Number of Seats/Users: Avalara offers discounts based on the number of users or seats. A higher volume typically leads to a better discount structure, especially for enterprise-level usage.

Commitment to a Long-Term Contract: Discounts are often provided to companies that commit to using the service for a longer period (e.g., 1-year or 3-year contracts). A longer commitment shows Avalara that the company is serious and willing to invest in the platform long-term.

No Active Discounts: Companies that are not already receiving other active discounts may have a better chance of qualifying for additional discounts from Avalara. Avalara reserves discounts for new customers or those not currently under promotional pricing.

Volume or Usage Commitment: Avalara offers discounts if you agree to a minimum amount of usage or transaction volume. This could be based on data storage, transactions, or other metrics tied to how much you will use the platform.

Enterprise-Level Negotiation: Companies that qualify as “enterprise” due to their size or complexity (e.g., having large teams, multiple departments, or geographical presence) may be eligible for additional discounts from Avalara. Such companies are often in a position to negotiate for better pricing.

Early Renewal or Prepayment: Avalara often offers discounts if you renew early or prepay for the entire contract period. This is a common approach to securing a lower price.

Here at Spendbase, our internal data shows that Avalara is a robust tax compliance software, especially when it comes to automating tax calculations and filing returns. Most Spendbase clients find the tax calculation features reliable and the ability to stay on top of changing tax regulations a definite plus.

Let’s break down what our clients have consistently reported:

Key Benefits:
– Easy and accurate sales tax calculations, even for complex industries like telecommunications.
– Time savings through automated return filing and management of exemption certificates.
– Useful resources are available through Avalara’s knowledge center and enterprise support.
– Integrations with popular platforms like Salesforce, Shopify, WooCommerce, and D365 are appreciated.
– The DAVO add-on gets positive marks for simplifying restaurant tax workflows.

Ease of Use:
– Most clients say reporting is straightforward and clear.
– Avalara organizes filings in one place, providing transparency on due dates and compliance status.

Challenges Noted:
– A large portion of Spendbase clients say customer support is a major pain point. Cases are often mishandled or closed prematurely, and support staff seem undertrained.
– Complex integrations, especially with ERPs like D365 or Salesforce, require extensive manual effort by internal teams. Often, clients must handle the majority of implementation work themselves.
– Price increases and unclear billing practices frustrate clients and can make planning difficult.
– Frequent turnover among account reps leads to inconsistent support.
– Problems like incorrect filings, overcharging, and issues with account cancellation are reported multiple times.

Other Observations:
– Some clients found onboarding lengthy and stressful, especially for international companies.
– Errors in state registrations and tax calculations occur, and resolving these can take months.
– Automated features lack customization, requiring manual steps (for example, reports cannot be scheduled automatically).

Summary:
Our Spendbase data makes it clear: Avalara’s technology is dependable in handling core tax tasks, but service and support need improvement. Clients recommend Avalara primarily for its automation and comprehensive tax content, but they advise future users to be ready for a steep learning curve, high costs, and to give extra attention to onboarding and integration.

If you’re considering Avalara, our specialist advice: Make the most of their automation, but prepare questions in advance, clarify billing, and consider partnering with external implementation experts for a smoother setup. And of course, always count on Spendbase to help you negotiate the best possible rates!