AFC Viewer manual
Introduction
Overview
The AvaTax for Communications (AFC) Viewer is an add-on component for the AFC Manager that replicates the functionality of the AFC system. By using this tool you may enter transaction information and view the tax calculation results as if the transaction was being processed by AFC.
Usage and Benefits
The AFC Viewer is a useful tool that has many applications:
- Investigate the tax consequences of hypothetical transactions
- Look at past and current tax rates for a specific transaction
- Tax validation – assurance that customer and vendor invoices are reflecting the correct taxes and tax amounts for a given set of charges
Using AFC Viewer
After installation, the AFC Viewer will be available as a selection on the Tools menu of the AFC Manager. Clicking on this option will display the AFC Viewer.
Starting AFC Viewer
The AFC Viewer main screen has six sections:
- Jurisdiction Information
- Transaction Data
- Adjustment Information
- Invoice Information
- Customer Information
- Company Information
- Additional Fields
- Display Area
AFC Viewer Screen
Jurisdiction Information
Jurisdiction Information Section
Jurisdiction Information |
The Jurisdiction information section is used to specify the Bill To, Origination and Termination points for AFC transactions. These points correspond to the jurisdictions used for subsequent tax calculations in the AFC Viewer. |
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Bill To |
The Bill To field is used to indicate the Taxing Jurisdiction for the billing location of the transaction. In a Telecom example, the Bill To field should be the customer’s billing address. |
Origination |
The Origination field is used to indicate the Taxing Jurisdiction for the Origination of the transaction. To continue the telecom example, the Origination field should match the origination point for a call. |
Termination |
The termination field is used to indicate the Taxing Jurisdiction for the Termination of the transaction. Again continuing the telecom example, the Termination field should match the termination point for a call. |
Change |
Use the appropriate Change button to select or update the Bill To, Origination and Termination points. Selecting a Change button invokes the Location Search dialog. |
Clear |
Use the appropriate Clear button to clear the information currently displayed in a Jurisdiction information field. |
Tips |
When selecting or changing jurisdictions the information in the Location Search dialog defaults to the previously-selected location. This allows for quick changes in the event that multiple jurisdiction points are set to the same jurisdiction |
Usage |
Use the Jurisdiction fields to create a hypothetical transaction. As an example, a customer may want to know if it is more tax-friendly to have company cell phones bill from corporate headquarters or regional offices. As an example we’ll look at a company based in Portland, Oregon with a regional office in Chicago, Illinois. To view taxes for calls billed from Oregon, set the Bill To field to Portland. Then set the Origination field to Chicago. For local usage the Termination field should also be set to Chicago. Alternatively, set the Termination appropriately for calls to outlying areas or other states. Once the jurisdictions are set, taxes may be calculated for various transactions. To view taxes for calls billed from Chicago, change the Bill To field to Chicago and repeat the same tax calculations. The tax liabilities for each situation can then be compared to aid in determining which situation is more tax-friendly to the business. This is just one example of the many ways the AFC Viewer can be used. |
Location Search Dialog
Location Search Dialog Box
Location Search Dialog |
The Location Search dialog is used to find and specify location/jurisdiction information. |
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Search By Location |
Each of the four dropdown list boxes may be used as search fields by typing a full or partial location name. They may also be used as regular dropdown select boxes. Combinations of partial names and drop down selections may also be used. Select the Search button after selecting or typing location names; the Search Results will be populated with the resulting locations. |
Search By |
Use the Search By section to search for locations matching one of the criteria at a time. Enter text in the appropriate text box and select the corresponding search button. The Zip Code fields may be used to specify a zip or postal code. US Zip codes may be typed into the first text box; the plus four is optional and should be typed into the second text box. Use only the first text box For Canadian postal codes. |
Search Results / Jurisdiction Details |
The Search Results section will be populated with the results from each search performed. To see full detail for a given search result, select the appropriate row and the Jurisdiction Details section will be populated. To select a location and return to the main AFC Viewer screen, either double-click the desired location, or select the location and then choose the Select button in the bottom-right corner of the dialog. |
Transaction Data
Transaction Data Section
Transaction Data |
The Transaction Data section is used to specify the transaction information that will be used by AFC to determine the type of taxes to apply to the transaction. |
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T/S |
T/S is an abbreviation for Transaction/Service Type. Use the T/S dropdown list box to select a transaction type and service type. Entries in the T/S drop down list box are made up of a transaction and service type descriptions followed by the transaction and service type codes in parentheses. Refer to the TM_00115_AFC Transaction and Service Types for descriptions and examples of Transaction and Service Types. |
Sale Type |
Select the appropriate sale type:
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Prepaid |
The Prepaid check box is used to indicate if the transaction being processed is a debit card transaction. |
Adjustment Information
Adjustment Information Section
Adjustment Info |
The Adjustment Information section is used to indicate a transaction as an adjustment. |
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Charge |
Check the Charge radio button to specify the transaction as a customer charge. |
