Which Sales Tax Software is Right for Your Firm?

Sales tax is notoriously complex and difficult to manage. Different regulations apply to different products and jurisdictions, and many states handle filings in a slightly different way.

Worse: Accountants commonly find themselves pulled into tax processes to assist with validation, filing, and final sign-off. Clients just don’t have the time or expertise to manage these details manually.

At TaxCloud, we’ve spoken with dozens of accounting and CPA firms across the US. Most highlight the following as their biggest challenges:

• Ensuring accurate filings.
• Finding ways to reduce overall filing costs.

While there are way to do both, such as using automation software to get the details right or registering for the Streamlined Sales Tax (SST) program, it can be difficult to know which compliance solutions are best.

In this article, we’ll cover the best sales tax platforms for accountants and their clients. Each platform on our list has a dedicated partner program specifically for accountants and can be used to validate transaction data and filing details in record time.

Let’s jump in.

1. TaxCloud

• Platform cost: Variable (plans start at $199/year and increase based on transaction volume)
• Filing cost: Starting at $39 per return
• Accountant partner program: Link

TaxCloud is the perfect fit for accounting professionals who need a reliable, low-cost way to support clients with sales tax compliance. Real-time tax calculations, economic nexus tracking, and filing automations help to eliminate manual errors entirely.

The platform offers a clean, centralized admin dashboard that makes it easy to access, review, and export all client transaction data. Firms with multiple clients on TaxCloud can also use multi-account management features to monitor multiple client profiles at once, eliminating the need to switch between systems.

Beyond built-in data management and account tracking, TaxCloud integrates with most tools that accountants already use, including QuickBooks Online (native integration), Xero (API), and Sage (API). This makes it easy to pull clean data into existing books, so historical accounting details are preserved in your existing systems.

That, combined with options for audit support and a dedicated accountant partner program (here’s how it works, the full session) makes TaxCloud a great choice for accounts both big and small.

Important details

• Multi-user dashboards make it easy for firms to manage multiple clients without switching user credentials.
• Dedicated support and onboarding teams make it easy for both accountants and clients to get support when needed.
• Integrations with major accounting software allow accountants to seamlessly import transaction data for fast and easy reconciliation.

Key considerations

• Limited international support. TaxCloud is focused exclusively on U.S. compliance and doesn’t support VAT, GST/HST, or global filings.
• Filing costs vary based on state filing frequency, transaction volume, and nexus obligations. Pricing fluctuates based on business needs.
• Streamlined Sales Tax Partner. TaxCloud is one of only five certified providers participating in the Streamlined Sales Tax program. Clients filing with TaxCloud can use SST filings to save thousands of dollars every month.

2. Vertex

• Platform cost: Est. $32,770 / year (average, based on Vendr.com pricing data)
• Filing cost: Included in platform cost
• Accountant partner program: vertexinc.com/partners/become-partner

Vertex is a strong fit for firms that need enterprise-grade tax compliance at a global scale. The platform integrates directly with QuickBooks and Sage, making data imports easy for CPAs using those systems.

Beyond compatibility, Vertex is a well-known and capable tax platform with a long history (40+ years) in the space. The real-time tax engine can pull location data to calculate jurisdiction-specific rates, covering U.S. taxes, VAT compliance, e-invoicing, and much more. This level of versatility helps Vertex deliver a robust solution to a broad, international audience.

Additionally, Vertex’s partner program for accounting and consulting firms offers a selection of benefits, such as access to a developer license, virtual sales training, product discounts, and more. At the highest tier, partners in the program can co-market alongside Vertex, share scholarship opportunities, and more.

Important details

• Global compliance engine handles multi-jurisdiction scenarios with VAT, GST, HST, and other location-based compliance calculations.
• Powerful exemption management solutions via Vertex’s Exemption Certificate Manager can help teams collect, store, and validate certificates on a global scale.
• Bulk data import/export. Versatile export functionality makes it easy to quickly collect large data sets and use them to perform reconciliations or create historical adjustments.

Key considerations

• Quote-based pricing makes it difficult to know the true size and scope of any Vertex plan. Everything is tailored to fit the brand’s needs, which limits standardization.
• Enterprise focus and scope means that the needs of smaller businesses might be overlooked. Vertex is largely an enterprise-level solution and can be too much or too costly for smaller brands.
• Product modularity helps to narrow the scope of capabilities that Vertex offers, but it also means that brands won’t enjoy specific features without purchasing additional modules.

