Prepared by:
Quality Reporting Service Center
Railroad Retirement Board
844 North Rush Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092
Phone: |
(312) 751-4992 |
Fax: |
(312) 751-7190 |
E-mail: |
QRSC@rrb.gov |
Please share this information with the appropriate members of your staff who file service and
compensation reporting forms for employees of your organization.
Overview The RRB has been
developing an Internet site specifically for employers to replace information
currently filed on paper forms. The site is called the Employer Reporting System
(ERS) and currently includes three forms Form BA-4, Report of Compensation
Adjustments, Form BA-6a, BA-6 Address Report, and
Form GL-129a, Record of
Employer Determination on Employee Protest) and one report (BA-4 Summary
Report.) Some of your fellow employers were testing the site earlier this year
and their comments were very favorable. If you choose to file Forms BA-4 and/or
BA-6a on the Internet, we are sure that you also will be favorably impressed.
Highlights of the site Access to
ERS is roles-based which means that each user's access is tailored to the role,
or work, they do at their company. Access levels are assigned by the company.
Therefore the employer retains control over what forms their employees can view
and submit. When you create Form BA-4 for an individual, the form is
pre-filled with the service and compensation data on record at the RRB for that
individual and year. As you enter an adjustment, the screen will calculate and
display the new total. This should improve the accuracy of the adjustments
because you can see the result before you file the form. Form BA-4 also
includes a Summary Report intended for use in validating your taxes. The form
accumulates the BA-4 compensation by processing date and creates monthly and
yearly totals. In 2004, quarterly totals will also be available. Form GL-129a
is linked to the Internet BA-4 which will be pre-filled based on your response
to the GL-129a. This saves time and improves accuracy. If applicable, the RRB
can send Form BA-6a to an employer as a request for a missing address and the
employer can respond on line.
Instructions This letter provides
general information. Detailed instructions covering Internet access and
reporting are in a new Parts IX of the Reporting Instructions to Employers. To
access the instructions, use the following hyperlinks to the table of contents
for the "Rail Employers" or "Labor
Employers" and then scroll down to Part IX
in the respective instructions.
How to apply for access To apply for access, file
Form BA-12,
Application for Employer Reporting Internet Access. Complete all sections of the
form except Section D, read the Access and Security Guidelines, and sign the
certification. Have your supervisor or manager complete Section D. Enclosed are
copies of Form BA-12 as well as the Access and Security Guidelines, and an
explanation of access levels. The form must be signed by an official of the
company who has signature authority to sign RRB forms. The head of the company
and those persons designated on Form G-117A "Designation of Contact Official"
are assumed to have signature authority.
Form BA-12 cannot be completed or filed on the web site. To deter
fraudulent use of the site, the application must include original signatures
(no reproductions) and be transmitted by US Mail or express mail carrier. For
security reasons, facsimiles are not acceptable. Within three to five days of
receipt of an acceptable application, the RRB will mail your user ID and
password along with instructions for accessing the site.
Questions? If you have any
questions or want more information, contact: System Administrator at
312-751-4833, or
Quality Reporting Service Center at (312) 751-4992, or
Send e-mail questions or comments to webcomments@rrb.gov.
Enclosures with hard copy
Form BA-12, "Application for Employer Reporting Internet Access"
Security Guidelines
Explanation of Access Levels |