Avalara doesn't provide what's promised in their contracts
We used Avalara to track, file, and remit state and international sales taxes.
Starting at $21 per month
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What is Avalara?
Avalara AvaTax connects to the software that businesses already have and delivers sales tax decisions based on precise geo-location in more than 12,000 taxing jurisdictions in the U.S.
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How Avalara Differs From Its Competitors
Awards
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Popular Features
- Sales and Use Taxes (295)8.888%
- Tax Exemption Processing (201)8.383%
- Tax Data Reporting (248)8.383%
- 3rd-Party Software Integrations (223)8.080%
Reviewer Pros & Cons
Pricing
Entry-level set up fee?
- Setup fee optional
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.avalara.com/us/en/products/…
Offerings
- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Starting price (does not include set up fee)
- $21 per month
Product Demos
Avalara AvaTax Demo
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Features
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Product Details
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- Integrations
- Competitors
- Tech Details
- Downloadables
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What is Avalara?
Avalara helps to make tax compliance faster,
easier, more accurate, and more reliable for 30,000+ business and government
customers in over 90 countries. Tax compliance automation software solutions
from Avalara leverage 1,200+ signed partner integrations across ecommerce, ERP, and other billing systems to power tax calculations, document
management, tax return filing, and tax content access. Visit avalara.com to learn more.
Avalara Features
Type of tax Features
- Supported: Sales and Use Taxes
- Supported: Cross-border Taxes
- Supported: VAT / GST Taxes
- Supported: Energy and Fuel Taxes
Tax Reporting & Compliance Features
- Supported: Geolocation for Tax Assessment
- Supported: 3rd-Party Software Integrations
- Supported: Tax Data Reporting
- Supported: Compliance Administration Management
- Supported: Tax Exemption Processing
- Supported: Tax Document Management
- Supported: Complex Tax Scenario Management
Additional Features
- Supported: Centralized tax management: Unifies sales and use tax calculation, document management, and returns preparation.
- Supported: Integrations: AvaTax connects with more than 700 prebuilt integrations to connect with accounting, ecommerce, POS, and other systems, plus an advanced API.
- Supported: Cloud-based: A software-as-a-service solution, AvaTax updates take effect as soon as they are deployed, helping to ensure the most current information is used.
- Supported: Exemption management: Certificates from vendors are stored electronically for access and to track expiration dates. Automatic renewal requests are sent out before certificates expire.
- Supported: Returns filing and remittance: Returns preparation and remittance in multiple jurisdictions. Avalara Returns can track and manage due dates and payment requirements, enabling users to pay returns with a single source of payment.
- Supported: Lodging: Lodging tax for hotel or rental property are managed with a solution that plugs into reservation software to deliver lodging tax calculations in real time as well as preparation, filing, and remittances of lodge tax returns.
- Supported: Communications: Tax calculations are delivered on an array of communications transactions by directly connecting to a current billing or ERP system, or to an in-house build via API.
- Supported: Beverage Alcohol: Simplified regulatory compliance for suppliers, distributors, and retailers in the beverage alcohol industry.
Avalara Screenshots
Avalara Video
Why Avalara?
Avalara Integrations
Avalara Competitors
Avalara Technical Details
| Deployment Types | Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Unspecified |
| Mobile Application | No |
Avalara Downloadables
Frequently Asked Questions
Avalara AvaTax connects to the software that businesses already have and delivers sales tax decisions based on precise geo-location in more than 12,000 taxing jurisdictions in the U.S.
Avalara starts at $21.
Vertex, Sovos Intelligent Compliance Cloud, and Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE are common alternatives for Avalara.
Reviewers rate Sales and Use Taxes highest, with a score of 8.8.
The most common users of Avalara are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
Comparisons
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Reviews and Ratings
(720)Attribute Ratings
Reviews
(126-150 of 413)Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
July 25, 2021
Implementation Specialists ROCK!
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use Avalara across the organization to collect data on sales tax and file all the sales tax returns as well as watching for Nexus. It helps IMMENSELY to track sale tax to ensure we are compliant with state sales tax laws.
- Ease of set up and use
- Registering in multiple states
- Customer service and implementation specialists are AMAZING!
