We were able to fully implement these solutions extremely quickly – actually five months earlier than we had planned.
— Vicki Anger, Transaction Taxes Staff Manager, Alltel Wireless
Alltel Wireless Finds Efficiency, Strategy and Compliance with GeoTAX
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Alltel Wireless, a leading wireless services provider, is owner and operator of the nation’s largest wireless network and has 13 million wireless customers in 35 states. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, the company has grown primarily through multiple acquisitions, and currently employs 15,000 people. The company’s network footprint covers more than half the total landmass of the continental U.S.
The Challenge
Bigger is Not Always Better
With its extensive network and client base, Alltel Wireless faced challenges in providing accurate tax assignment throughout its business operations. The company was oftentimes forced to work with limited resources from understaffed and underfunded tax departments and outdated tax software products, all while being responsible for recognizing more than 10,000 state and local taxing jurisdictions.
Right the Wrongs
In 2002, Alltel Wireless needed to improve its tax management system. The company was inaccurately taxing customers, losing revenue and dealing with penalties and even lawsuits as a result of improper tax management.
The Solution
Clean and Standard
Alltel Wireless implemented the GeoTAX solution, which includes an address standardization tool that helps ensure the accuracy of customer addresses. This solution cleansed and standardized customer information entered by the customer service staff, drastically reducing human error issues.
Ahead of Schedule
Integration of the GeoTAX solution with Alltel’s existing systems was easy. Alltel Wireless was able to implement GeoTAX extremely quickly, actually five months earlier than planned. A major component to the project’s success was the availability of on-site Pitney Bowes Group 1 Software IT staff to ease the transition.
The Benefit
Integrate for Success
The implementation of the GeoTAX solution enabled Alltel Wireless to more efficiently and strategically manage tax assignments, while integrating with the existing billing and taxation systems the staff was currently using.
Find a Pot of Gold
Alltel Wireless implemented a procurement system that was responsible for the purchasing of all property and infrastructure at its locations. The system identified sites by city, state and ZIP Code locations. However, when cross-referenced with GeoTAX, the company found that 40 percent of the sites listed in the city tax jurisdiction were in county zones. Avoiding city taxes in these sites resulted in dramatic cost savings.
Automate and Save
Switching from a manual to a programmed system helped Alltel Wireless adhere to the 2000 Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Act (MTSA). Alltel Wireless benefited from provider discounts by complying with taxation accuracy measures, in addition to avoiding the risk of frequent audits.
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