IRS worked for months to prepare for the 2023 tax season. The January 23 start date for individual tax return filers allows the IRS time to perform annual updates and readiness work that are critical to ensuring IRS systems run smoothly. This is the date IRS systems officially begin accepting tax returns. Many software providers and tax professionals are already accepting tax returns; they will transmit those returns to the IRS when the agency begins accepting tax returns on January 23.
To avoid processing delays and speed refunds, the IRS urges people to follow these steps:
Organize and gather 2022 tax records including Social Security numbers, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, Adoption Taxpayer Identification Numbers, and this year’s Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers valid for calendar year 2023.
Taxpayers can find online tools at IRS.gov that are easy-to-use and available anytime. Millions of people use them to help file and pay taxes, find information about their accounts, determine eligibility for tax credits and get answers to tax questions.
Individuals can use a bank account, prepaid debit card or mobile app to use direct deposit and will need to provide routing and account numbers. Learn how to open an account at an FDIC-Insured bank or through the National Credit Union Locator Tool.
File a complete and accurate return electronically when ready and choose direct deposit for the quickest refund.
There are several important dates taxpayers should keep in mind for this year’s filing season:
January 13: IRS Free File opens. Taxpayers can begin filing returns through IRS Free File partners; tax returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting January 23. Tax software companies also are accepting tax filings in advance.
January 17: Due date for tax year 2022 fourth quarter estimated tax payment.
January 23: IRS begins 2023 tax season. Individual 2022 tax returns begin being accepted and processing begins.
January 27: Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day to raise awareness of valuable tax credits available to many people – including the option to use prior-year income to qualify.
April 18: National due date to file a 2022 tax return or request an extension and pay tax owed due to the Emancipation Day holiday in Washington, D.C.
October 16: Due date to file for those requesting an extension on their 2022 tax returns
inForm Decisions is now offering a tax form program for Oracle PeopleSoft customers using Payroll for North America software (formerly known as PeopleSoft Payroll). The right options for easy wage and information reporting, inFORM Decisions offers tax forms in just about every paper median for all your tax season preparation needs. W2, 1099, ACA, and many more are available as blank laser forms, pressure seal forms, continues forms, and more. Please call (800) 858-5544 or (949) 709-5838 Ext.123 to order your 2021 tax form paper and envelopes or email Erin at [email protected].
inFORM Decisions is pleased to offer a tax form program exclusively for Computer Guidance Corporation, JD Edwards and Oracle PeopleSoft customers using Payroll for North America software (formerly known as PeopleSoft Payroll) and others. This program provides guaranteed software compatibility and great cost savings on all U.S. payroll year-end tax forms and tax form envelopes.
The right options for easy wage and information reporting, inFORM Decisions offers tax forms in alternate formats in just about every paper median for all your tax season preparation needs. This includes tax forms in many formats for printing with Pressure Seal Equipment. W2, 1099, ACA, and many more are available as blank laser forms, pressure seal forms, continues forms, and more including the corresponding envelopes.
A new approach to handling your office’s document and printing supplies can start right now with you and the inFORM Decisions supplies team. We can provide assistance in figuring out the right products for your needs. We work with multiple supplies rather than a single source. We can typically provide forms when no one else can. Now supplying tax forms that have been discontinued by R.R. Donnelley and Office DEPOT/OfficeMax. Why deal with on-line or big box suppliers when you can have personal one-on-one expert service and save money in the process?
Insure you have the top quality forms you need to file your taxes by calling (800) 858-5544 or (949) 709-5838 Ext.123 to order your 2022 tax form paper and envelopes, email Erin at [email protected].
IBM Power servers have security built in at all layers, from the processor to the OS, now you can protect your existing PDF files to deliver an integrated end-to-end security solution. Safely share PDFs with sensitive information. Protect your documents with passwords for security and peace of mind.
iDocs delivers trusted document security. Prevent unauthorized access to your PDF files by encrypting them with a password that recipients have to enter before they can open or view them. Password protect your existing PDF documents with confidence from any browser with 128-bit AES encryption.