Credit Adjustment |
Check the Credit Adjustment radio button to specify the transaction as a credit adjustment. |
Debit Adjustment |
Check the Debit Adjustment radio button to specify the transaction as a debit adjustment. |
Adj Method / Discount |
Use the Adjustment Method and Discount drop down list boxes to specify the method and discount type (if applicable) for the adjustment. |
Invoice
Invoice Section
Invoice |
The Invoice fields are used to provide the date and amount of an Invoice. |
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Date |
The Date field is normally populated with the bill date. |
Amount |
The Amount field specifies the amount of the transaction to be taxed. |
Lines |
Local service transactions should include the number of lines the customer subscribes to. AFC uses this information for generation of per line taxes usually associated with local E911 charges and local telecommunications relay service taxes and other assorted taxes. |
Minutes |
The Minutes Field specifies the length of phone call in minutes, with one tenth of a minute precision capability. AFC uses this field for generation of taxes that are specified as per minute flat fees in some taxing jurisdictions and stores the value in the AFC log database. |
Customer Information
Customer Information Section
Customer Fields |
The Customer Information fields are used to define the status of the customer. |
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Customer Type |
Select the appropriate Customer Type for the transaction. |
Incorporated |
Check the Incorporated check box to indicate that the customer resides inside or outside of the Local level designated as their location. |
Lifeline |
Check the Lifeline check box if the customer is a Lifeline participant. |
Company Information
Company Information Section
Company Info |
The Company fields are used to define the status of the company. |
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Regulated |
Check the Regulated check box to indicate the telecommunications company and its services are regulated by the regulatory commission in the state of the service. |
Franchise |
Check the Franchise check box to indicate the company provides services sold pursuant to a franchise agreement between the carrier and jurisdiction. |
Facilities |
Check the Facilities checkbox to specify the tangible facilities used by a company to deliver the service. |
Business Class |
Select the appropriate Business Class for the company making the transaction. The available values are Incumbent Local Exchange Company (ILEC) and Competitive Local Exchange Company (CLEC). |
Service Class |
Use the Service Class field to delineate the Primary activity of an organization as either Long Distance or Local Service. |
Additional Fields
Additional Fields Section
Pro-Rated |
Use this check box to signify a pro-rated transaction. |
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Percent |
When the Pro-Rated check box has been checked this text field will be enabled. Enter the pro-rated percentage in the text box. |
Exemptions |
When tax exemptions have been applied to the transaction a summary of the exemptions will show up in the Exemptions field. Use the View/Edit… button to add, change, or remove exemptions. |
View/Edit… |
Use the view/edit button to specify tax exemptions for a transaction. |
Invoice Mode |
Check the Invoice Mode check box to enable Invoice Mode. When Invoice Mode is enabled, process transactions as normal. Be sure to select the Calculate button in the bottom left corner of the main AFC Viewer screen to record each transaction. After the desired transactions have been processed, select Customer Totals to see the totals for all the customer transactions. This will reset the transaction totals for the next customer. If Invoice Mode is no longer desired, uncheck the Invoice Mode check box. AFC applies Steps, Brackets and/or Limits on a per transaction basis unless operating in Invoice Mode. Invoice Mode is used to group transactions that apply to the same customer. AFC maintains a history of the transactions and applies the Steps, Brackets and/or Limits to entire group of transactions. For example, suppose a jurisdiction charges a 10% UUT on just the first $10 of an invoice. If two separate $6 transactions on the invoice are passed while not in Invoice Mode, two $0.60 tax charges would be erroneously totaled and a $1.20 tax would be generated. However, if these same transactions are passed while in Invoice Mode, the total tax charge would be correctly totaled and a $1.00 tax would be generated. Refer to the AFC Manual for more information about using Invoice Mode. |
Tax Exemptions Dialog
Tax Exemptions
Tax Exemptions |
Tax Exemption dialog is displayed when the View/Edit… button on the main AFC Viewer screen is pressed. Use this Tool to Specify Tax Exemption Information. Select the Clear button in the bottom right corner of the dialog to remove all specific and tax level exemptions at once. Refer to the AFC Manual for more information about exemptions. |
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Jurisdiction for Exemption |
Select the jurisdiction the exemption applies to. If choosing Other, select the Change button and the Location Search dialog will be displayed. Find and select the desired jurisdiction. |
Tax Level Exemptions |
Check the Federal, State, County, and/or Local check boxes to exempt all taxes at the specified level. |
Add Exemption… |
Select the Add Exemption… button to add a new Specific Exemption. |
Specific Exemptions |
The table lists exemptions that have been added for the transaction. To edit an exemption row, select the row handle on the left side of the Tax Level column. Drop down arrow buttons will appear in the Tax Level and Tax Type table cells; these drop down arrows can be used to edit the Tax Level and Tax Type of the exemption. To select all Tax Types for a specific Tax Level, choose the Tax Type [** All Taxes **] from the drop down (the first tax type listed). To remove an exemption row, select its row handle and then press the Delete key on the keyboard. |
Tax Calculation Results
Tax Calculation Results section
Tax Calculation Results |
This list box displays the taxes resulting from a tax calculation or the cumulative taxes resulting from the set of transactions processed in Invoice Mode. The following information is returned.
