Idaho.gov - The official website of the State of Idaho

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News, Helpful Hints & Account Management for Access Idaho Subscribers

Winter 2007 Access Press Newsletter Feature Stories:

• Idaho.gov Ranked 2nd in U.S.
• W-2 Filing Now Online
• Unclaimed Property Reporting
• UI Tax Filing/Payment Reminder
• Resolve to Update Your Account's User List
• Board of Medicine Website Among Top 10

PDF Version of the Winter 2007 Newsletter

Idaho.gov Named Second Best State Website

The National Policy Research Council, in collaboration with Computerworld magazine, recently rated Idaho's official website (idaho.gov) as the second best state website in the country.

The National Policy Research Council, a Washington-based nonprofit think tank, assessed each state website based on 25 features in seven categories: usability, citizen responsiveness, accessibility for disabled visitors, information tools, online procurement, job opportunities, and the availability and functionality of interactive permits and payments.

“Providing citizens and businesses with convenient access to information and services is what responsive government should be doing,” said Idaho Lieutenant Governor James E. Risch. “It is very gratifying to learn that we are not only doing that, but that we are doing it exceedingly well.”

According to Computerworld, the highest grades generally were awarded to websites that provide easy access to a wide range of services from their home pages, rather than buried several pages deep.

Launched in 2000, idaho.gov has grown to include more than 60 online personal and professional services and is managed on behalf of the state by Idaho Information Consortium (d.b.a. Access Idaho), a Boise-based subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC (Nasdaq: EGOV).

“Thousands of citizens and businesses use the state portal 24⁄7 to obtain government information and services,” said Pam Ahrens, former Director of the Idaho Department of Administration. “They can file and pay taxes, renew professional licenses, register vehicles, check road conditions, and help protect their children by searching the Department of Correction offender database. Our web portal is easy to navigate, our online services are well organized, and users can find the information they need quickly.”

Online usage rates substantiate Ahrens' claim. The Idaho Transportation Department handled more than 1 million internet transactions in 2006, and the Idaho State Tax Commission has seen a 680 percent increase in online tax payments over the past five tax seasons. Fiscally, state web revenue exceeded $80 million in 2006.

The National Policy Research Council's comprehensive eGovernment report card was compiled by professional researchers and conducted without input from state government.

New: File W-2s Online

Employers can now upload and file their W-2s online to the Idaho State Tax Commission at tax.idaho.gov.

The paperless application eliminates the need for employers to send disks, tapes, or paper forms to the Tax Commission. The free online service also shows an employer's filing history for up to three years.

To submit W-2 withholding statements, go to the “Electronic Filing” page and click on “File Withholding Returns Online for Free.” Files need to be sent in the same MMREF format required by the IRS for federal W-2s. Most payroll software can produce this format.

For more details, contact Robin Allen at 208-334-7783, or send an e-mail to efilehelp@tax.idaho.gov.

Tax Commission Launches Online Unclaimed Property Reporting for Businesses

Businesses can now report unclaimed property to the state of Idaho on the Idaho State Tax Commission's website at tax.idaho.gov/filing.htm.

The secure, paperless application allows companies to report property they hold that hasn't been claimed by owners. It also lets them inform the state they have no unclaimed property to report for the year. Companies can file a report for one or more business entities.

Unclaimed property includes stocks, bonds, mutual funds, bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, utility deposits, traveler's checks, contents from deposit boxes, and other items that haven't been claimed.

If property is due, the application accepts payments by credit card, paper check, or ACH debit. It also displays online filing and credit card payment history for up to three years.

Unclaimed property reports are due by Nov. 1 of each year. If you have questions about reporting unclaimed property, call the Tax Commission's Unclaimed Property Program at 334-7623 in the Boise area or toll free at 800-972-7660, ext. 7623.

Quarterly Unemployment Insurance Taxes Due January 31

Don't forget that 4th quarter 2006 unemployment insurance tax filings and payments are due to the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor by Jan. 31, 2007. File⁄pay quickly and easily online using your Access Idaho username and password. If you're a first time online UI Tax filer, you'll also need a PIN from Commerce and Labor. For more details and to tour the demo, visit idaho.gov/begin/uitax.

Increase Your Access-ability: Useful Ideas for Subscribers

New Year's Resolution: Update Your User List

The new year is a good time to check for old employees on your account's user list. The administrative contact person on your Access Idaho subscriber account can view and edit your account's users online by following the steps below. If you don't know who your account's administrative contact is, call Access Idaho at (Boise area) 332-0102 or (toll free) 877-443-3468.

1. Go to idaho.gov/subscriber.
2. Click the (Manage Users) link on the right-hand side.
3. Sign in using your username and password.
4. Click the “remove” option to the far right of the user(s) you wish to delete.

Note: To add a user, scroll down below the list of users and follow the “Add A User” instructions.

Idaho Board of Medicine Website Among Top 10 in U.S.

The Idaho State Board of Medicine's website at www.bom.state.id.us ranked 8th in a national study released recently by Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group.

Public Citizen evaluated each state's profile and disciplinary information using criteria that fit into two basic categories: physician information available to consumers, and methods consumers can retrieve disciplinary information about physicians.

In addition to providing information on physicians and 6 other types of health professionals licensed through the state, the Board of Medicine's website allows citizens and businesses to verify a license, order a license verification, check a profile, and view/download Board actions.