BillSoft Inc. (Booth 521) has added new VoIP transaction and service-type combinations to its EZTax solution to handle complex taxation issues.

According to BillSoft, state, county and local jurisdictions seem to be making taxation decisions in three distinct manners. Some jurisdictions have indicated that their taxes apply to VoIP. Other jurisdictions have stated they are not taxing VoIP and dont plan to in the near future. And others are waiting to see what the FCC and other jurisdictions will do with taxation.

We have found that because of the inconsistencies by jurisdictions, VoIP providers are forced to take different attitudes toward taxation, said Vicki Klein, president of BillSoft. Some providers are taxing VoIP as they would normal POTS lines. Some are taking the position that VoIP is not a telecom service and are only applying FET.

As a solution, BillSofts versatile taxation engine EZTax is designed to handle both approaches, no matter which approach a VoIP provider chooses. BillSoft has defined two transaction types VoIP and VoIPA to handle both approaches.

The VoIP and VoIPA transaction types return telecom taxes in a jurisdiction according to a companys position. The two approaches are expected to converge as jurisdictions define how they want VoIP taxed.

There are 13 different service types included to combine with both transaction types. The data required for accurate taxation varies from service type to service type, but each service type is the same regardless of whether you choose VoIP or VoIPA, the company noted.

Since the VoIP user can connect via either a landline or wireless connection we have included both rates in our system, added Klein.