Item: Avalara
Rating: 5
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Avalara for calculating and reporting sales tax. Avalara provides the calculation for sales taxes and files and pays sales taxes.

Pros and Cons

Calculation of sales taxes on our products and services
Filing sales tax returns and payments
Integrating with NetSuite

providing integration with states for change in return frequency requirements
flexibility in timing and support for errors
amending returns and requesting refunds

Key Insights

Do you think Avalara delivers good value for the price?

Not sure

Are you happy with Avalara's feature set?

Did Avalara live up to sales and marketing promises?

Did implementation of Avalara go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy Avalara again?

Return on Investment

Avalara helps on sales taxes and reduces the cost of compliance
Challenge with filing frequency and inflexibility with returns costs us significantly in penalties and fees

Systems Integrated With

NetSuite

The NetSuite integration works smoothly. I was not involved with the implementation.

Usability

The actual tax calculations are opaque and it would be helpful to be able to query rates without creating an invoice

Additional Capabilities

Avalara Returns
Professional Services (nexus studies, registrations, backfiling, etc.)

We have used Avalara to file back returns. We have found it challenging to contact resources in order to discuss and resolve issues

Alternatives Considered

We have not used other products, but would be open to exploring.

Avalara did fine on the calculation and remitting of sales taxes and integrated well with NetSuite. However, we've had numerous challenges: 1) States changed filing frequency requirements and we did not receive notification and Avalara did not help with this. We received penalties and interest and it was significant work and effort to file past returns (i.e. state moving us from annual to monthly filing requirements). 2) We found an error on the 11th day that resulted in a significant overpayment of taxes which were not due until the 20th of the month and Avalara was unwilling or unable to help us. It cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales taxes which we have not yet received the refund on. 3) Smended return process is difficult and it is hard to get a hold of people in support.

Avalara - Improvements needed!

Modules Used

Overall Satisfaction with Avalara