3. Avalara

• Platform cost: Est. $18,492/year (average, based on Vendr.com pricing data)
• Filing cost: Included with returns package via Avalara Returns or Manage Returns
• Accountant partner program: avalara.com/us/en/products/industry-solutions/accountants.html

In terms of scope and scalability, Avalara is an enterprise-grade solution similar to Vertex (above). AvaTax, the platform engine, provides real-time calculations and automated filing solutions while integrating directly with QuickBooks, Sage, and Xero.

Similar to other modularized platforms, Avalara breaks portions of its solution into different modules. For example, Avalara CertCapture enables organizations to collect and manage exemption certificates at scale, but it’s a different project from AvaTax (tax calculation engine) or Avalara Returns (filing module).

Beyond platform functionality, Avalara also offers strategic partnerships for accounting firms. CPAs taking advantage of this program will gain access to specialized return management solutions that allow firms to directly control how much of the returns workflow that Avalara should handle.

Important details

• Vast integration library. Avalara connects natively with 1,200+ software solutions, including QBO, Sage, Shopify, NetSuite, and others. An API is also available for custom workflows.
• Broad tax-type support within Avalara allows the platform to cover various tax scenarios in over 190 countries.
• Niche product solutions such as AvaTax for Accounts Payable (purchasing workflow) or Avalara Property Tax (property tax compliance) can make Avalara a best-fit solution in specific fields.

Key considerations

• Custom configurations and modular offerings mean that pricing can become complex and contract details must be determined up front.
• An enterprise-focused platform, Avalara’s modularized, kitchen-sink approach is likely overkill for small- to medium-sized organizations.
• Streamlined Sales Tax Partner. Similar to TaxCloud, Avalara is one of only five certified providers participating in the Streamlined Sales Tax program.

4. Numeral

• Platform cost: Variable (plans start at $75 per filing and $150 per registration)
• Filing cost: $75/filing
• Partner program: numeralhq.com/partner-program

Numeral is a newer service in the tax compliance space and is an ideal fit for e-commerce and SaaS clients who want a hands-off, full service compliance engine. The platform integrates with online marketplaces like Shopify and Amazon and tries to position itself as a brand specializing in e-commerce solutions.

Ideal for small- to mid-sized brands, Numeral offers end-to-end automation options for nexus tracking, state registration, and filing. When set up correctly, the platform aims to be as hands-off as possible, which can make it an appealing solution for teams who want to minimize the amount of effort spent on tax compliance.

The platform’s partner program offers white label solutions for tax compliance, as well as revenue sharing and co-marketing opportunities. For accounting firms, these incentives can help to generate additional revenue while delivering essential services to clients.

Important details

• Numeral’s end-to-end service guarantee states that they’ll pay penalties and interest charges if your sales tax isn’t filed on time.
• White-glove support and onboarding resources are at the core of Numeral’s business model and something they emphasize strongly for incoming customers.
• Free nexus monitoring can help teams limit exposure and learn about audit risk, even if they don’t intend to file with Numeral. (TaxCloud also offers these tools.)

Key considerations

• Limited international support. Like TaxCloud, Numeral is focused exclusively on U.S. compliance and doesn’t support VAT, GST/HST, or global filings.
• Pricing is per-state and per-filing, meaning that costs will increase as clients expand their business operation across multiple states.
• No native integrations for QBO, Xero, or Sage, however connections are still possible via Numeral’s API. (Custom plan required.)

5. Anrok

• Platform cost: Starting at $499/month + 0.40%/taxable transaction (2024)
• Filing cost: Included in platform cost
• Partner program: anrok.com/accounting-and-consulting-partners

Anrok is a modern tax compliance platform built for SaaS and digital-first companies. The platform focuses on automating the full lifecycle of compliance, including nexus exposure monitoring and the registration, calculation, and filing for all tax-related obligations.

Similar to Avalara, Anrok differentiates itself with a broad selection of integration options, including both financial and accounting software. Teams in search of a unified tech stack can connect Anrok’s tax data across billing, payment, HR, and payroll solutions for easy tracking and remittance.