There is no need to utilize Adobe or Cloud services as iDocs employs the native IBM I environment to safeguard your PDF documents.
Customize your protection. You can secure your PDF in several ways. The Restrict Editing option lets you put document editing behind the password. If desired, anyone can open and view the file, but they need to know the password to make any further edits to the PDF. Not only can you control who can open the PDF document, you can control Printing, Changing the Document, Commenting, Form Field Fill-in or Signing, Content Copying, Content Accessibility and Page Extraction.
Once you’ve secured your document, it is saved as a new file and you can now confidently share it.
inFORM Decisions has been a Document Automation provider specializing in state of the art Document Automation solutions for the IBM i – iSeries – AS/400 arena since 1994. We believe that the IBM i/Power Systems will be relevant for a long time offering the stability and security that you’ve come to expect from IBM. inFORM Decisions is committed to the IBM i platform forever!
Call (800) 858-5544 / (949) 709-5838 or visit us at www.informdecisions.com for more information about our acclaimed iDocs suite of IBM i products.
A new approach to handling your office’s document and printing supplies can start right now with you and our specialized supplies team. Why deal with on-line or big box suppliers when you can have personal one-on-one expert service and save money in the process? We’ll help you with your company’s printer supplies by simplifying you’re ordering, saving you money and time while helping save the environment.
Typically our customers save money compared to orders places with Deluxe or Staples. Try us and compare for yourself.
iDocs/iChecks, Intuit, Quick Books, Sage, Microsoft Great Plains and many more.
In addition to stocked items, we will locate and provide for blank Security Check Stock as well as Preprinted Security Check Stock for all software packages.
Deal with a single contact, one representative and one company for all your needs. Just call Erin!
We can provide assistance in figuring out the right products for your needs. We work with multiple supplies rather than a single source. We can typically provide forms when no one else can.
Get help right away from one accountable person who can provide troubleshooting assistance.
Beside paper and toner expertise, Erin has more than 20 years’ experience working with HP, Toshiba and other printers and ERP software.
The security paper stock used to print our checks is an important element in the overall security program to protect the printing of checks. Our security checks have multiple security features that help prevent check fraud.
Get your checks and envelopes from a single source assuring compatibility. Security envelopes are available in several sizes in either double window, single window, and preprinted styles
We provide M.I.C.R. (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) toner for both U.S. and Canadian customers. MICR toner is used to print the E-13B MICR characters on the bottom 5/8 inch of a check. Formulated specifically for each individual model of Laser printer, our Toner and Ink is superior, reliable, and ensures unparalleled adhesion and image quality. When it comes to check printing, unreliable checks mean lost revenue and bank fees. As an HP OEM Partner, our toner will never void your warranty and you can rest assured each print will be as strong as the last.
We offer tax forms in just about every paper median for all your tax season preparation needs. W2, 1099, ACA, and many more are available as blank laser forms, pressure seal forms, continues forms, and more.
Please call (800) 858-5544 or (949) 709-5838 Ext.123 to order your printer supplies including blank forms, check forms, tax forms, toner and envelopes or email Erin at [email protected].
We have all seen them, they are pervasive in our world. From the documents we use on a day to day basis, to the QR code we scanned with our phone. Businesses are using barcodes on everything. Barcodes can be placed on documents for tracking and embedding information, but with labels, they can be placed on just about anything. From packages for track and trace, to equipment for asset management, barcodes can be leveraged for all types of business purposes.
Barcodes are often overlooked as a method for cutting costs and saving time. A valuable and viable choice for businesses looking to improve efficiency and reduce overhead, barcodes are both cost-effective and reliable.
The world of barcode technology is constantly improving, and companies are looking to embed more and more data within the symbol. If you just look at the leap between 1D and 2D symbologies, it was significant and now there is 3D technology.
