E-File Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can every filer use the program?
A. Every filer is in the database. In a very few cases, technical, network or security problems make it impossible for a particular computer setup to use the program. If you encounter that, try another computer.
Q. Is that a letter O or a number zero in my User ID?
A. The first five characters are letters. The next six are numbers.
Q. What is the advantage of filing electronically?
A. When you use electronic filing, your browser will load an electronic Financial Disclosure Statement. If you filed electronically the year before, your data from the prior year is displayed so that you only need to update the data. The program also checks your form for completeness before allowing it to be submitted. An answer to each question is required. If any of the required fields are left blank, you will be asked to complete the missing information.
Q. Can I file from the office? From home?
A. You may work on the form and revise your answers over as many sessions as you wish and from wherever you can use the Internet. You should file from the office only if your office policy allows you to. As a security measure, your data is not saved on the computer you use. When you stop work and save the form using the "log off" button, your data is encrypted and transmitted to our secure server where it remains encrypted until you log in again and download your form and data.
Q. How do I print out a paper copy of my form?
A. If you have a printer attached to your computer, you may print a paper copy of your form. Use the "View FDS Form" button to preview your form and then use your browser's "Print" function on the browser "File" menu. Before you print, click anywhere on your form (like right on your name in your form) to make sure your form is active for printing. You may print in either landscape or portrait mode. 8.5 X 11-inch paper may be used. If your browser offers a page preview you will be able to see how many pages your form will require. A minimal form requires six pages. You may complete your form on a computer without a printer, submit it, and then later (until December 31) log on from a computer that has a printer to make your print.
Q. How do I know you actually received the form?
A. When you complete the form, a receipt will be sent to the e-mail address that you specified. Please note that Earthlink, AOL and some other providers and programs are now using spam filters that may bar our receipt. If you have anti-spam software, tell it to accept mail from cpi@nyintegrity.org. If you do not receive a confirming e-mail within 24 hours of your submittal, e-mail or call the help desk at 518-408-3976 or 1-800-873-8442.
Q. Where can I get help for this program?
A. The most comprehensive help we have is an on-line help desk which includes this FAQ section. Commission staff can offer limited help by telephone, however our staff are not computer technicians and cannot help you with problems in your own software or your Internet connection. Commission staff may be reached by telephone from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. on business days. During peak filing periods, staff is available until 5:00 P.M. Call 518-408-3976 or 1-800-873-8442 and ask for the help desk. E-mail help is available from cpi@nyintegrity.org We hope to answer overnight e-mails by noon the next business day, e-mail received on a business morning by 3:00 P.M. that day, and e-mail received by 4:00 P.M. on business day by 5:00 P.M. that day.
Q. How secure is Internet filing?
A. Many merchants, banks and even the Internal Revenue Service take financial data over the Internet. The Commission has given a top priority to the security of financial disclosure statements. All data is encrypted during transmission, using the strongest encryption available to the public. On receipt, the data is locked in a secure server. The combination of a user ID and password severely limit access to your data. Even the computer staff who wrote the program cannot access your data because of the security of a password.
Q. Who can file electronically?
A. All people who are required to file an annual Financial Disclosure Statement with the Commission, and who are in our database, may use electronic filing. Of course you must have a computer, browser and access to the Internet. The database is updated every March. All people in the database are sent two letters by email, one with their User ID and the other with their password. If you receive either letter, you are in the database and can file electronically. Those people who recently joined State service and do not receive letters from the Commission cannot use the electronic filing program until they are added to the database. At that time, we send then information about electronic filing. If you have filed in prior years but changed your address and did not receive our letters, call the Commission and ask for the Financial Disclosure Unit.
Q. Do I have to complete the form all at once?
Can't I do part today and part tomorrow?
A. Your work is saved each time you use the program. You may take several days if you wish, however you will not be able to use the program after December 31 each year until it reopens the following April, and then you not be able to access your prior-year form.
Q. It says "click here to continue" but when I click nothing happens. What should I do?
A. We believe this problem has been fixed. If you experience it, please report it by e-mail or by calling the Commission help desk at 518-408-3976 or 1-800-873-8442.
Sometimes, but not always, when this occurred while using a Netscape browser, the problem went away on using Internet Explorer. However Explorer was also affected in some instances. Only Internet Explorer 5 and up and Firefox work. Other browsers such as Opera and Mozilla do not work well, if at all.
Age of the system and memory resources may also have contributed to the problem in some cases but some new systems with large memory also had the problem. There was a high trouble rate among Mac users, even those with new, powerful systems.
Other than changing browser or computer, we have only these cures and it is possible that none will work:
1.) Restart computer and use it with no other programs running in background.
2.) Change computer (often home works when office will not and vice versa).
Q. I don't have my User ID or Password. Where do I get them?
A. Call or e-mail the help desk at 518-408-3976 or 1-800-873-8442. We are open from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. on business days. During peak filing periods, staff is available until 5:00 P.M.