Avalara Reviews & Insights

Summary

Across 111 reviews, only a very small percentage of reviewers reported using or evaluating other products similar to Avalara. Among those who did, the mentioned products primarily consisted of accounting and tax software solutions. Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE was noted by 2% of reviewers as an alternative or previously used system. Similarly, QuickBooks products, including both Online and Desktop versions, were cited by 2% of reviewers. Another 2% of reviewers mentioned various Intuit products, such as Intuit Online Payroll and Intuit Enterprise Suite. The limited number of mentions for alternative products suggests that most reviewers either did not use comparable solutions or did not choose to elaborate on them in their feedback.

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Summary

Reviewers frequently utilize Avalara for a range of tax compliance solutions beyond basic calculation, with managed returns filing, exemption certificate management (ECM), and professional services being the most commonly cited. Avalara Returns is used by 7% of reviewers, primarily for its managed return filing capabilities, which users find very helpful. Exemption certificate management, via CertCapture and ECM, is highlighted by 6% of reviewers for its positive impact on efficiency, particularly through features like autofill for multijurisdictional certificates. An additional 6% of reviewers engage Avalara for professional services, including nexus studies, registrations, and backfiling, with some also exploring other offerings like 1099/W-2 platforms and license management. While tax calculation is a core offering, mentioned by 2% of reviewers, sentiment regarding this specific service is mixed, with one reviewer describing their experience with various services as "very good, poor, and just ok." This suggests that while Avalara's specialized services are generally well-received, the foundational tax calculation service elicits a more varied response.

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Summary

Reviewers frequently discuss integrating Avalara with various business systems, with ERP software integrations being the most commonly cited, mentioned by 6% of reviewers. These integrations often involve custom solutions for bespoke ERP systems or established platforms like Infor-Visual. Ecommerce platforms also represent a notable integration point, cited by 5% of reviewers, indicating Avalara's role in managing sales tax for online transactions. Specific accounting and ERP solutions like NetSuite are in the process of being integrated by 5% of reviewers, suggesting ongoing efforts to connect Avalara with widely used financial management tools. While less frequent, QuickBooks integration was also mentioned by 2% of reviewers, highlighting its use with smaller business accounting software. The overall sentiment across these integration efforts is mixed, reflecting both successful implementations and ongoing processes or considerations.

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Summary

Avalara significantly contributes to users' business objectives primarily through substantial time savings, cost efficiencies, and enhanced accuracy in tax compliance. A majority of reviewers, 50%, report considerable time reductions in tasks such as sales tax calculation, state return filing, and 1099 processing, often converting weeks of manual work into mere hours or minutes. This efficiency translates into direct cost savings for 17% of reviewers, who note the service is more affordable than alternatives and reduces expenses related to in-house processing. Furthermore, 16% of reviewers appreciate Avalara's role in improving the accuracy of sales tax calculations and ensuring compliance with complex regulations, providing peace of mind and reducing the risk of errors. The platform's ease of use, cited by 10% of reviewers, further supports these benefits by simplifying tax-related tasks. Additionally, 6% of reviewers highlight Avalara's contribution to audit readiness, reporting positive experiences during state audits. While the overall sentiment is strongly positive regarding ROI, a minority of reviewers, 4%, express concerns about poor customer service and a perceived lack of ownership from the vendor, suggesting potential challenges in support.

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Summary

Reviewers frequently utilize a range of software alongside Avalara, primarily for accounting and general business operations. Accounting platforms, particularly those from the QuickBooks ecosystem, are prominently mentioned, with QuickBooks Online cited by 14% of reviewers and QuickBooks Desktop by 5%. The broader "QuickBooks" platform, encompassing both online and desktop variants, was also noted by 11% of respondents. Beyond accounting, Microsoft 365 emerged as a significant tool for general business productivity, mentioned by 7% of reviewers. Another accounting solution, Xero, was also identified by 5% of the review sample. The prevalence of these tools suggests a common reliance on established financial management and productivity suites within businesses.

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Summary

Avalara is widely adopted by organizations primarily for tax compliance, with a strong focus on simplifying and automating the filing of 1099 forms and calculating sales tax. A significant portion of reviewers, 30%, highlight its utility for 1099 filing, praising its ability to streamline a process often perceived as complex and time-consuming. This ease of use is a recurring theme, noted by 25% of reviewers, who describe the platform as user-friendly and efficient for various tax-related tasks. Beyond 1099s, Avalara also serves as a critical tool for sales tax calculation, with 23% of the reviews indicating its use for determining correct tax rates across multiple jurisdictions and product types. Reviewers frequently report that the product addresses business problems related to manual tax processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance while saving considerable time and effort.

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Summary

Reviewers frequently identified several areas where Avalara could improve, primarily focusing on customer service, user interface, and software integration. Customer service, mentioned by 13% of reviewers, often involved concerns about response times, the quality of initial support interactions, and the need for more specialized assistance. The user interface also presented challenges for 7% of users, particularly regarding navigation, making corrections, and the efficiency of bulk data entry. Integration with other software, especially QuickBooks, was a point of concern for 6% of reviewers, who noted issues with data synchronization and duplication. Additionally, pricing was a negative point for 5% of reviewers, who found the costs high, particularly for smaller businesses, and desired greater transparency. State registrations and filings also showed room for improvement for 3% of reviewers, who noted coordination issues between registration and filing processes and inflexibility regarding deadlines.

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Summary

Avalara is frequently cited by reviewers for its effectiveness in simplifying tax-related processes, particularly its user-friendly interface and automation capabilities. A significant 47% of reviewers highlight the platform's overall ease of use, noting its straightforward navigation and simple data entry for various tax forms. The system's ability to streamline the often-complex task of 1099 management and filing is also a key strength, mentioned by 22% of the review sample. This includes simplifying the creation, correction, and electronic submission of 1099 forms. Furthermore, Avalara's robust sales tax calculation and automation features are appreciated by 18% of reviewers, who value its accuracy in determining tax rates across different jurisdictions and its ability to integrate with existing systems for automatic calculations. The general efficiency in filing and processing, cited by 10% of reviewers, alongside its contributions to tax compliance, noted by 7%, underscore Avalara's role in helping businesses manage their tax obligations effectively and accurately.

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