Forms initially get read by AI/OCR.
It doesn’t matter if answers are computer-printed or handwritten. It doesn’t matter if you use all uppercase. What matters is if it’s completely legible - no confusion between c e, a o, uppercase lowercase L i, 5 6, etc. No cursive handwriting unless it’s a signature.
if it’s computer-printed, it should be a very clear print. No smudgy prints. No tiny fonts that make it difficult to distinguish an e from c o a, I from i, etc.
Don’t write anything outside the boxes.
Make sure the footers (showing form number, revision date nd page numbers) are visible. Make sure all the pages of a form have the same revision date on them.
Don’t intentionally delete a revision date on the footer for the purpose of inserting it into a form with a different revision date.
if you have a lawyer or paid preparer doing the paperwork for you, make sure they fill out the forms clearly. A lot of them just stamp names/addresses/phone numbers etc. a lot of times, the imprints aren’t complete/clear.
Also, quite frequently, these offices have prefilled the forms with the names of ALL of their lawyers/preparers. Then, they just circle the name of the actual lawyer/preparer who did the work. Don’t circle names. Cross out (strike through) the names of those who shouldn’t be on the form.
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Write your answers completely. If filling out addresses, put in the address. Don’t just type/write “same as on page X item so and so”. Don’t make the adjudicating officers have to go back and forth pages just to see your answers.
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Read the instructions (it’s usually a separate document) for the form you’re filling out.