In Payroll version 7.8.0 and higher, the program utilizes the Adobe Reader program to help with the printing of the federal tax reports. This has 2 advantages. First, the forms that print are published by the IRS so that no error can be made when reproducing the forms. Secondly, since these forms are designed as “fill-in” forms, you can modify numbers, if necessary, even though the payroll program opens the forms filled in for you. There is more information about fill in forms at the IRS web site. Since there are versions of Adobe Reader that are minimum versions that will work, there is a possibility that you require an update to your Adobe Reader version in order to open and utilize this feature in the payroll program.

Mac OS X Users You will need to designate Adobe Reader as your default .pdf file reader. You do this in the Get Info screen on any .pdf file you have on your computer. Select the file and then go under File to Get Info. Under the Open With, select the Adobe Reader program and then select the box that will have wording similar to “Use this application to open all documents like this”. The version of OS X you are using may vary the exact wording. It may be necessary to go one step further, also. CheckMark Payroll creates a _941.fdf file along with the _941.pdf file in the folder where you payroll data files are saved. You may also need to designate the Adobe Reader program as the default Open With application in Get Info window as you did with the .pdf file.