Unlike many large-scale competitors, Anrok’s tax solution isn’t modularized or piecemeal. Instead, users select a package and gain access to everything on the plan. At the basic level (Starter), this already includes exemption certificate management and nexus tracking, as well as state registration, filing, remittance. Combined with a dedicated partner program, Anrok is a great launchpad for SaaS-focused accounting firms.

Important details

• Unified tax & VAT engine across 80+ countries allows Anrok to handle US sales tax, VAT/GST, and other tax schema without additional add-ons.
• API solutions are available but implementation can be rocky. Anrok offers API technical consultations, but only starting at the Core plan (est. $999/month).
• Onboard nexus tracking includes physical nexus tracking for distributed teams (via integrations), which is critical for companies with remote teams.

Key considerations

• High and hidden costs. Anrok pulled their list pricing from their website in 2024, suggesting that the $499/month entry level price may have increased.
• International filing is third-party, meaning that Anrok will pass your filing data and remittance details to partner-vendors for international matters. US filings are handled directly by Anrok.
• SaaS-focused infrastructure. Anrok’s toolkit won’t be as useful for more traditional brands and business models.

6. TaxValet

• Platform cost: $1,000 – $3,000 per month
• Filing cost: Included in platform costs
• Partner program: thetaxvalet.com/partner-program

TaxValet styles itself as a fully managed, hands-off sales tax department that streamlines all aspects of tax compliance in a single, all-in-one platform. This is a major deviation from brands like Avalara or Vertex, where modularized products drive up costs as more features are included. Instead, TaxValet includes everything you need to ensure that returns are filed and that compliance is accurate.

Similar to other solutions on our list, TaxValet offers a broad variety of integrations, including platforms that accountants are most likely to use. Beyond that, you’ll find integrators for marketplaces like Shopify and Wayfair, as well as integrations with other tax platforms, including both Vertex and Avalara.

This works, because TaxValet wants to be an extension of an existing business, rather than a DIY, plug-and-play compliance solution. Beyond standard compliance needs, the platform also helps companies create personalized tax strategies, offers access to expert resources, and can also assist with audit defense. For CPAs and company finance teams who need a helping hand, TaxValet might be a great fit!

Important details

• A 100% managed tax service, TaxValet equips firms with a dedicated sales tax accountant who checks data, manages exceptions, and files returns each month.
• Limited integrations will help teams connect to most major marketplaces, but technical expertise will be required for custom solutions.
• Fixed-state pricing options help to keep monthly rates consistent without per-transaction fees and surcharges.

Key considerations

• Lack of real-time tax calculations means that firms may still need an upstream calculation engine to get accurate totals.
• Scalable pricing solutions allow TaxValet to offer a standardized rate based on usage rather than features — however, price can scale dramatically as companies expand.
• Audit defense and support can be extremely helpful during audits, but most platforms don’t offer it. TaxValet is an exception — just like TaxCloud.

7. Sovos

• Platform cost: Est. $16,006/year (average, based on Vendr.com pricing data)
• Filing cost: Included in platform costs
• Partner program: sovos.com/partner/

Sovos, like Avalara and Vertex, is a heavyweight in global tax compliance. The platform offers a wide selection of products and is capable of delivering unified tax compliance for US sales tax, VAT / GST, e-invoicing, and filing / reporting across 200+ countries.

While the company’s credentials and robust infrastructure make it a great fit for enterprise-level organizations, it’s likely too large for SMBs due to its product cost and enterprise-level focus. That being said, teams and CPAs working with Sovos will have no shortage of data and automation tools at their fingertips.

Specifically for accountants and dedicated firms, Sovos can help teams stay ahead of audit risk with a full audit trail and a suite of compliance readiness tools. Managed services are also available for firms that need hands-on filing support with US taxes.

Important details

• Sovos’s unified tax platform, the Compliance Cloud, handles invoicing, withholding, and statutory reporting across 200+ countries.
• In addition to accounting software like Quickbook, Xero, and Sage, Sovos also integrates heavily with enterprise-level ERPs to create a seamless tax flow across all systems.
• A certified SST provider, Sovos (along with TaxCloud and Avalara) is one of the few solutions on our list that can participate in the Streamlined Sales Tax program.

