Every year when preparing the tax forms (W3, 1096, 1099) for our small business we are required to obtain pre-printed forms because of some "special" red ink on them. We have to order them ahead of time, or go to the local office supply store and purchase them. It's the same story every year.
We should be able to simply print out blank forms on our laser or ink jet printer, or print completed forms from a small business accounting program like QuickBooks. If we can put a man on the moon, the IRS can develop a scanner that can read our forms! Why should MILLIONS of small businesses have to obtain special forms when just ONE government agency could upgrade their ability to read forms printed from the lasers and inkjets that all these small businesses have?