The first barcodes implemented worldwide were 1D (one-dimensional) barcodes. These linear codes only contain alphanumeric data. Each character in the code represents something different about the product and a database provides information on what each character means. Linear barcodes hold just a few dozen characters, and generally get physically longer as more data is added. Because of this, users typically limit their barcodes to 8-15 characters. These consist of UPC, EAN CODE, CODE 39, CODE 128, ITF, CODE 93, CODABAR, GS1 DATABAR and MSI PLESSEY. UPC (Universal Product Code) is the most common barcode for retail product labeling. It is seen in most grocery stores across the United States. The symbology encodes a 12-digit numeric-only number.
Two-dimensional barcodes were first introduced to the market by Intermec Corporation in 1988. Since their invention, 2D barcodes have evolved in a number of ways. Today, two-dimensional barcodes can vary in height, length, and size. Two-dimensional barcodes are made up strictly of vertical lines because they only have the capacity to hold information horizontally. In this type of barcode, the encoded information is determined by the thickness of and the distance between the lines. 2D barcodes also have the advantage of being easier to read. They can be accurately read at high speed, which makes them ideal for commercial printing, direct mail, and manufacturing.
Because of their structure, 2D barcodes can hold more data than 1D codes (up to 2000 characters), while still appearing physically smaller. The data is encoded based on both the vertical and horizontal arrangement of the pattern, thus it is read in two dimensions.
The most common type of 2D barcode is called a QR code (an initialism for Quick Response code). QR codes were designed in 1994 by a company called Denso-Wave which is a subsidiary of Toyota. QR codes are square images consisting of black modules on a white background. These codes can store hundreds of times more information than traditional 2D barcodes. QR codes were originally used in Japan to track vehicle parts during the manufacturing process but are beginning to become more popular in other areas such as marketing. QR codes can connect users to many different types of data such as webpages, images, contact information, SMS text messages, and more. QR codes can be read by simply scanning them with a QR code reader app downloaded on a smartphone.
Unlike one-dimensional barcodes, QR codes are two-dimensional or three-dimensional. This is the difference between 2D and 3D barcodes: 2D codes: Printed on a flat surface like paper or signage, the 2D QR code is what most of us picture when we think of a QR code.
3D Barcode systems emerged quickly, filling a great necessity. Manufacturers realized that a new system was needed due to the high temperature, use of excessive solvents, chemicals that caused the removal of conventional barcode labels with sticks in one motion. 3D Barcodes have the same logic as linear and 2D systems but are processed on the surface of a product. A 3D image may also be a grayscale volumetric image, like from MRI or CT.
Unlike one-dimensional barcodes, QR codes are two-dimensional or three-dimensional. This is the difference between 2D and 3D barcodes: 2D codes: Printed on a flat surface like paper or signage, the 2D QR code is what most of us picture when we think of a QR code.
The POSTNET 11-digit barcode was the predominant postal addressing barcode in use until the Intelligent Mail barcode (also known in its early usage as OneCode Solution), was introduced and implemented. The POSTNET barcode was replaced by the Intelligent Mail barcode in the fall of 2009, combining all previous Postal Service barcodes and marking into a single barcode. The (Intelligent Mail Barcode IMb) is a 65-bar barcode for use on mail in the United States. The term “Intelligent Mail” refers to services offered by the United States Postal Service for domestic mail delivery.
Now that you have a better understanding of the most common barcode types and how they’re being used today, here are six questions you can ask yourself to find the right barcodes for your enterprise.
Whether you’re looking into one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcodes for your business, organization or personal use, the information we’ve provided should serve as a great tool to help you select the appropriate types of barcodes for your needs. If you are utilizing an AS/400, iSeries or IBM i operating system iBAR can be used to produce your bar codes.
iBAR from inFORM Decisions offers IBM i native users the ability to scale barcodes, and to output to industry standard HP PCL cut sheet and continuous form label printers. iBar is now capable of producing industries’ most popular bar code symboligies, including UPC, QR, 3of9, EAN, DataMatrix, IMb and more.
