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The least taxing way to handle taxes
January 19, 2018

The least taxing way to handle taxes

John Free, CPA | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Modules Used

  • AvaTax

Overall Satisfaction with Avalara AvaTax

I thought the implementation was fairly straightforward. We started AvaTax on a standard ERP system with easy integration. Later we switched to a more custom solution and wrote the APIs to integrate.
Once the APIs are written and integration complete the system almost runs itself. The online administration is very straightforward and user-friendly.
We use AvaTax to calculate, invoice customers and remit sales and use tax to approximately 30 states. We have an interface with our ERP system that automates the process. That means we don't have to maintain 30 tax tables with hundreds of jurisdictions and do not have to manually prepare 30 sales and use tax returns.
  • AvaTax calculates the correct sales tax based on the street address entered. Not having to maintain tax tables is a huge time savor and makes it possible for us to stay in compliance.
  • AvaTax prepares the monthly and quarterly tax returns eliminating the need for my staff to manually prepare 30 returns all with different formats and levels of information required.
  • AvaTax provides a file upload option as a means for us to remit use tax to our home state. This is necessary since our ERP system does not integrate the PO or AP systems to AvaTax.
  • I find that sometimes customer service or our account manager are a bit slow to respond.
  • The annual renewal process is not as efficient as it should be. Making changes to the account, adding or changes options, is particularly painful.
  • Having the most current and up to date tax tables
  • Manage sales tax compliance with one staff, would totally consume her time if done all in-house
Yes, we utilize both the return filing and certificate management. Both have taken an administrative load off my staff. They can focus more on the intricacies of various state law and less time dealing with completing forms and managing certificates.
We only looked at one alternative and honestly, at the moment I can't recall the name. From my research, Avalara is the clear leader in sales and use tax and was the obvious choice.
AvaTax is especially useful when you are registered to collect sales and use tax in more than one state. Trying to maintain multiple tax tables and complete multiple forms is a daunting task at best. Even if you do not have an ERP interface and you are manually entering the sales tax it is worth it from the stand point of having up to date tax tables and having the returns prepared for you.