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Explore the emergence of Tax ASPs and their advantages, like cost-efficiency and immediate confirmation, in online tax filing. Learn why taxpayers and governments are shifting towards this innovative technology. Find out about service breadth, customer support, and speed of implementation from a best practices perspective. Compare Government ASP set up to third party arrangements to determine the best option for your taxpayers. Delve into cost models like government or taxpayer pays, per transmission, monthly fee, or combination to streamline tax processes.
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FTA Technology Conference Emergence of Tax ASPs Kennon Walthall
Fast Facts about ASP’s Size of Market • $1 Billion in ‘99 grows to more than $25.3 Billion by 2004 • 480 retail ASPs (more entering the market every day) Why ASP’s? • the opportunity to secure Tier 1 application functionality while forgoing significant infrastructure, software and personnel • Lower total cost of ownership (estimated between 30% and 70%) Future • “My Vision is that in five years, people won’t be running any applications inside their business.” Chandrasekhar, ePolly
Examples • Employease: Human resource services • Icarian: Recruiting and work force management • Managemark: travel and expense reports • Critical Path: Outsource email services • WebEx: communications and collaborative apps. • Nationtax: business tax filing
Why emergence of Tax ASP’s • Taxpayers starting to demand the ability to converse with govt. online • Govt.'s want to operate more efficiently • Taxpayers and Govt.’s: Getting rid of paper lower costs as well as increase compliance • Credit Card industry
How it works IRS acknowledgment data data data Business Tax ASP State acknowledgments acknowledgment data acknowledgement Local
General advantages/disadvantages to users • Advantages • Potential of “one-stop” shopping • Allows taxpayer to register, prepare, file and pay • Stores Historical Information • No lines, no postage, immediate confirmation • Disadvantages • Lack of consolidation/ability within different levels of govt. • Flexibility of data Entry • Privacy/Signature Issues
Reach or breadth of an ASPs service what can be included • Integration with current business function: • Accounting / Payroll / HR • Any information sent to govt. on paper • One stop for registration, preparing, file & pay • Historical information • Email communication/reminders • Account maintenance • Immediate confirmation
Customer support issues • States • Terms of Agreement/MOU/Contract • Communication of Responsibility • Taxpayers • Tax related questions vs. application questions • Communication of Responsibility • Hours • Email Return • Live Voice
Third Party Partner Dedicated IT resources Speed of implementation Ongoing enhancements Best practices perspective Cross govt. filing/paying etc. Government ASP Set Up and Maintenance vs. a 3rd Party Set UP Which option best serves your taxpayers? In-House • Control of all IT resources • Full accountability • Enhancement flexibility • No perceived conflict of interest
Cost Models/Options • Government Pays or Taxpayer Pays • Per Transmission • Monthly Fee • Combination