For current, iBar and iDocs users, it’s important to note that you will no longer be confined to working with fixed pitch HP fonts. You can now size the font to accommodate your print requirements, as now the user simply selects a barcode symbology, and enters the size they need. In addition, barcodes can be embedded into *SCS spool files or integrated with API commands.
iBar provides your IBM i the ability to print barcodes interactively with no programming. It’s fully automated and integrated with your existing IBM i applications. Select data from your database and use the fields you need to generate the bar codes. The barcodes can be embedded into *SCS spool files or integrated with API commands. iBar can generate documents as PDF’s and save them to your network for distribution and electronic delivery, or to advance capture software.
There are a wide variety of barcodes for all types of encoding of data. For simple things, like a bill of lading number, you can use a simple 1D barcodes. For complex, large data set encoding, you can use a 2D font like Datamatrix or a QR code. For addressing mail there is the USPS intelligent bar code.
Additional reading:
IBM i Scalable Barcode Generation
Barcode terminology
Call (800) 858-5544 / (949) 709-5838 or visit us at www.informdecisions.com for more information about iBAR and our acclaimed iDocs suite of IBM i products. inFORM Decisions is committed to the IBM i platform forever!
The U.S. tax season will start on Jan. 24, which is “when the tax agency will begin accepting and processing 2021 tax year returns,” the IRS said in a Jan. 10 announcement. This is more than two weeks earlier than the agency started the filing season last year, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
The January 24 start date for individual tax return filers will allow the IRS time over the course of the coming weeks to do additional programming and testing that is critical to ensure that IRS systems will run smoothly this filing season and will help taxpayers claim the remainder of their Child Tax Credit and remaining stimulus funds in a timely manner when filing their 2021 returns.
“Planning for the nation’s filing season process is a massive undertaking, and IRS teams have been working non-stop these past several months to prepare,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement. “The pandemic continues to create challenges, but the IRS reminds people there are important steps they can take to help ensure their tax return and refund don’t face processing delays.”
In order to prevent delays and help the tax season flow more smoothly, one of the steps you can take is filing your returns as early as possible in accordance with the Jan. 24 start date. The IRS free filing program will open on Jan. 14, allowing taxpayers the opportunity to begin filing returns through the agencies’ partners earlier in order for them to be transmitted to the IRS starting Jan. 24. “It’s never too early to get ready for the tax-filing season ahead,” the agency says.
And getting ahead will help you navigate another troubling year ahead for the IRS. Treasury Department officials warned on Jan. 10 that the IRS will still be facing “enormous challenges” during this year’s tax filing season, which will likely make it another “frustrating season” for taxpayers, per The Washington Post.
In both 2020 and 2021, the IRS ended up extending the tax deadline into May in order to give taxpayers more time to file their tax returns amid the pandemic. But the agency has no plans to give most people extensions this year, according to The Washington Post. Instead, the tax deadline is April 18 for almost all taxpayers.
To avoid processing delays and speed refunds, the IRS urges people to follow these steps:
Organize and gather 2021 tax records including Social Security numbers, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, Adoption Taxpayer Identification Numbers, and this year’s Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers valid for calendar year 2022.
Check IRS.gov for the latest tax information, including the latest on reconciling advance payments of the Child Tax Credit or claiming a Recovery Rebate Credit for missing stimulus payments. There is no need to call.
Set up or log in securely at IRS.gov/account to access personal tax account information including balance, payments, and tax records including adjusted gross income.
Make final estimated tax payments for 2021 by Tuesday, Jan.18, 2022, to help avoid a tax-time bill and possible penalties.
Individuals can use a bank account, prepaid debit card or mobile app to use direct deposit and will need to provide routing and account numbers. Learn how to open an account at an FDIC-Insured bank or through the National Credit Union Locator Tool.
File a complete and accurate return electronically when ready and choose direct deposit for the quickest refund.
There are several important dates taxpayers should keep in mind for this year’s filing season:
January 14: IRS Free File opens. Taxpayers can begin filing returns through IRS Free File partners; tax returns will be transmitted to the IRS starting January 24. Tax software companies also are accepting tax filings in advance.
January 18: Due date for tax year 2021 fourth quarter estimated tax payment.