- Links to Shopify Plus
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We have Avalara calculate our taxes for sales and then we use the reports so that we can then file our own returns. The reports are always spot on and makes filing our returns easy.
- The reports are easily accessible and easy to understand.
- My account manager is always willing to help.
- Avalara is always willing to back up their reports.
- One on one contact. That was particularly difficult when setting everything up at first.
- Customer service - when I have called for help they don't walk you through a process instead they refer you to a report.
July 20, 2021
Avalara Excise
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use [Avalara] in our excise tax department. It is used to produce all necessary returns and schedules for motor fuel transactions.
- Quick response to trouble tickets
- User guide is helpful for some situations that don't require heavy lifting
- Online videos (youtube) are very helpful
- Friendly attitude from case ticket support staff
- User guide could include real world examples (with screen shots) of issues and how to fix
- New and updated youtube videos would be great on issues industry has run into
- Avalara puts a lot of resources towards Sales Tax, and feels like they ignore Excise tax at times (the CRUSH conference was very heavy on Sales tax info and very little on Excise).
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
After the State of South Dakota vs Wayfair Supreme Court decision, we had no idea how we would be able to change our established software to collect sales tax. In researching this problem we found it was seriously more complicated that we ever imagined. We have a company that we contract with that takes care of our unclaimed property (which is another nightmare in and of itself) so I started looking for such a company that could help us with sales tax. We initially looked at Sovos but came to the conclusion that they were more geared for a larger company. One of my friends who works for the National Arbor Day Foundation told us about Avalara. It was a perfect fit. We use both Avatax and Certcapture in our business as a distributor of religious resources to members and entities of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
- Our system meshes with their AVI seamlessly.
- Using Avatax, we can give our customers a total order quote when they place an order.
- Avalara's webinars have been especially helpful.
- In the beginning our programmer wished to speak directly with a programmer at Avalara so he could have some specific questions answered. Instead he was referred to a forum where he had to post his questions. This delayed our implementation of Avatax.
- I'm not sure if there is help available to assist in learning how to reconcile sales tax returns or not. We basically had to figure out how to do that ourselves.
Avalara is used by the finance department to calculate sales tax for our customers in multiple states. Avalara reports are used each month to help us create monthly, quarterly, or annual sales tax returns.
- Calculate sales tax
- Create gross sales reports
- Create sales tax collected reports
- Canadian tax calculation
- Canadian gross sales reports
- Canadian tax collected reports
February 04, 2021
Avalara is hands-down the best tax provider in the industry - 100% relationship focused
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Avalara is a strategic partner / vendor fully integration with MultiSoft Corporation for the mutual benefits of all of our clients. Each client is introduced to Avalara during the on-boarding process as well as Avalara is notified of all new clients in order to contact immediately to begin creating a mutually beneficial relationship. Avalara is not only used by our clients in the USA but worldwide as well.
- Develops relationships early on
- Communicates and manages expectations with clients and MultiSoft
- Exceeds Expectations
- Simplifies the processes of sales tax, which can often be confusing, especially for start-ups
- None that we can think of at this time, they are phenomenal
December 14, 2020
Avalara - Can't do sales tax without it
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use Avalara returns and AvaTax to handle all of our sales and use tax compliance. Avalara does all of our sales tax returns, helps identify new areas where we may be subject to tax and helps us register with new taxing authorities. We use their AvaTax integrations with our accounting system and with our eCommerce platform. Sales tax compliance is a huge headache and we could not do it without Avalara.
- Files returns accurately.
- Calculates tax accurately.
- Stays on top of all changes in sales tax rates.
- Responds quickly to support cases.
- Highlights new areas where we may be subject to tax.
- AvaTax integrations with outside software could be improved. Mainly insight into how the integration is built and how Avalara's team communicates with Partners.
December 12, 2020
Well done Avalara
We use Avalara for our retail gift shop. It is used to calculate, process, collect and do state returns.
- State returns
- Calculating tax
- Tracking all our transactions
- Calculating for shipping to address changes
- Updating sales tax if there is a change to the reciept.
