Barcodes Speed Tax Return

Today, Apr 2004

State of Missouri Uses 2-D to Cut Data Entry Cost

The State of Missouri's Department of Revenue has selected UltraForms 2-D Barcode Technology from Dataintro Software for implementation on Missouri's 2003 individual tax forms. The software can convert information digitally entered onto a downloadable Acrobat PDF Form into a 2-D barcode. The barcode, which can contain up to 1,800 characters of information, prints out on the mail-in copy of the form. When received by the State of Missouri the 2-D barcode is scanned, capturing all the information entered on the form, and eliminating the need to OCR or manually enter the data from the multiple pages of a typical tax return. The forms can be used by any taxpayer with access to a computer with Internet linkage, and the only additional requirements are the installation of the popular and free-to-download Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher, and an ink jet or laser printer.

The State of Missouri's Department of Revenue has selected UltraForms 2-D Barcode Technology from Dataintro Software for implementation on Missouri's 2003 individual tax forms. The software can convert information digitally entered onto a downloadable Acrobat PDF Form into a 2-D barcode. The barcode, which can contain up to 1,800 characters of information, prints out on the mail-in copy of the form. When received by the State of Missouri the 2-D barcode is scanned, capturing all the information entered on the form, and eliminating the need to OCR or manually enter the data from the multiple pages of a typical tax return. The forms can be used by any taxpayer with access to the internet.

"Printing a PDF417 2-D barcode on the forms simplifies the department's processes and dramatically reduces data entry time for each form. Not only will this save the State money, but it will also improve customer satisfaction by processing the return more quickly and reducing mistakes", said Stan Farmer, Director of Taxation for the Missouri Department of Revenue.

"I have been looking for a product like this for Missouri's fill-in and calculate forms for several years," said Mitzi Crump, Forms Analyst at Missouri DOR. "We are using this for Missouri's long form (Form MO-1040 and its schedules), as well as all our short forms (Forms MO-1040A, MO-1040B, MO-1040C, MO-1040P and PTC). We have also included these forms on our CD that we sell to tax preparers and taxpayers."

"We already had the back-end set up to accept the barcode information from software companies, so I just had to modify the code in the PDFs to send it to the same fields as the software vendors," Crump continued. "We have already received a number of returns using the 2-D barcodes, and the system is working well. The downloadable PDF tillable form allows the taxpayer access to the required forms in the fastest possible time, and the 2-D barcode allows Missouri to process that return quickly and at minimal cost."

One advantage is a reduction in the amount of time needed to capture the data from paper returns. "Until now, 2-D barcode applications needed three or four months to develop. With UltraForms Technology, once your tillable PDF form is ready, it can be deployed within minutes," said Enrique Ramos, Director of Business Development at Dataintro Software. "With the US tax season upon us, we have received the most interest from State governments, but the system is suitable for any downloadable form that has to be returned

as a paper document - particularly any form that requires a signature such as credit or loan applications, insurance policies, proxies, legal documents."