IRS Having Trouble Reading Some Paper W-2s

On the February 3 IRS payroll tax teleconference call, representatives from the IRS Service Center Recognition Image Processing System (SCRIPS) indicated that they are having trouble reading some 2010 paper W-2s that they have received. The 2010 Form W-2 instructions clearly note that the entries on Form W-2 should be typed in black ink using 12-point Courier font. However, some employers are using blue ink or a font smaller than 12-point Courier. The IRS can process these W-2s but they are harder to read, and, therefore, increase the processing time. The deadline for filing paper W-2s with the Social Security Administration is Feb. 28, 2011.