January 24: IRS begins 2022 tax season. Individual 2021 tax returns begin being accepted and processing begins
January 28: Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day to raise awareness of valuable tax credits available to many people – including the option to use prior-year income to qualify.
April 18: Due date to file 2021 tax return or request extension and pay tax owed due to Emancipation Day holiday in Washington, D.C., even for those who live outside the area.
April 19: Due date to file 2021 tax return or request extension and pay tax owed for those who live in MA or ME due to Patriots’ Day holiday
October 17: Due date to file for those requesting an extension on their 2021 tax returns
The right options for easy wage and information reporting, inFORM Decisions offers tax forms in just about every paper median for all your tax season preparation needs. W2, 1099, ACA, and many more are available as blank laser forms, pressure seal forms, continues forms, and more. Please call (800) 858-5544 or (949) 709-5838 Ext.123 to order your 2021 tax form paper and envelopes or email Erin at [email protected].
The efficiency of your AP team’s invoice processing method can have an enormous impact on operations across your organization, ultimately affecting your bottom line. Invoices are just plain painful, and companies usually tackle the AP Invoice Processing problem with more staff. If ignored, delays and inaccuracies in your AP process will create inefficiencies that ripple through your business, generating unnecessary cost, frustrating other departments, and straining vendor relationships. There’s potential for wasting time and creating errors throughout the AP process, including:
One or more of these factors can take several days for multiple employees to resolve, and could hinder other employees, departments, or even end customers. No company wants to be known for late payments, and no company needs the notoriety of negatively impacting its vendors. The importance of AP process efficiency cannot be understated: it’s a business-critical matter that you should monitor and address on a routine basis.
To determine what improvements need to be made to your AP processes, first and foremost, look at your invoice data capture method. Examine steps that require paper or manual data processing, as they’re error-prone and take the most time and resources to complete. Chances are there’s at least some manual work involved as 58% of invoices are still being entered manually into AP systems in a typical enterprise.
There are numerous qualitative factors that you should be aware of as you evaluate your AP processes. While you can’t measure them directly, all have a quantitative influence on your department’s performance and your business results. Understanding these elements and their effects will reinforce your proposals for improvements to your bottom line.
For example, map out your invoice processing operations to gauge their complexity. You can start by listing the fundamental steps of any AP process, then break each individual step down into its components, such as the step’s resource, manual process or software used to facilitate or complete the step, and the time it takes to complete each step.
The fundamental steps of the AP process are:
As you’re going through your AP team’s workflow, you’ll need to find the answer to several questions, such as:
This is just a handful of the queries that will arise as you study your AP team’s invoice processing.
Once you’ve reviewed your AP processes and identified its inefficiencies, you’ll be able to clearly see opportunities for improvement. You may discover that your invoice data capture method is causing inefficiencies. One of the most critical steps in invoice processing is data extraction. A touchless solution that teaches itself how to capture information from multiple document formats accurately can boost AP efficiency considerably. There are capture product that scan and extract invoice information into searchable invoice PDFs like iCapture from inFORM Decisions routing captured invoices to 60+ systems. You can also streamline your AP operations by automatically printing checks or emailing digital documents to recipients on the IBM i using iDocs. You can also utilize your valuable electronic data and iForms to facilitate year ending reporting and 1099 forms electronically. Kickoff AP invoice workflow using our iWorkflow solution to map the steps from the point at which goods are received to the point at which invoices are paid.
Unleash your team’s efficiency with iDocs suite of accounts payable solutions and say goodbye to filing cabinets and lost invoices. Accounts payable process automation frees your team from the manual AP tasks that are slowing down your business, all while giving you greater control over your spend management with the click of a button. An automated Accounts Payable solution can help an organization reduce costs, keep more of their hard-earned profits and keep employees happy and productive.
Ready to take the leap? inFORM Decisions has a series of advanced AP and Invoice Solutions that are affordable for any size business, and any size AP department. Contact us today for your ticket to a streamlined paperless invoice process.
inFORM Decisions’ IBM i and Power Systems Native iPDF Engine converts spool files and PCL files into PDF (Portable Document Format) files. This powerful conversion engine promotes Automation, Distribution, and Functionality while keeping the user experience simple and friendly to use.
