BNA Software — BNA Sales & Use Tax Rates And Forms

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From the August 2006 Review of Sales & Use Tax Systems

BNA Software offers BNA Sales & Use Tax Rates and Forms, a lookup and compliance system that can be used with just rates or just forms, or as a comprehensive system that includes a rates file generator for integration with accounting systems. The BNA system supports all taxing jurisdictions in the United States, including rates for nearly 60,000 cities and counties, and forms for more than 2,000 government entities. BNA Sales & Use Tax Rates and Forms is available as an online application or as a traditional CD-based program. Pricing starts at $895 for either the rates-only or forms-only system; the single-user version of the rates and forms system with the Rates File Generator costs $1,895. Network and multi-user licenses are also available.

Navigation & Data Entry -- 5 Stars
The BNA rate lookup system is exceptionally easy to use, with a simplified lookup screen that allows searching by ZIP, City, County or State. After searching, the screen shows returned hits for the search. For instance, a City search for Montgomery returns more than 35 hits for each of the ZIP codes of Montgomery, Alabama, as well as listings for cities in several other states. Double-clicking on the desired entry brings up the Detailed Rate Information screen, which shows current rates for both sales and use taxes, with a breakdown of state and local percentages and notation of effective date and previous rate. The breakdown also includes subordinate taxing jurisdictions such as police, school board, special district and transportation taxes. The screen includes buttons for printing and for calculating specific amounts. Searches can be saved to a Favorites file, which can be easily accessed from the initial query screen.

The Forms module provides a more graphic interface with icons for opening existing saved forms or profiles, along with print, copy, paste, zoom, font control, navigation and other functions. The professional user can easily set up Profiles for each entity required to assess sales taxes, and then this information can be applied to forms thereafter, saving data re-entry time. All completed forms for a specific entity are saved within the file folder for that entity’s profile. New forms are selected from a list of jurisdictions that includes all states and subordinate sales tax jurisdictions with their own forms. Selection of the taxing jurisdiction brings up a list of all available forms for that location, which is sortable and filterable. Data entry is performed on form replicas that automatically calculate, but allow overriding when necessary. A typewriter function enables users to place notes on any form field. The system includes filing information and instructions.

June Savianeso, the sales tax director for Hertz, noted that the most beneficial aspect of the program has been the expeditious method for searching tax rates. “BNA provides all possible search options, including by city, zip and county, and the system notifies me of rate changes and What’s New items every month,” she said.

Filing, Electronic Compliance & Payment -- 3 Stars
The BNA Forms module is geared primarily toward paper-based filing, providing no built-in electronic filing capabilities, although it does include EFT authorization forms for the jurisdictions that accept electronic remittances. The system’s forms are all signature-ready approved replicas and can be printed on blank paper stock.

Rate Updates -- 5 Stars
Updates are included in the license cost of the program. The CD-based version of BNA Sales & Use Tax Rates and Forms includes monthly update discs, along with weekly updates. The online system is kept constantly up-to-date by BNA Software staff, requiring no updating by users.

Help/Training -- 4 Stars
The built-in Help utility provides good overall assistance, with form instructions and guidance, along with an electronic version of the system’s user manual and tutorials, although it lacks a searchable index-based Help utility. BNA includes phone and e-mail support, along with a web-based support center that offers the weekly rate updates and FAQs.