CPA_Practice_Advisor_November_2020 - 14

REVIEW: SALES & USE TAX SYSTEMS
Avalara AvaTax

www.avalara.com

Avalara's AvaTax is a cloud-based sales and use
tax calculator that offers integration with popular
retail and accounting software
STRENGTHS:
* Works with numerous
applications for easy, automated
platforms
* Calculates taxes behind the sales and use tax calculations.
scenes
AvaTax is a good fit for businesses
* Works with other Avalara
of any size as well as accounting
application for complete
compliance
firms that need to calculate sales
POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS:
tax for clients. Avalara also offers
* All modules are priced
additional transaction tax options,
separately
including Avalara Licensing, Ava-

CCH SureTax Calc

lara CertCapture, and Avalara Returns.
AvaTax currently offers prebuilt integration with
more than 700 ERP, e-Commerce, point of sale, CRM,
and accounting applications, with an advanced API
available in the application. AvaTax supports sales and
use tax calculations in more than 12,000 jurisdictions.
Avalara AvaTax is a good fit for businesses of any
size with pricing based on volume of returns. When
used with Avalara Returns, the application can
calculate, prepare, and submit tax forms as well as
remit payment. In addition, for businesses that need

https://taxna.wolterskluwer.com

CCH SureTax Calc from Wolters Kluwer is part of the
SureTax suite of applications which along with SureTax
Calc include SureTax ECM, SureTax
STRENGTHS:
* Newly enhanced interface
Integration, SureTax Returns, and
* Solid integration with a
SureTax Rates & Rules. SureTax
variety of applications
* Tax rates updated weekly
Calc can be used as a stand-alone
POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS:
application or in conjunction with
* Time consuming setup
* Complicated product setup other SureTax modules.
* Performs better when
SureTax Calc, like all other
coupled with other CCH
SureTax modules is available as
SureTax applications

a SaaS subscription and is a good fit for businesses
of any size as well as accounting professionals using
other CCH or SureTax applications.
CCH SureTax Calc rates are sourced from more
than 10,000 U.S. jurisdictions and cover more than
1,200 items. CCH monitors all daily and weekly publications for the latest rate changes and adjustments,
so users will always have access to the most recent
data available.
CCH SureTax Calc's newly updated user dashboard

TaxJar

www.taxjar.com

TaxJar is best suited for businesses that actively
sell products online, integrating with a number of
popular e-commerce platforms
STRENGTHS:
* Offers an auto-file option for along with third-party accounting
easy state filing
* Works behind the scenes to applications. While best suited
calculate sales tax
for businesses, TaxJar also offers
* Offers a Tax Advisor plan for
a Tax Advisor program aimed
accounting professionals
at accounting professionals that
POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS:
* AutoFile option not suitable actively offer sales and use tax
for all platforms
management to their clients.
* API only works in specific
Included in each plan is AutoFile,
countries

Vertex Cloud Indirect Tax

www.vertexCloud.com

Vertex Cloud Indirect Tax is an application that offers
complete sales and use tax compliance. Designed for
businesses of any size that have
STRENGTHS:
* Offers excellent integration
the desire to automate the entire
options
sales and use tax process, Vertex
* Works behind the scenes
to calculate sales, use, and Cloud Indirect Tax is best suited
VAT tax
for businesses that sell nationally
* Prepares signature ready
returns
or globally, and it offers specialPOTENTIAL LIMITATIONS:
ized solutions for accounting and
* May be too complex for
CPA firms through its partnership
smaller businesses
with CPA.com. Created to be used
* Implementation is complex

NOVEMBER 2020 ■

an electronic filing service for state sales tax. Once
enrolled, AutoFile uses the information provided from
e-commerce platforms to automatically prepare and
file state sales tax returns by their due date. AutoFile
is available for all 45 states that currently impose a
state sales tax.
TaxJar plans were previously based on the number
of transactions process, but TaxJar has now moved
to a more simplified pricing structure based on the
number of monthly orders. The Starter plan includes
only reporting and filing and starts at $19 per month.

behind the scenes, Vertex Cloud provides automated
tax calculations across all current systems, manages exemption certificates from initial collection of
information to storing of all certificates. In addition,
Vertex Cloud also generates signature-ready returns
for easy submission.
Vertex Cloud Indirect Tax uses a series of connectors in order to integrate with numerous ERP systems
as well as e-commerce platforms. Vertex Cloud calculates a variety of taxes including sales tax, consumer
use tax, and value added tax from a single platform.

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com

2020 OVERALL RATING
Read the full review for
this product online at:

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/
21162422

to manage exemption certificates, CertCapture is
available. Avalara offers partner programs including
one for accounting firms that offers commission on
referrals, system implementation, and the ability to
embed Avalara applications into existing applications.

2020 OVERALL RATING

4.75

Read the full review for
this product online at:

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/
21162424

features an interactive map of the U.S., with users
able to click on the state where they wish to start.
A newly enhanced menu system has been added as
well, allowing users to easily locate any of the features
available in the application, including Administration,
Configuration, Transactions, Reports, and Returns.

2020 OVERALL RATING

4.5

Read the full review for
this product online at:

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/
21162430

The Professional plan includes sales tax automation
and reporting and starts at $99 per month, and the
Premium plan, which includes white glove product
support and custom tax research capability has
custom pricing which can be obtained directly from
TaxJar.

2020 OVERALL RATING
Read the full review for
this product online at:

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/
21162433

The application can also be used as a stand-alone sales
and use tax application, calculating sales and use tax
for more than 10,000 U.S. taxing jurisdictions, and
VAT is calculated for international transactions. Those
interested in Vertex applications should contact the
vendor directly, as pricing is customized for each user
and is available only upon request.

http://www.avalara.com http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/21162422 https://taxna.wolterskluwer.com http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/21162424 http://www.taxjar.com http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/21162430 http://www.vertexCloud.com http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/21162433

CPA_Practice_Advisor_November_2020

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