Drake Accounting - W-2 and 1099/1098 Form Availability

DAS will process, print, and e-file Forms W-2 and 1099/1098, but some functions are not available until later in the year.

• Form processing can be completed at any time during the year.

• Printing without a watermark will generally be available mid-November to early December.

• The SSA generally begins accepting e-filed W-2 forms in December or early January.

  • The date will be posted in the user Handbook for W-2/W-3 filing on the BSO webpage.

• Forms 1099/1098 will be available for e-file when the FIRE site begins accepting transmissions for the new year, generally in early January.

  • See the FIRE webpage for specific FIRE production system availability.

Common W-2 and 1099/1098 issues:

• "Preview for 20YY" watermark - this watermark is printed until the forms are updated and approved for printing and filing.

• "Client Copy" watermark on 1099/1098 - the IRS Copy (Copy A) 1099/1098 form is required to be printed on the red-lined forms for filing purposes. To print this form without a watermark, select to print "data only".

• "Printing Not Available In Demonstration Mode" red overprint - printing of forms requires a licensed version of Drake Accounting with a valid serial number.

• To print out a different copy of the form without the watermark, select Other Copies All or Other and select the applicable copies to print.

• Forms W2 and 1099 must be generated in the corresponding version of DAS.

  • For example, a Form W-2 for 2025is generated in DAS 2025.