Avalara Returns Excise Pro User Guide
This document applies to new users, and Excise Pro. Content last updated 5/4/2018.
Help Center documentation is confidential and proprietary to Avalara clients.
Avalara Returns Excise Pro is a web-based system that lets you enter tax return data to generate motor fuel tax returns and schedules in compliance with tax jurisdiction rules. When you have completed these steps you are ready to begin using the software.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for new PRO Users 
Click the book icon next to the headers for how-to steps located in the Avalara Help Center (AHC) online documentation pages.
Click the video icon next to selected steps to download a demonstration video.
The AHC main page lists other useful topics, like how to open support cases, holiday closures, how to export to pdf, and where find 'What's New' on the site. Bookmark it for easy reference!
Setup
- Welcome
- Before you start
Prepare your schedule data
Import your schedules
- Filling out the import template
Generate and View, Save or Print a Tax Return
- Return preparation
- Troubleshooting
Create and send an eFile
Filing period completion
Additional operations to help you file
Add dashboard widgets
Query session by schedule and/or product
This lets you select only the records you want to see by a specific field value. For example, if you want to find the total gallons of a single product code on records imported, or to see a single record by bill of lading number.
- Query session advanced options
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Copy records
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Mass change records
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Delete records
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Express view
This is a fast way to query your filing history across multiple tax sessions and produce reports that can be printed. Express View is useful when preparing for an audit.
Filing an Amended Return
You may be requested by the state (or other tax jurisdiction) to file an amended return to correct errors that were in your original return.
WalkMe on-screen tutorials
Many of the steps are available as a tutorial. Just click Walk Me Through from your software's home page.
Only WalkMe topics for which you have license permission will play on your instance of the software.
Tax filing checklist
Save and print this page for reference in completing your returns and filing them.
If there any changes to your company address, phone numbers, or personnel names, update before you begin filing:
- Company information
- Taxpayer contacts
- Taxpayer preferences
Prepare your schedule data
____ Prepare your import file
____ Review the import file for missing information
____ Create the tax session
Import your schedules
____ Review tax validation if there are critical errors
____ Correct any errors
____ Repeat if necessary until the file passes validation
Create and review your return
____ Generate the tax return
____ Review your return and the attached schedule detail
File your return
____ Save and print your tax return
____ Create an eFile
____ Download and save the eFile
____ Transmit the eFile (if applicable)
____ Filing period completion