Adams Tax Forms Helper easily generates your W-3 summary transmittal from the data you’ve already collected.
From your dashboard, go to “Forms.”
Next, select the W-2(s) you want to create a W-3 Summary form for.
Next, click “Generate 1096/W-3.”
Decide if you want to print on a pre-printed IRS form or a blank sheet of paper. In this case, we’re printing onto a blank sheet of paper with watermarks. If you decide you want to print with non-watermarked forms, you'll need to have a Print Access Code* or purchase Self-Print in the Helper. Here, we're printing onto a watermarked, blank form. *A Print Access Code is only necessary for 2025 forms to print. Previous years' forms will print without it and without a watermark.
Next, click "Print Forms."
Click the Print icon in the upper right.
Finally, click Print to send watermarked copy to your printer.
Paper filers, select “Print onto Pre-Printed IRS Form” to create your mailable red ink W-3 forms.
eFilers, select “Print onto Blank Paper” to create electronic or hard copies for your records. To ensure IRS compliance, these printouts are watermarked and not suitable for filing to the IRS or SSA.
Why can’t I file my plain ink copies?
Certain tax form sheets are scanned through automated equipment that uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to process red ink.
For your copy A and W-3 forms, the IRS requires pre-printed forms with machine-readable flint-red OCR dropout ink.
You may face significant penalties and long delays for sending plain ink copies that fail to scan. Adams Tax Forms Helper prints these black-ink copies only for record keeping to help you avoid penalties and fines.
Good on you! You’ve just generated and printed a W-3.