Import Excel® Spreadsheets and Delimited (Comma, Tab, Pipe) Text Files!

Account Ability can import Information Returns (1099, 1098, 5498, W2G), Annual Wage Reports (W2, W2C), and Client (Filer) information from a comma delimited text file that conforms to a pre-defined record layout (Schema). Although most third party applications are capable of exporting to delimited text files and Excel® spreadsheets, the likelihood of the output being compatible with this schema is nil. Account Ability includes a free Import Mapping Utility that overcomes this dilemma.

The Import Mapping Utility, shown above, can convert any delimited text file (Source) to a compatible schema (Destination) via a series of drags, drops, and overrides, referred to as a mapping. The main window contains two list views: a source view, appearing on the left, and a destination view, appearing on the right. After selecting a tax form from the Tax Form drop down list, the destination view gets populated with the schema Account Ability is capable of importing. After opening your source file, the source view gets populated with the fields comprising the first record of source data. Simply drag desired source fields from the source view to their respective destinations, click the Execute button, and your source file is mapped to one which can now be imported into Account Ability. It is that simple!

Rollup and Append Options
Prior to importing a delimited text file, Account Ability will request that you specify the type of import desired: Rollup or Append. If you specify Rollup, returns for the same recipient are automatically combined into a single return; if you specify Append, returns are appended to the end of file.

Import IRS Pub. 1220 and SSA EFW2 (formerly MMREF-1) Transmittals
Account Ability can import current year and prior year transmittal files that comply with IRS Pub. 1220 and SSA EFW2 (formerly MMREF-1) specifications.

Roll Forward Any Part of Your Database Each Year
Since it is not always desirable to roll forward all returns each year, you select which returns to roll forward and whether or not to initialize them for a new calendar year.

Import Another Filer's Returns
One filer can easily import another filer's returns of the same type. When the returns are not of the same type (e.g. 1099-MISC and 1099-INT) you would (a) export the desired fields from the source filer's returns (see below), (b) use The Import Mapping Utility to map the exported fields to the destination filer's returns.

Export Filer and/or Recipient Information
Account Ability includes an Export Options dialog that allows you to select any combination of fields for export. The result is a comma delimited text file that is compatible with Excel® as well as any mail merge application.