Quick version: Start on the Dashboard. Its quick actions let you add a form, issuer, or recipient, import data, or copy last year’s forms. The menu takes you to Issuers, Recipients, Forms, Import Center, Credits, and Reports.
Back for another tax season? This guide covers the basics: getting around, bringing last year’s data forward, adding issuers, recipients, and forms, filtering, and creating summary forms.
Find your way around
Click the menu icon in the top-left corner to show the menu labels: Dashboard, Issuers, Recipients, Forms, Import Center, Credits, and Reports.
Use the quick actions on the Dashboard to jump straight to common tasks: Add a Form, Add an Issuer, Add a Recipient, Import, and Copy from Last Year.
The Dashboard also shows how many forms Need action, are Incomplete, or are Ready to file, plus a What needs you list of the most urgent tasks. Check Needs action first, because it flags rejected forms and IRS issues.
Copy last year’s forms
You can bring last year’s issuers, recipients, and forms into the current tax year. This works if your account has forms from the previous tax year. New to Helper? Enter your data by hand or upload a spreadsheet instead.
Click Copy from Last Year on the Dashboard, or go to Import Center.
Select Copy from last year and click Continue.
Check the forms you want to bring forward. Each row shows the issuer, recipient, form type, and last year’s status.
Click Continue.
Issuers and recipients carry over automatically with the forms you copy.
Prefer a spreadsheet? Choose Excel or CSV file in the Import Center instead. See Upload Payer, Recipient & Form Data in an Excel Template. QuickBooks Online import is coming soon.
Add an issuer
Click Add an Issuer on the Dashboard, or go to Issuers.
Click Add New Issuer to enter one by hand, or Import Issuer to upload a list.
For the full steps, see How to Add or Edit an Issuer (Employer/Payer) Manually.
Add a recipient
Click Add a Recipient on the Dashboard, or go to Recipients.
Click Add New Recipient to enter one by hand, or Import Recipient to upload a list.
For the full steps, see How to Add a Recipient Manually.
See an issuer’s recipients and forms
Go to Issuers in the left menu.
Click the issuer’s name to manage their recipients and forms, or click View forms to see only their forms.
Add a form
Click Add a Form on the Dashboard, or go to Forms in the left menu.
Click Add a new form, then choose a tax year and form type.
For the full steps, see [Adding, editing or deleting a 1099], [Adding, editing or deleting a W-2], or [Adding, editing or deleting a 1098].
Filter your forms
One issuer’s forms: On the Forms page, use the Issuers filter.
One form type: Use the Form Types filter.
The Recipients page has its own All issuers filter, and each list has a search bar.
Create a 1096 or W-3 summary form
Go to Forms and check the box next to each form you want to summarize. Select one form type at a time.
Click Generate Summary Form in the bar at the bottom of the screen, then choose your print options.
You’re set up for another tax season.