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Tax Inclusive Calculations
Calculation Controls
Tax Inclusive Calculations |
Tax Inclusive Calculations allow you to enter the total charge desired including the base sale amount plus the tax. The AFC Viewer will then calculate the appropriate taxes and determine what the appropriate base sale amount for the transaction should be. In order to enable tax inclusive calculations, check the Tax Inclusive Calculation checkbox and then enter the desired total charge into the Total Charge textbox. The base sale amount will automatically be calculated and displayed in the Invoice Amount text box. The screenshot below shows an example of a tax inclusive calculation in which the user entered $150.00 as the total charge. The AFC Viewer determined that the appropriate base sale amount should be $130.02. |
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Tax Inclusive Calculation Example
AFC Viewer Options
AFC Manager Options
Viewer Options |
When clicking on the AFC Manager Tools menu after the AFC Viewer has been started, the Tools menu will include “Options.” The Options are used to configure the Viewer Settings. Note that if additional Manager add-ons are installed the Options dialog will include options for all running add-ons, not just the AFC Viewer. |
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AFC Viewer Settings – General
AFC Viewer Settings – General Tab
General |
The General tab within the AFC Viewer Settings is used to filter Transaction/Service Types to be displayed on the Viewer. |
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Jurisdiction Selection |
Check the Enable search to select jurisdictions check box to choose jurisdictions using the Location Search dialog. This is the default mode. Check the Use NPANXX codes to select jurisdictions check box to change the functionality of the viewer to select jurisdictions using NPA/NXX codes. When this check box is checked, the Change buttons on the Jurisdiction Information sections are removed and replaced with NPA/NXX text boxes. Entering an NPA/NXX in the text box causes the AFC Viewer to look up the NPA/NXX code and find the appropriate taxing jurisdiction. Note: The two check boxes above are linked; only one may be checked at a time. When one is checked the other is automatically unchecked. Check the Update origination and termination locations when bill-to location is changed check box to have all jurisdiction fields automatically updated when the Bill To jurisdiction field is changed. |
Tax Calculation |
Check the Calculate taxes automatically after updating an input field to have the AFC Viewer behave as if the Calculate button was pressed any time an input field is updated. |
Transaction/Services |
Use this section to show or hide transaction/service types that may or may not be of interest. Use the check boxes next to the Markets heading to affect all transaction/service types corresponding to a specific market. To show or hide individual transaction/service types, select one or more items from the appropriate list box and then press the > or < buttons to them back and forth. |
AFC Viewer Settings – Exclusions
Exclusions |
This tab allows you to exclude specific states from taxation. Taxes will not be returned for the specified states, except for taxes at the Federal level. The “Save To” button allows you to save the exclusions into a file that may be used with the AFC system in order to exclude the specified states from taxation. NOTE: If you are using AFC SaaS Standard or AFC in batch mode, please save the file as “exclude.txt.” |
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AFC Viewer Settings – Override File
AFC Viewer Settings – Override File Tab
Override File |
Use this tab to select an existing override file to use with the Viewer. NOTE: Override files may be created using the AFC RLM, an additional component of the AFC Manager. If any modifications are made to the file using the RLM at the same time it is being used by the AFC Viewer, the AFC Viewer will immediately reflect the changes made. |
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AFC Viewer Settings – Tax Grid
AFC Viewer Settings – Tax Grid Tab
Tax Grid |
Use this tab to add or remove visible columns for Tax Results and Customer Tax Totals information to be displayed on the AFC Viewer. |
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AFC Viewer Settings – Group Mode
AFC Viewer Settings – Group Mode Tab
Group Mode |
Use this tab to specify tax groupings. |
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AFC Viewer Settings – Bundle File
AFC Viewer Settings – Bundle Tab
Bundle File |
Use this tab to select an existing bundle file to use with the Viewer. NOTE: Bundle files may be created using the Bundler in AFC Manager, an additional component of the AFC Manager. |
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AFC Manager Help
About AFC Manager Path
About |
The Help Menu currently contains just one menu selection, the About AFC Manager. The path to this selection is illustrated in above. |
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About AFC Manager
About AFC Manager Screen
AFC Manager Version and Installed Components |
The About AFC Manager option screen displays the version of the software and all of the currently installed components. |
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