Electronically Filing Form MW-3, 1099, or W-2

Filing Options

All options require you to have a GenTax withholding account with TAP Access. TAP FLE Accounts are recommended for bulk file only. You can file electronically through different account types, depending on your needs:

Bulk File Options

To submit bulk files, you must use software approved by the department. See the list of Approved Withholding Tax Software.

  • Annual registration, development, and testing with Information Governance E-Services is required.
  • You must also register through a Letter of Intent.
  • Questions? Contact dore-services@mt.gov.

TAP Wage Withholding Accounts (Self Filing and Third-Party Client Accounts)

Self Filing:

  • Use TAP Wage Withholding Account if you are filing only for your own business.
  • Recommended TAP access to the target withholding account, if registered in GenTax.

Third-Party Client Accounts:

  • Designed for accountants, payroll providers, or others filing on behalf of multiple businesses.
  • Recommended TAP Access to the target withholding account, if registered in GenTax.
  • Best for up to 25 clients with about 10–15 employees each.
  • Utilizes Accountant Center.

How do I use TAP to file a W-2?

  • Manual entry in TAP Withholding account
  • Single upload in TAP Withholding account

Do I use single option upload or manual entry to file a W-2?

Single upload is not recommended unless you are using software that meets the below specifications:

Manual Entry Options

  • W-2 & W-2C

How do I use TAP to file a 1099?

  • Manual entry in TAP Withholding account
  • Single upload in TAP Withholding account

Do I use single option upload or manual entry to file a 1099?

Single upload is not recommended unless you are using software that meets the below specifications:

Manual Entry Options

  • W2G, DIV, INT, R's, MISC, & NEC only

How do I use TAP to file an MW-3?

  • Manual entry in TAP Withholding account

Do I use single option upload or manual entry to file an MW-3?

  • No single upload options are available—manual entry only.

Manual Entry

  1. Select "View Returns and Payments"
  2. Select "File Return"

How do I use TAP to file an MW-4?

  • Manual entry in TAP - Login Only

  • Using a TAP Account electronic payments can be made by credit card of e-check

TAP File Process (FLE) Accounts – Bulk Filing up to 51 MB per file

  • Recommended for filing on behalf of multiple clients.
  • Third-party access to client accounts is also recommended.
  • TAP FLE accounts can accept up to 51 MB of data per upload of MW-3s, 1099s, and W2s

How do I use TAP to file a W-2?

  • Bulk upload in TAP FLE

Do I use single option upload or manual entry to file a W-2?

Check that the form you are using adheres to the specifications set forth in the SSA EFW2 or SSA EFW2C publications:

Manual Entry Options

  • Manual entry options are not available for FLE Accounts

How do I use TAP to file a 1099?

  • Bulk upload in TAP FLE

Do I use single option upload or manual entry to file a 1099?

Please ensure that the form you are using adheres to the specifications set forth in IRS Publication 1220:

Manual Entry Options

  • Manual entry options are not available for FLE Accounts.

How do I use TAP to file an MW-3?

  • Bulk upload in TAP FLE

Single Upload

  • Must be using an approved software or have software development capabilities. Please review the approved software vendor list. 
  • Approved software requires registration, development, and testing with DOR.
  • MW-3 submissions will not be accepted if they were not formatted using an approved vendor software.
  • For more information, contact E-Services at dore-services@mt.gov.

Manual Entry

  • Manual entry options are not available for FLE Accounts

  • Payments are to be made by ACH debit with MW-3 Return submissions only. Without 3rd-party access to client accounts, only non-login payments and the ACH debt with MW-3 return submissions are available in TAP

Web Service API – Bulk Filing greater than 51 MB per file

  • Recommended for larger corporations, submitting in the thousands of W2 or 1099 files.
  • If the reporter is submitting for multiple companies, where the size of the files would necessitate multiple uploads through TAP.
  • Contact E-Services at DORE-Services@mt.gov for more information.

How do I use TAP to file a W-2?

  • Bulk upload in Web Service API

Do I use single option upload or manual entry to file a W-2?

Check that the form you are using adheres to the specifications set forth in the SSA EFW2 or SSA EFW2C publications:

Manual Entry Options

  • Manual entry options are not available for Web Service API clients

How do I use TAP to file a 1099?

  • Bulk upload in Web Service API

Do I use single option upload or manual entry to file a 1099?

Please ensure that the form you are using adheres to the specifications set forth in IRS Publication 1220:

Manual Entry Options

  • Manual entry options are not available for Web Service API clients

How do I use TAP to file an MW-3?

  • Bulk upload in Web Service API

Single Upload

  • Must be using an approved software or have software development capabilities. Please review the approved software vendor list. 
  • Approved software requires registration, development, and testing with DOR.
  • MW-3 submissions will not be accepted if they were not formatted using an approved vendor software.
  • For more information, contact E-Services at dore-services@mt.gov.

Manual Entry

  • Manual entry options are not available for Web Service API clients

  • Payments Using Web Services API: Payments can be made by ACH debit with MW-3 return submissions only.
  • Payments Using Vendor Payment Service (VPS):
    • Stand-alone payments for withholding through a brand-new Web Service Application Program Interface (API).
    • Requires annual registration, development, and testing with Information Governance E-Services.
    • Registers through the Letter of Intent.

For more information, please contact dore-services@mt.gov