2020 Review of W2 Mate

From the 2020 reviews of W-2 and 1099 compliance systems.

W2 Mate from Real Business Solutions, is a good year-end compliance application for both businesses and accounting firms that typically file a high number of year-end W2s and 1099s. Offered as an on-premise application, W2 Mate can be downloaded directly from Real Business Solutions and installed on desktop computers, workstations, and network computers. Along with W2 Mate, Real Business Solutions offers additional year-end compliance applications that offer additional features and functions. The application supports an unlimited number of employers and recipients, making it a good choice for firms processing year-end forms for multiple clients.

W2 Mate supports W2, 1099-MISC, W3, and 1096 forms, with the core application also including the new form 1099-NEC for those that need to report non-employee compensation. Users will have to purchase an add-on module to process other forms including 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-A, 1099-B, 1099-C, 1098 and 1098-T forms. 

W2 Mate offers easy system navigation, with a vertical menu bar to the left of the screen offering y access to all system features. Firms completing year-end forms for a variety of companies can choose the company they wish to access from the drop-down menu at the top of the screen. Users can also easily import or export data from W2 Mate, with a variety of system shortcuts available. In addition, bulk TIN matching capability is included in the application, reducing the number of filing errors and corrections needed.

W2 Mate stores information in each version, with prior year information easily accessible for the current year, eliminating the need to reenter information. W-2 Mate is designed to print on pre-printed forms, though users can opt to purchase the laser add-on option, which allows forms to be printed on blank paper. In addition, an add-on module is available for those that wish to generate year-end forms as a PDF, making it easy to distribute copies to clients and employees alike.

Along with those add-on options, W2 Mate offers additional add-on modules such as the Electronic Filing module with other modules available to facilitate data importing from a variety of third-party applications, and there’s even a module available that will batch and email a high number of completed forms. In addition, W2 Mate offer easy export of W-2s and 1099 to Microsoft Excel.

W2 Mate offers interested parties the option to download a free trial of the application that can be easily converted to a full version if desired. Product users have access to an FAQ page, and product support is available via telephone, fax, email, and chat, with support costs included in the cost of the application. 

W2 Mate is an affordable W-2 and 1099 processing application, with pricing starting at $39 for the downloadable version of the application, though most W2 Mate purchasers will likely purchase several of the additional modules available including Generate Laser Forms, which runs $25.00, Network Installation, which runs $135.00, Import Data from Excel, QuickBooks, and Sage 50, which runs $40.00, Electronic Filing, which run $120.00, Additional 1099 Forms, which runs $25.00, PDF Creation, which runs $30.00 and the 1099 Emailer, which auto batches high volumes of 1099’s and W-2’s and is currently priced at $155.00. Those interested in W2 Mate can download a free demo of W2 Mate to try out prior to purchasing.    

Strengths:

• Very affordably priced
• Offers numerous add-on modules
• Includes bulk TIN matching

Potential Limitations:

• E-filing only available as an add-on
• Import capability only available as an add-on

2020 Rating: 4.5 Stars