Innovative Tool Determines Which Products Are Subject to Sales and Use Tax
NEW YORK (Nov. 22, 2016) – CPA.com and Vertex SMB today announced the launch of a new product taxability tool that allows CPA firms to advise clients on which products are subject to sales and use tax.
An increasing number of small to midsize companies are expanding into online sales, and they need a trusted business advisor to help navigate complex and changing regulations in the more than 11,000 taxing jurisdictions within the United States. It’s not enough to determine if a company has a sufficiently sizable business presence in a state to be subject to sales tax, or what’s known as “nexus.” Clients also need advice on which specific products or services they sell that might incur taxes.
“If a CPA has a client with sales in 20 states, researching the applicable tax laws and how they apply product by product can be time-consuming and costly,” said Michael Cerami, CPA.com’s vice president of business development and corporate alliances. “We’ve automated this function as part of the Firm Advisory Program we’re offering through CPA.com and Vertex SMB. The offering is a key piece of a comprehensive solution that allows firms to track client activity through dashboards and reports, and to keep on track with regulatory updates and thought leadership.”
For initial setup of the taxability tool, practitioners review their client’s products and select specific taxability codes for each item within the Vertex SMB solution. The CPA firm can then run monthly reports to flag any new or changed regulations so the company remains compliant and up-to-date on tax remittances. This enables the CPA firm to add value for their clients by providing advisory services in the area of product taxability.
“We tracked more than 600 new or significant changes in sales and use tax regulations last year, so the ability for CPAs to provide timely updates on compliance-related matters is extremely valuable,” said Chris Livingston, director of product and operations at Vertex SMB. “We think it is an essential tool for practitioners looking to build advisory services in this space.”
CPA.com and Vertex SMB are offering a free webinar about sales and use tax compliance and product taxability, “Automated Sales and Use Taxability Reports for the Win,” at 2 p.m. EST on Nov. 30.
Besides the Firm Advisory Program, CPA.com and Vertex SMB also offer a referral program for CPA firms who want to assist clients with sales and use tax compliance but don’t want to build out an advisory practice. To learn more, visit www.cpa.com/salestax.
About CPA.com
CPA.com offers a growing list of products and services for practice management, client advisory services and professional development. The company has established itself as a thought leader on cloud technology and has been a driving force around the reemergence of virtual CFO/controller services by firms.
The RIVIO Clearinghouse, a joint venture between CPA.com and Confirmation.com, is an online financial document clearinghouse that enables private businesses to exchange key financial information with lenders and investors.
CPA.com is a majority-owned subsidiary of the American Institute of CPAs, the world’s largest member body representing the accounting profession. For more information, visit CPA.com.
About Vertex Inc.
Founded in 1978, Vertex Inc. is the leading provider of corporate tax software and services for companies of all sizes, from small to medium-sized businesses to global multinationals.
Vertex solutions enable companies to realize the full strategic potential of the corporate tax function. The company offers a variety of products and services that allow businesses to automate, integrate, and streamline their corporate tax processes. Vertex provides solutions in every major line of tax including income, sales and consumer use, value added, and payroll. Vertex also offers tailored solutions for specific industries including retail, communications, hospitality, and leasing.
Vertex SMB, a division of Vertex Inc., helps automate sales and use tax compliance for small to medium-sized businesses. By enabling calculations and returns in a cloud-based solution and offering flexible service levels and featuring attractive pay-as-you-go pricing, Vertex SMB meets the sales and use tax automation needs of growing businesses.
Known for its innovative culture, Vertex is a privately held company that employs 900 professionals across the globe, at its headquarters in the U.S. (Berwyn, Pa.) and offices in Europe (London), Brazil (São Paulo), Dallas, Fort Collins, Naperville, Phoenix, San Francisco, Sarasota, and Seattle. For more information about Vertex Inc., visit www.vertexinc.com. For more information about Vertex SMB, visit www.vertexSMB.com.
