Sales tax "common remitter"

[JoshinNC]

Anybody know of a "common remitter" for sales tax? I have a client that is busting out in growth and is beginning to make sales to a large, national company that requires them to charge sales tax on all invoices, irregardless of nexus (another issue altogether). Instead of hiring someone to work 100% on sales tax we were hoping their was an outfit that would handle the reporting on an outsourced basis.

Thanks in advance!

[BOB W]

Josh> Even if you find someone, someone is still going to have to compile the info for the "outsourced" vendor to file. Usually that is 75% or more of the work...????

Am I missing something? There are sales tax programs that make the filling out of the forms a lot easier???

[JoshinNC]

They want someone to make sure they are registered in each state

Josh> Even if you find someone, someone is still going to have to compile the info for the "outsourced" vendor to file. Usually that is 75% or more of the work...????

Am I missing something? There are sales tax programs that make the filling out of the forms a lot easier???

The registration process and understading the deposit schedules is their problem. If they could simply charge the tax, remit it to the remitter and they file all the reports that would be their preference.

I could always hire someone part time in my office and charge them some outrageous fee I guess?

[BOB W]

Most states have an "online" registration process, this is a one time event for each state. Once that is done it is only gathering the info and filing the reports. If the company is doing that good, they should invest in an employee to do the leg work and filing of the reports.

Anyone can be an outsource person, even your organization. That is if you can provide the man/women-power. It would be like acquring 2 or 3 new billing accounts. Probably a good find for steady income.

You should look at sales tax programs to minimize hand writing. Accountants World has sales tax programs on a annual fees basis ( I use them for NY). Some other programs charge by the form per company.

http://www.accountantsworld.com/desktopdefault.aspx?page=sto

I just reviewed their site and they have limited states (about 6). Do a Google for sales tax programs and see what comes up.


MAYBE THIS IS MORE OF WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR>>>> http://www.avalara.com/index.cfm/page/webcpa_stso

[Lion]

Atx

ATX used to have every form that existed. Under their new ownership, I don't know if the sales tax forms for all the states are still part of the software fo Max or Zillion Forms. Get a demo disk and try it out. Also, some states have their forms online to fill out and file online or fill out and print to mail in.

[BOB W]

Josh> the more I understand your problem the more I see the giant problem, wow.

Lion>Filling out forms "online" with each state (possibly 48 states) means entering the filers data for each filing period. Having access to a program that maintains the filer's info and just enter sales data and let the program do any calculations seems quicker. Especially for a person with limited knowledge doing the reports. I use a sales tax program and I make 2 entries> Gross sales and taxable sales, then I print the return. Takes about 2-3 minutes to enter, print, package and have a ready to go return. Of course that is only for a one county sale tax return.

[Lion]

Online

Well, if Max or Zillion Forms don't have all the states sales tax forms in their programs, look for another program that does. Or file on paper. The states would mail you their forms each quarter with the headings all filled out; you'd put the sales, put any nontaxable sales, subtract and then multiply by the percentage. If you don't like to make calculations, then register to pay online. Again, you'd go to each state's site to retrieve your form with the heading already filled out, put your sales, put any nontaxable sales, let the online form calculate for you. In CT you can pay by VISA or online check, no paper at all. What program does the client use for their bookkeeping? It would already have sales information and could have the sales tax collected by state/locality. Maybe it generates the sales tax forms. Or, at least generates a report by state/locality. As he registers in each state, he should check on the requirements for filing; some state may accept substitute forms; i.e., his report by state/locality.