- Amount of time it takes for the tax returns to update for any corrected transactions
November 23, 2020
Avalara Review
Avalara is used across the company. We use it for keeping up to date on sales tax rates and the change in rates. <br>
- Updating sales tax rates.
- Generating sales tax returns.
- Reporting
November 22, 2020
Good Product, room for improvement in both Pricing/Support
We use Avatax for our retail business; we utilize their API via our own tax service within checkout on our website and in our retail POS, as well as the NetSuite Connecter within NetSuite ERP. We also just implemented Streamlined Sales Tax through them. The Avatax service functions fairly well although we do experience some occasional hiccups. We also use Avalara to file monthly returns.
- Automated & up-to-date sales tax calculation
- Able to integrate via API through our own services & integrates with NetSuite ERP
- Eases the process of filing returns
- Expensive - pricing outgrows your own business growth
- Pricing model is highly convoluted
- Often unhelpful generic support - not able to help with integration challenges
- Unexplained service outages or hiccups
November 19, 2020
Avalara Review
We are using Avalara to calculate sales tax in the USA and GST/HST/QST taxes in Canada. We also use it to store customer exemption certificates.
- Calculate sales tax.
- Store exemptions.
- File our tax returns on time.
- Send a lot of emails.
- Returning calls.
- Providing customer support.
- Provide more webinars.
November 18, 2020
Positive review.
We use Avatax and returns. We currently use it for one of our subsidiaries and as of 1/1/21 we'll be bringing on another subsidiary to use both Avatax and returns. We started selling online in January so the Avatax does the work of assigning the appropriate tax rate to each transaction.
- Returns and related reporting.
- Calculation of appropriate tax rate on each transaction.
- Quick response time on support questions.
- Ability to file Guam returns.
- Give a bit more guidance on local registrations.
- Support providing more specific responses as opposed to pointing us in the direction of reading about a topic in general.
November 18, 2020
Feeling taxed no more
Avalara reviews all transactions processed through our software, Prophet 21, and determines taxable status. Avalara is also creating and filing monthly returns.
- Transaction reviews.
- Accurate returns.
- Timely returns.
- Support - can’t talk to anyone who isn’t overseas. Terrible connection.
- Support - when instruction sheets are emailed, they rarely match with what’s seen on the screen.
November 18, 2020
Great Product, room to grow!
Across the organization, we are a SaaS based product and we find issues with having to do additional research as to what taxes we are exempt from. We also find difficulty with returns and auditing between our returns and what is owed to the states.
- Easy to file returns.
- Great customer service from account managers.
- Good tax information on each state.
- Assistance with audit between returns and what is owed.
- SaaS product information on Exemptions build within the platform.
- Update on your how to do steps for users. Many are out of date, when attempting to use.
November 18, 2020
Avalara review: good, working on great
It is being used in the accounting and I.T. departments. The I.T. department needs to make sure it is integrated with our website and the accounting department needs to make sure it is filing the sales tax returns correctly. When we sell across a third-party source, there is some difficultly that comes up.
- Timely filing
- Transaction reports
- State reports
- State Jurisdiction Knowledge
- City Jurisdiction Knowledge
- Timely notice responses
November 18, 2020
Accuracy and efficiency at its finest
We currently use Avalara for sales tax calculations in the US & Canada. It is being used by the Accounting Department. Avatax has significantly reduced time spent calculating sales tax while ensuring the accuracy of tax rates for states, cities, and various jurisdiction taxes.
- Up-to-date tax rates down to the local/jurisdiction level.
- User interface is easy to use.
- Provides notifications for states you may have Nexus in.
- Ability to export data.
- Assigning tax classification codes for items/services can be difficult as you may not find details that match the items/services you sell.
- Depending on your ERP system, you may have to use a third party to connect data to Avatax. The third party results in additional fees and attempts to make fees recurring.
- Not a con for Avalara, but, ensure your company has their databases set up properly or you will not be able to fully utilize all the perks and efficiency Avalara has to offer.
November 18, 2020
AvaTax and CertCapture: Thumbs Up. Processing Returns: Thumbs Down
The AvaTax function is used to compute sales tax on all of our orders. The Returns are used by our accounting team to review, approve, and file our sales tax returns. The CertCapture platform is used by our accounts receivable team who handles the customer exemption certificates. Avalara helps keep us a bit more organized.
