Rev. Proc. 70-28

Section 1. Purpose.

This Revenue Procedure states the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service regarding the acceptance of computer-prepared Form 1040 and substitutes for the related schedules.

Sec. 2. Specifications.

For filing purposes the Service will accept computer-prepared individual income tax returns, Form 1040, and substitutes for the related schedules provided the forms meet the guidelines prescribed in Sections 3 and 4 below.

Sec. 3. Conditions.

.01 Form 1040.--The weight, size, margins etc., of the computer-prepared form must meet the requirements specified in Revenue Procedure 70-26, page 507, and the format, except for minor deviations, must follow the format of the official return. To make the form suitable for computer preparation, minor format modifications such as eliminating the vertical lines from the area reserved for social security number, changing the dimensions of the check boxes for filing status, etc., are permitted.

.02 Schedules A&B, C, D, E&R, F, G and SE.--Computer-prepared substitutes for these forms may be submitted on good quality, standard stock machine stationery provided:

(a) The format of each substitute schedule follows the format of the official schedule so far as item captions, line references, etc., are concerned. With the exception noted below, all lines and items required by each official schedule must be shown on the computer-prepared substitute.

Exception.--In the case of substitutes for Schedules A, B and/or E detailed information for any deduction or income category may be omitted from the print-out if the category total to be reported is zero. However, the substitute schedule must show the total (zero when applicable) for each category. With regard to Schedule A, lines 17 through 21 need not be shown on the printout; but, the total of itemized deductions must be shown as line 22.

(b) Each money amount on a substitute schedule is preceded by a reference code identifying the respective schedule, part, line and item number. The reference characters for the line or item must be separated by one print space from those characters identifying the schedule and/or part.

(c) A decimal point is used for each money amount regardless of whether the amount is reported in dollars and cents or in whole dollars only.

Sec. 4. Additional Instructions.

.01 Form 1040.--Internal control numbers and identifying symbols of the computer preparer may be shown on the facsimile if the use of such numbers or symbols is acceptable to the taxpayer and/or his representative. If shown, such information must not be printed in the upper right margin.

.02 Schedules A&B, C, D, E&R, F, G and SE.--Descriptions for captions, lines, etc., required by the official schedules may be limited to one print line on the substitute by using abbreviations, contractions, and by omitting articles, prepositions etc. However, sufficient key words must be retained to permit ready identification of the caption, line or item.

(a) Explanatory details for entries shown on a substitute schedule may be included on the substitute, or submitted in the form of a supporting statement at the option of the preparer. If a supporting statement is submitted, it must be referenced to the schedule entry which it supports. The entry on the substitute schedule, in turn, must be cross-referenced to the supporting statement.

(b) Text prescribed for the official form which is solely instructional in nature e.g., "Attach this schedule to Form 1040," "See instructions," etc., may be omitted from the substitute schedule.

(c) Information for more than one schedule may be shown on the same printout page provided the information follows in the alphabetical sequence assigned to the official schedules. Conversely, information for any schedule may be continued on two or more pages if necessary.

Sec. 5. Other Information.

.01 The attached exhibits of Schedules A&B, and C illustrate the format, etc., of the requirements described in Sections 3 and 4 of this procedure. Explanatory text for specific items is presented as footnotes on the exhibits.

.02 Persons who desire to file computer-prepared Forms 1040 and related schedules developed according to these prescribed guidelines may do so without prior approval of the Service. However, if a preparer desires specific approval or wishes to deviate from these guidelines, samples of the proposed substitute forms should be forwarded by letter to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Attention: D:S:E, 1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20224, for consideration.

               SCHEDULE A(1040) ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS              19XX