Avalara Reviews & Insights

Summary

Reviewers infrequently mentioned other products they have used or evaluated that are comparable to Avalara. Across a large corpus of 111 reviews, specific alternative solutions appeared in a very small fraction of responses. Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE was cited by 2% of reviewers as another product they had experience with, suggesting it is a known alternative in the market. Similarly, QuickBooks, encompassing both its Online and Desktop Pro versions, was also mentioned by 2% of reviewers as a product they had used or evaluated. A small segment of reviewers, 2%, also identified various Intuit products, such as Intuit Online Payroll and Intuit Enterprise Suite, indicating that solutions from this vendor are also considered in the same competitive landscape. The limited number of mentions for each of these products suggests that while they are recognized alternatives, a substantial portion of reviewers did not explicitly name other systems they had considered.

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Summary

Reviews indicate that organizations leverage Avalara for a range of services beyond core tax calculation, with managed returns filing and exemption certificate management being the most frequently cited. Avalara Returns is utilized by 7% of reviewers, who find it very helpful for their business operations. Similarly, CertCapture and Exemption Certificate Management (ECM) are employed by 6% of reviewers, primarily for time savings, particularly through features like autofill for multi-jurisdictional certificates. Professional Services, including nexus studies, registrations, and backfiling, are also used by 6% of reviewers, with some expressing interest in expanding their use to include 1099/W-2 platforms and license management. While some reviewers use Avalara for tax calculations, this specific service receives mixed sentiment from the 2% of reviewers who mentioned it, with satisfaction levels varying from very good to just okay.

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Summary

Reviewers frequently discuss integrating Avalara with various business systems, though no single integration type is a dominant theme across the 111 reviews. ERP software integration is the most frequently cited, mentioned by 6% of reviewers, with some noting custom API development for bespoke systems. Ecommerce platforms and NetSuite are each mentioned by 5% of reviewers, indicating a notable interest in connecting Avalara to online sales channels and a widely used ERP solution. Some integrations, particularly with NetSuite, are described as being in progress, suggesting ongoing implementation efforts rather than fully established connections. QuickBooks integration is also noted by 2% of reviewers, highlighting its use with a common accounting software. The discussions indicate a varied landscape of integration efforts, from established connections to ongoing projects and custom solutions.

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Summary

Avalara has largely delivered a positive return on investment for businesses, primarily by significantly reducing the time and effort associated with tax compliance tasks. A substantial 50% of reviewers highlighted considerable time savings, particularly in sales tax calculations, 1099 filing, and audit preparation. This efficiency gain often translated into reduced operational costs, with 17% of reviewers noting direct cost savings, such as lower expenses compared to alternative services or internal processing. Furthermore, Avalara is frequently credited with enhancing accuracy and ensuring compliance, a critical factor for 16% of the reviewers who expressed confidence in correct tax calculations and adherence to regulations. While the overall sentiment regarding value is positive, a small segment of reviewers (6%) expressed mixed feelings about the cost, suggesting that while the benefits are clear, the expense can be a consideration for some. The platform's ease of use, noted by 10% of reviewers, further contributes to its positive impact by simplifying complex tax processes.

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Summary

An analysis of 111 product reviews indicates that users frequently integrate a range of accounting and productivity software alongside Avalara, with the QuickBooks ecosystem being the most prominent. QuickBooks Online is the most commonly cited external software, mentioned by 14% of reviewers, often in its Advanced or Payroll versions, highlighting its role in cloud-based financial management. The broader QuickBooks platform, encompassing both online and desktop iterations, is referenced by 11% of reviewers, underscoring its widespread adoption for core accounting functions. Beyond financial tools, Microsoft 365 is a significant companion application, cited by 7% of reviewers, suggesting a common need for integrated office productivity suites. Other accounting solutions, such as Xero, are also noted by 5% of reviewers, indicating diversity in financial management preferences. Additionally, QuickBooks Desktop, including Premier and Enterprise versions, is mentioned by 5% of reviewers, reflecting its continued use for specific on-premise accounting needs. These patterns collectively illustrate a common technology stack centered on robust financial management and general business productivity.

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Summary

Avalara is primarily utilized by organizations to address critical tax compliance challenges, particularly in the areas of 1099 filing and sales tax calculation. A significant portion of reviewers, 30%, highlight its effectiveness in streamlining the complex process of preparing and submitting various 1099 forms for contractors and clients. This is closely related to 1099 form processing, cited by 17% of reviewers, who value its ability to manage W-9 collection and efficiently handle numerous forms. Concurrently, 23% of reviewers depend on Avalara for accurate sales tax calculation, especially for businesses with diverse products or operations across multiple jurisdictions. A quarter of reviewers consistently praise the platform's overall ease of use, noting its intuitive interface, simple data upload, and efficient error correction capabilities. The positive sentiment around the 1099 filing process, mentioned by 15% of reviewers, reinforces its role in simplifying regulatory complexities and reducing year-end stress by automating federal and state submissions.

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Summary

Reviewers frequently identified several areas where Avalara could enhance its service and product offerings. The most commonly cited area for improvement, mentioned by 13% of reviewers, was customer service, with concerns around response times, inconsistent support quality, and the need for more direct communication channels. Reviewers also pointed to opportunities for enhancing the user interface and overall user experience, cited by 7% of the feedback, particularly regarding ease of making corrections and bulk transaction processing. Integrations, especially with QuickBooks Online, emerged as another key area for refinement, noted by 6% of reviewers, who described issues with data duplication and incomplete imports. Furthermore, the pricing structure and overall cost were a significant concern for 5% of the reviewers, who described it as high, particularly for smaller businesses, and expressed a desire for more transparent and bundled service options. Finally, 4% of reviewers suggested improvements in reporting and data extraction capabilities, seeking greater flexibility and more comprehensive reports. These areas collectively highlight opportunities for Avalara to refine its operational efficiency, user experience, and value proposition.

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Summary

Avalara is highly regarded by reviewers, primarily for the ease with which it facilitates tax-related processes. Nearly half of the reviewers, 47%, specifically highlighted the platform's user-friendliness, emphasizing its simple interface and straightforward navigation for various tasks. A significant portion of the positive feedback, cited by 18% of reviewers, also centered on the platform's ability to automate tax calculations, including sales and use tax, accurately adapting to complex jurisdictional rules. Reviewers frequently commend Avalara's specific capabilities for 1099 filing, noted by 12% of the sample, and the efficient handling of 1099 forms, mentioned by 10%. The general efficiency of filing and processing, also cited by 10% of reviewers, further contributes to the perception of Avalara as a valuable tool for simplifying compliance. These aspects collectively underscore the product's effectiveness in streamlining tax operations and reducing manual effort for users.

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