An important and new component of the Streamline initiative is the certification of sales tax administration software for business use. There are two types of software and each type provides unique benefits for business. The first type of software is known as a Certified Service Provider (CSP). The second type of software is known as a Certified Automated System (CAS).
A CSP is designed to allow a business to nearly outsource its sales tax administration function. The following is the definition of a CSP from the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA): “A
n agent certified under the Agreement to perform all the seller's sales and use tax functions, other than the seller's obligation to remit tax on its own purchases.” The software system of a CSP knows what products and services are taxable, knows the tax rate at which they are taxable, can interface with your accounting system, and will file the tax return and pay the tax on your behalf. Each state that is a member of the Streamline initiative has evaluated the accuracy of the tax decisions and is willing to stand by the accuracy of the decisions they have evaluated. In addition, the states that are members of the Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board will pay the CSP to provide their sales tax administration service to businesses who meet the definition of a
volunteer
.
Companies that have
achieved the distinction of being Certified Service Providers and under contract with the Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board. The following, in alphabetical order, is a description of each company as written by each company.
AccurateTax
- Managing your sales tax liability has never been as easy as with the TaxTools solution from AccurateTax.com. TaxTools is readily available for integration with your online shopping cart solution. With a track record of over ten years of delivering high quality, successful implementations for the entire Sales Tax Lifecycle, AccurateTax.com has worked with customers throughout the SMB arena and the Fortune 500.
As a Certified Service Provider, the TaxTools solution is focused on delivering top quality and SSTP-compliant services that are affordable and easy to use. The AccurateTax.com TaxTools suite brings SSTP-certified rules and transactions to the online point of sale for retailers of all market sizes and makes it easy for you, as a retailer to ensure you are calculating, collecting, reporting and remitting the most accurate tax information possible.
AccurateTax.com TaxTools are easily integrated into your online stores, as we offer ready-made, plug-in solutions for a variety of software platforms, as well as a custom API for any other integration need you may have. To learn more about AccurateTax.com, please call us at 866-400-2444, email info@accuratetax.com, or visit http://www.accuratetax.com.
ADP Taxware:
ADP Taxware has provided sales, use and value added tax compliance solutions for over twenty-five years. We are a Certified Service Provider (CSP), and additionally offer a Certified Automated System (CAS). ADP Taxware processed the first certified transactions in 2001 during the pilot run by the Streamlined Sales Tax Project. ADP Taxware clients include businesses of all sizes and markets, and our products integrate with accounting and ERP systems including SAP and Oracle Financials. For more information, visit www.taxware.com or contact Charles Collins (919-782-0628 or charles.collins@taxware.com) or Michael Janes(781-557-2660 or michael.janes@taxware.com).
Avalara
: Rated four stars in 2005 by CPA Technology Advisor, named in “Top Ten Awesome QuickBooks Add-Ons” by QuickBooks educator and columnist Douglas Sleeter, and currently running an average of 4.5 transactions per second against its sales tax engine for over 2,000 users, Avalara is a leading provider of sales tax automation for small and medium businesses. Choose among its easily implemented, integrated editions of AvaTax Connect™ for Microsoft Dynamics™ GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Sage MAS 90 / 200 ERP, Sage MAS 500 ERP, Sage Accpac ERP, and QuickBooks, among others. Or with AvaTax SDK™, link Avalara’s Web services API with any e-commerce or third-party accounting application. Find out more at www.avalara.com.
Exactor
: is revolutionizing sales tax compliance by providing the true next-generation end-to-end, automated solution for secure, reliable and accurate sales tax record keeping and processing. Exactor's service gives business owners the ability to automate their sales tax efforts with an ease of use unparalleled in the industry. Exactor provides an end-to-end solution that seamlessly and automatically bridges between all elements of a transaction, starting from the point of transaction, such as the shopping cart, through the final e-filing and remittance of taxes owing. This allows the merchant to focus on SALES, while Exactor deals with the TAX. Please visit us at www.exactor.com , e-mail us at info@exactor.com or call us at (800) 851-8226
Fed-Tax
: TaxCloud is a free, easy-to-use, tax calculation and remittance service offered by The Federal Tax Authority (Fed-Tax.net). Fed-Tax.net was founded by technology veterans with extensive experience in large scale development, deployment, and support of Internet-based services in environments with extremely high transaction volumes and financially sensitive information in intensively taxed and regulated industries. Our management team has been directly involved in building several of the most recognizable brands in e-commerce — including Google, Microsoft, Expedia and MasterCard --- so we understand the struggles of internet merchants large and small. TaxCloud is the only solution created solely to comply with SSUTA at a scale to support all internet merchants.
TaxCloud requires minimal integration effort by the merchant --- our goal is under 20 minutes from sign-up to tax collection. It is safe and secure. All TaxCloud APIs only operate under SSL protocol. In addition, we issue a unique ID and key for every merchant store/shopping cart. We do not store any merchant customer data on our servers. And it is completely free to merchants.
For more information about
TaxCloud, visit http://taxcloud.net or contact 1-877-TAX CLOUD (1-877-829-2568) or email service@fed-tax.net.This system is a quick and easy way for sellers to register and update sales and use tax information for all members and those selected associate states at one time and place.
SpeedTax
SpeedTax – certified as both an SST Model 1 (CSP) and Model 2 (CAS) provider – combines the practical advantages of Web-based technology with CPA designed functionality, so sales tax compliance can be both cost-effectively automated, and expertly managed. Its “Core Four” strengths set SpeedTax apart:
Advanced technology. Advantageous use of the latest in Web services and coding economies ensures real-time accuracy in sales tax determinations, no need to buy or maintain software, minimal screen-loads during management tasks, and anytime-anywhere administrative access.
SpeedTax Console™. This online administration and service center includes executive dashboard reporting and other CPA -designed features that make sales tax management simultaneously intuitive and comprehensive.
SpeedTax Service Engine™. Because the SpeedTax central service is rules based, its inherent flexibility ensures efficient handling of rule additions and changes, and enables SpeedTax to provide its clients with access to its product taxability table at no cost.
Customer service excellence. As part of a codified corporate commitment, quick response times and informed, helpful people are always guaranteed.
Simplify sales tax, accelerate business. Find out more at
www.speedtax.com.