Key considerations

• As an enterprise-grade solution, Sovos is designed for larger businesses with global operations and may be too much and too costly for smaller organizations.
• Deeply technical solutions are common with Sovos, with some compliance flows requiring IT support or configurations that go beyond turnkey setups.
• Product modularity places Sovos in the same category as Avalara and Vertex, where cost increases dramatically as new products and functionality are added.

8. Complyt

• Platform cost: Custom, subscription-based pricing
• Filing cost: Included in platform cost
• Partner program: complyt.io/partnerships/

Complyt is a relatively new but fast-growing sales tax automation platform focused on simplifying compliance for modern, digital businesses. Similar to TaxValet and Numeral, the platform is designed to be as hands-off as possible while offering end-to-end automation for US sales tax.

By itself, Complyt can track nexus thresholds, register clients with state agencies, calculate tax rates in real time, and file returns. All data is held in a centralized dashboard, making it easy to access, consolidate, and recognize. For accountants, Complyt becomes more appealing thanks to its multi-entity management, team access, and white-labeling options.

Aimed primarily at SaaS, retail, and e-commerce, Complyt offers native integrations for most accounting software, as well as online stores and CRM / ERP solutions like Salesforce and NetSuite. Teams will also find a strong API architecture, which allows for configuration integrations with custom or specialized apps.

Important details

• Onboard, end-to-end automation allows Complyt to handle all aspects of tax compliance — nexus monitoring, real-time tax calculations, filing and remittance — in one place.
• Audit-ready reporting portal consolidates all filings, exemptions, and compliance data in one place so that audit prep is effortless.
• Well-documented API tools are ideal for firms needing deep integration, platform-level embedding, or custom workflows.

Key considerations

• Limited international support. Similar to TaxCloud, Complyt is focused heavily on U.S. compliance and doesn’t support VAT, GST/HST, or global filings.
• Technical expertise may still be required when configuring ERPs and deeply customizable software for the first time.
• Custom reporting limitations make data collection beyond the built-in dashboard and scheduled reports difficult.

9. Yonda Tax

• Platform cost: Month-to-month custom pricing via sales team
• Filing cost: Included in platform cost
• Partner program: yondatax.com/partnerships

Yonda Tax is a full-service tax compliance platform designed to automate every stage of the indirect tax lifecycle. As a managed service, the company combines software automation with human expertise to deliver end-to-end compliance that is both simple and globally scalable.

For accountants, Yonda Tax is a practical, low-maintenance way to manage US and international sales tax compliance. The platform offers nexus tracking, registrations, tax calculations, and return filings, but these services are overseen by an internal team of tax experts. Accountants can also monitor multiple clients from a single dashboard, and integrations with standard accounting software make data handoffs clean and efficient.

Yonda’s focus is primarily in digital-first businesses, including e-commerce and SaaS, but it also works with traditional online marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and eBay. Because the platform supports sales tax in every US state and VAT in 40+ jurisdictions, it can be especially helpful for clients who need compliance across international borders.

Important details

• Yonda offers fully managed global compliance with support for US sales tax and VAT/GST in over 40 countries.
• Month-to-month contract options keep brands from being locked in, allowing greater flexibility without long-term commitments.
• White-labeling, multi-view dashboards, and codeless integrations allow accountants and tax professionals to connect with Yonda and use it to handle tax obligations across multiple clients.

Key considerations

• No exemption certificate tools. Organizations that need a robust system for tax exemptions will need a workaround or an alternate solution.
• Limited integration options with ERP and CRM systems, as well as smaller sales channels (like TikTok Shop), may require additional support.
• Third-party support and zero-liability claims. Yonda’s terms state clearly that the brand may use third-party solutions to provide services and that Yonda isn’t responsible for any errors generated by their platform.

Simplify Sales Tax for Your Clients

If you’re looking for a dependable partner that puts accountants and their clients first, TaxCloud offers the tools, pricing, and support necessary to get the job done.

In addition to our multi-client dashboard and real-time integration with QuickBooks (and Xero or Sage via API), we also provide white-glove support and access to the Streamlined Sales Tax program. These tools make compliance effortless, allowing you to spend time supporting clients in other ways.

Want to learn more? Sign up for a 30-day free trial or talk with one of our product experts for a personalized tour.