Governor Bentley Signs Bill Making Business Tax Filings More Efficient
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: May 4, 2012
Governor
Robert Bentley on Thursday signed into law Senate Bill 459, a measure
that eliminates red tape for business tax filings in Alabama.
Under
existing law, businesses with multiple locations are burdened by having
to file tax returns in multiple jurisdictions using various tax filing
processors, including
the Revenue Department, self-administered cities and counties, and
private entities. This process is antiquated and cumbersome to
businesses.
At
the option of any business, Senate Bill 459 creates a quantum leap in
filing efficiency by using an electronic, single-point-of-filing system
through which businesses
can file all sales, use, and rental/lease tax returns and make the
associated payments.
The
method created by SB 459 is known as "ONE SPOT": Optional Network
Election for Single Point Online Transactions. The Department of
Revenue will administer the system
and distribute filings and payments to the appropriate counties or
cities.
"Alabamians
expect government to make efficient use of their hard-earned taxpayer
dollars," Governor Bentley said. "With the ONE SPOT system, the Alabama
Department of
Revenue can offer businesses an efficient process that eases the burdens
associated with tax filings in multiple taxing jurisdictions. This
service is free of charge for business and local jurisdictions. I
commend members of the Legislature, especially Senate
Pro Tem Del Marsh and Speaker Mike Hubbard for making this bill a
priority and streamlining this process to make our state more business
friendly."
"This
has been a cooperative effort between all stakeholders to ensure that
implementation will be a smooth process," Revenue Commissioner Julie
Magee said. "We look
forward to offering this service to businesses in our state. This
system will provide our businesses an efficient filing option by
providing a single, electronic portal where a business can file these
tax returns."
