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 2-D Bar Code Specifications 2008

Wisconsin uses NACTP's established guidelines for 2-D bar codes with one exception. We require the X (horizontal) dimension be no less than 15 mils. ensuring the highest possible read rate on your client's documents. We use a PDF417 format 2-D bar code and will read the bar codes at 200 DPI. The bar codes on the forms listed below must have an X to Y ratio of three. The error correction DDL must be set to four. The X (horizontal) dimension of the bar code element must range from a minimum of 15 mils. to a maximum of 25 mils. If your company cannot implement the 2-D bar code, you still need to produce a 1-D bar code and leave the space blank where the 2-D bar code would have been placed.

APPROVAL PROCESS - 1-D documents must be approved before 2-D testing will be conducted.

Make sure that:

1. If no entry is required for a data field, leave the field blank. Do not enter alpha characters such as “none” or “zero” in a financial field. Do not draw lines through a field that should be left blank.
2. All data must be placed in the specific area designated for a field.
3. Always include a 1-D bar code on the documents and schedules even though the 2-D bar code is being used.
4. The printing of the 2-D should be the default option in the software.
5. Check the Software and Printer Requirements for 2-D Bar Code Printing.
6. Once a 2-D bar code is generated for a completed tax document, no information on the document can be altered. If information is altered, a new 2-D bar code will need to be generated for the document. Inform all clients that they cannot change entries on the tax return sent to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue once the 2-D bar code is generated on the return. Any changes made to the document after the 2-D bar code is generated will be lost in processing the tax document.

Forms Development

• 2-D Bar code General Information
• A blank space in the upper right-hand quadrant on the first page of each return or schedule has been designed to accommodate the generated 2-D bar code.
• In the instances when both a form and a schedule are designed to accommodate a 2-D bar code, the first page of the primary tax form will be the only one to include the 2-D bar code.
• When supplying 2-D documents for approval, please send all test documents and Wisconsin forms from test scenarios, indicated for each document type in the following table below.

Data Layouts and Form	Test Documents	Test Scenarios (E-File Scenarios)
Form 1 + H or CR Form 1 + H-EZ or CR Form 1 + FC or CR	Form 1 Test 1 Form 1 Test 2 Form 1 Test 3 Form 1 Test 4 Form 1 Test 5 Form 1 Test 6 Form 1 Test 7 Form 1 + H EZ Test 1	Form 1 + CR Scenario 1 Form 1 + CR Scenario 2 Form 1 + FC and CR Scenario 1 Form 1 + FC and CR Scenario 2 Form 1 + H Scenario 1 Form 1 + H Scenario 2
Form 1A Form 1A + H Form 1A + H-EZ	Form 1A Test 1 Form 1A Test 2 Form 1A Test 3 Form 1A Test 4 Form 1A Test 5 Form 1A Test 6 Form 1A Test 7 Form 1A Test 8 Form 1A Test 9 Form 1A + H Test 1 Form 1A + H Test 2 Form 1A + H Test 3	Form 1A Scenario 1 Form 1A Scenario 2 Form 1A + H Scenario 1 Form 1A + H Scenario 2
Form 1NPR + FC or CR Form 1NPR + H or CR	Form 1NPR Test 1 Form 1NPR Test 2 Form 1NPR Test 3 Form 1NPR Test 4 Form 1NPR Test 5	Form 1NPR Scenario 1 Form 1NPR Scenario 2
Form WI-Z	Form WI-Z Test 1 Form WI-Z Test 2 Form WI-Z Test 3 Form WI-Z Test 4 Form WI-Z Test 5 Form WI-Z Test 6 Form WI-Z Test 7 Form WI-Z Test 8 Form WI-Z Test 9 Form WI-Z Test 10	Form WI-Z Scenario 1

Document Testing Procedure

Submit 1-D returns for approval. Once approval is achieved on the 1-D return, submit 2-D bar coded test returns for approval. Test results will be sent via e-mail.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE Ray Burkhart, revenue Program supervisor 2135 Rimrock Rd., 3-418 P.O. Box 8903 Madison, WI 53708-8903 Telephone: (608) 264-9942 Fax: (608) 264-6884 E-mail Additional Questions

Last updated November 24, 2008

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