1. Rather than the manual use of Operations Navigator or other laborious processes, iPDF will create PDF files from a spool file without any human intervention.
A fully automated solution that always runs when you need it, even outside of working hours, iPDF includes an automatic output queue processing program that will monitor any designate output queue. When any spooled file appears in this output queue it will be automatically converted to a PDF and placed in any desired destination. Usage is even easier utilizing the convenient dashboard monitor to create, start, end and manage all PDF jobs from a single screen. Jobs can also be initiated real-time and submitted using embedded RPG or CL commands.
2. IBM native conversion eliminates the need to download to a PC (or secondary server) to process PDF files, thus improving security and speed of PDF document conversion.
Native conversion leverages the power of your IBM i (AS/400) investment to convert *SCS and *USERASCII spool files to PDF or TIFF format with full-color overlays small enough to be emailed or stored – delivering more security and faster processing of documents and reports.
3. Much, much more than a simple conversion tool, iPDF enables report distribution.
iPDF facilitates report distribution, PDF document archival and retrieval, bursting, sorting and outputting PDF reports and custom business forms in the open PDF standard. Once the PDFs are created they can be easily viewed using the free Acrobat Reader wherever they are sent.
4. Benefit from cloud repository services.
The PDF attachment can be dynamically assigned descriptive names and deposited on the target IFS, any shared drive, remote PC, Microsoft OneDrive or SharePoint. If you supply user and/or owner passwords scraped from the originating spool file iPDF can password encrypt the generated PDF documents. This would enable viewing only by the intended recipient. Think deposit tickets.
5. Expand your IBM i applications with modern functions and save money by digitally distributing reports.
Some clients have reduced the paper they print by 90%, saving them thousands each month. iPDF paperless report conversion software will copy spool files to PDF or TIFF easily, dynamically naming, emailing and archiving without programming or additional hardware.
6. Reduce users’ dependence on your IT staff in finding reports or converting them into an electronic format.
Automated report distribution and parsing also reduce the number of reports that your IT staff needs to write. Employees save countless hours because they no longer have to file, search, print and mail paper reports.
For a quick product demonstration of how to use the iPDF Monitor to convert your spool files to PDF or TIFF use the link below.
Call (800) 858-5544 / (949) 709-5838 or visit us at www.informdecisions.com for more information about iPDF or our acclaimed iDocs suite of IBM i products.
IBM keeps rolling out enhancements that not only improve the IBM I platform, but make it easier to use Open source tools. Smart IBM I customers are adapting these new tools rapidly and are requiring some new hires to have some knowledge, not years, of these new features. They also pay a premium for these skills.
OCEAN TechCon20
IBM i Technical Conference
Thursday, July 15, 2021 – starting at 8:30 AM, and Friday, July 16, 2021 starting at 1:00 PM
Two Days of Training, Networking & Insight into the Latest IBM Power Systems IBM i Technologies. Leverage the best of both the native IBM i as well as open platform solutions.
Join Document Management Specialist and IBMi Professional Orlando Ferrer,
as he shares how inFORM Decisions has been successfully helping IBMi customers automate the processing, distributing, storing, retrieving and sharing of documents natively on the IBMi. See how managing documents goes beyond printing and emailing spool files. Learn about the benefits of using an alternative to the cumbersome and obsolete AFPDS/IPDS printing. Find out how customers have benefitted from strategically managing documents & reports being distributed directly from the IBMi. Discover the power of converting inbound documents into useful information that can be used to run your business more efficiently while eliminating the need for file cabinets. Instead, your laptop or desktop computer can record your business transactions, send and store documents, and keep your financial records without taking up any added space. Multiple staffers can access authorized documents simultaneously boosting efficiency.
Find the complete #OceanTechCon21 details here.
Call (800) 858-5544 / (949) 709-5838 or visit us at www.informdecisions.com for more information about our booth at the conference. Hoping to see you there!