Electronic Sales & Use Tax, Inc. — eFileSalesTax.com

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From the August 2007 Review of Sales & Use Tax Systems

efilesalestax.com offers a completely web-based sales and use tax compliance system that works as an after-the-fact program, allowing users to input business sales data and tax collections through a secure online portal that then electronically files with the state. The system currently supports only California and Florida filings, with all municipalities and subsidiary taxing jurisdictions. efilesalestax.com also supports electronic funds transfer of remittances and can be used with any number of companies, making it amenable to use by accounting firms that provide this service to their clients. The system is priced on a per-use basis at $4.95 per filing, with discounts offered for prepayment but no membership costs or subscriptions required. The online system is offered in English and Spanish.

Navigation & Data Entry -- 4 Stars
The web-based system can be used either directly by small businesses or by accountants who represent multiple clients. After logging in through a secure portal and selecting either CA or FL sales tax compliance, a spreadsheet list displays the companies for which the user files in that state and the county in which the business is located. This window also shows any filings that are in progress but not completed. Options are available for editing or adding entities, while a navigation bar across the top of the screen offers links to previously completed e-filings, user settings, FAQs, resources/help and customer service. On data-entry pages, these links appear at the bottom of the page.

efilesalestax.com offers options for entering sales and tax data manually or through a new QuickBooks import function, which can automatically populate the state tax form. Manual data entry takes place after selecting the business entity under the Start New Return section. Web-based forms for initial basic company data and form selection provide date selection calendars and a Quick-Select Date function that simplifies entering reporting periods, such as when filing for a specific month, quarter or calendar year. The forms available depend upon the state, with the CA system providing compliance for 401EZ; 401A with schedule A; 401A with schedule T; 401A with schedules A, B and C; and prepayment form 1150. The FL system supports DR-15 and DE-15SW. Both systems allow the user to electronically file and electronically transfer funds to the respective revenue department.

Sales and use tax return forms are replicas of the actual form, with calculations occurring as data is entered. After completing the form, the system provides a summary report and prompts the user to pay $4.95 for the filing service unless it has been pre-paid. The system also provides an additional “are you sure” page before sending the transmission. Another notable feature of the system is the Reminders function, which sends an e-mail to the user alerting them that a filing date is nearing.

Filing, Electronic Compliance & Payment -- 4.5 Stars
As should be obvious by its name, the focus of efilesalestax.com is on providing e-filed sales tax reporting and debiting of the company’s bank account for electronic remittance of collected taxes. If filing prior to the due date, the user can set up the EFT payment to take place when due. efilesalestax.com has expanded its CA system capabilities to allow paper-based return filing on state-approved, print-ready forms. The FL system only allows electronic filing. As noted earlier, previously filed returns are archived and accessible at no cost, along with summary reports that show tax collections, prepayments, penalties and interest.

Rate Updates -- 5 Stars
Since it is a web-based system, efilesalestax.com’s tax tables are automatically updated as needed.