- Tax calculations
- CertCapture features
- Training opportunities
- Customer service overall.
- Customer service response.
- Accurate filings on behalf of the customer.
November 18, 2020
Large sales tax exempt customer base
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Avalara is used in our order entry process. Because Avalara works directly with our software, it has provided our staff with sales tax information at the time of entry. Since most of our sales are to religious organizations, we also use CertCapture to maintain exempt certificates for our 50K customers.
- CertCapture
- Returns
- Transaction lookup
- Could use more instruction on bringing on non-SST states.
- More instructional material on reports like what is available and how to access.
- More instruction on using templates to enter transactions.
November 17, 2020
User Friendly
We use it for maintaining customer's exemption certificates, as well as running monthly return reports and reconciling with our general ledger.
- Calculates tax for our ERP system
- Manages our exemption certificates
- The interface of the Cert Capture site could be more streamlined.
November 17, 2020
Thanks Avalara!!
Avalara is used throughout our whole organization from shippers to salespeople. Each invoice has Avatax listed and Avatax has eased our ability to collect sales tax throughout the USA. Questions are addressed to me only as I'm the one trained on Avatax and Certcapture. It's enabled our company to feel confident collecting sales tax and there not being as many questions. Either they have a certificate or they don't. Either we collect sales tax in that state or we don't.
- Contain sales certificates
- Specify what's needed per customer
- Notify me when we hit our sales threshold
- Notify me of exemptions - errors - in customer entries
- It would be nice to have support be more specific on answers as it's vague and unclear sometimes
- Exemptions could be a bit more clear
- Cost is high also
November 17, 2020
Trusted service
My organization uses everyday Avalara and is one of the best tools and partners for our taxes. Is been used across the whole organization, but with special emphasis in the sales and revenue department. Avalara addresses the tax problem, especially when the company sells its products in different states and even outside of the United States.
- Calculate sales tax
- Filling and pay the returns
- Constantly support and integrate with the ERP system
- Training and research
- On time reports and alerts
- Budget friendly
- More options to reduce costs.
November 17, 2020
Avalara for Medical goods vendors
We are using Avalara's AvaTax in our ERP system (GP) and on our web presence. It is used by multiple departments. We are also using the CertCapture for handling non-taxable entities. Avalara's tools for integrating their software with our platforms has been quite good.
- Implementation - we sell a wide range of products, so getting items set up was a big deal.
- Supports our ERP system.
- Allows us to to track entities and certificates with CertCapture.
- Without Avalara, our accounting department would have to be bigger.
- While tax calculation is a must, their is a time cost when we must query Avalara's system for the tax information. During parts of the day, especially EOD can be slow, relatively.
- Their growth sometimes has exceeded their systems for a period. They do scale quickly.
November 17, 2020
Highly recommend Avalara!
We currently use Avalara to calculate all of our customer invoices. It is being used across the whole organization and is connected to our ERP system. It has helped us become more compliant with our sales tax. Since we use Avalara for Returns as well, it has taken that responsibility off of me. Avalara has taught me a ton about tax too.
- Timely Returns
- Communications
- Solving support issues quickly.
- Communication from our account manager on new products.
November 17, 2020
Quick, Easy, and Reliable
We use it in the accounting department for reconciliation and filing of tax returns. We also use it in the billing department for adding tax to invoices for billing purposes. It's a great platform to verify that we are adding the correct tax to customer invoices and that we are filing and paying the correct amount to each state with nexus.
- Tax filing
- Updates on tax changes
- Support
- Support
- Support
November 17, 2020
Avalara review from AR viewpoint
We currently use Avalara within the Accounting department, as well as at the branch level where our coordinators are processing invoices and calculating tax via the Avatax module in our ERP system. In Accounting we are processing exemption certificates and returns in Avalara.
- Communication with ERP system (SAP B1)
- Accuracy of returns
- Need measures in place to prevent duplication of certs (especially at the beginning data dump)
- Need better "clean up" options, such as being able to delete or stop multiple certs within a customer.