States look to the cloud for more revenue in 2015

With over 12,000 jurisdictions in the U.S. and hundreds of thousands of rule changes annually, sales tax is a moving target in the best of times. Managing sales tax accurately requires a level of expertise many companies simply don’t possess. And 2015 is shaping up to be an even thornier year for sales tax compliance.

In addition to the usual suspects—constantly shifting nexus rules, product and service taxability changes, etc.—states are working even harder to capture untapped sales tax revenue in 2015. One place they’re looking is the cloud.

Take software, for example. As computer technology has expanded from hardware to software to SaaS (software as a service), more companies are transferring data and operations to the Internet. While states have historically lagged behind with applicable sales tax rules, that is beginning to change. New Jersey taxes most cloud services and software, whereas Michigan has courts ruling to leave them non-taxable but a department of revenue that says otherwise. Have a compass and a crystal ball? Hope so.

How states define cloud services is even more complicated. Tennessee considers web conferencing a taxable cloud service. Idaho recently defined cloud-based software as only software that is delivered electronically. In Vermont, custom SaaS software is tax-exempt, whereas out-of-the-box software is subject to tax.

This is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sales tax in the cloud. Be sure to check changes rules and rates by contacting the applicable departments of revenue. Or automate it and eliminate worry.

Learn more by reading the 2015 Sales Tax Survival Guide.

READ NOW

Winter is in full swing: A perfect time for the Marine Industry to evaluate software.

NOW YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL.
We know how difficult it is sometimes to find a business software to meet your industry needs. Computer Management, a leading provider of Sage 100 ERP in New England, is excited to have a solution to meet the needs of marinas, boatyards, and boat builders. This industry leading accounting system has the functionality that you need to run your marine operation more efficiently. With Sage 100 for Marine you can integrate your Customers, Vessels, Repair Orders and Inventory with your Invoicing and Accounting system.

Sage 100 ERP for Marine and CMS can deliver what you need—a fully integrated financial system linking all the critical sectors of your business:

Parts
Service
Repairs
Storage
Dockage & Moorings
Fuel Sales
Contracts-Summer and Winter

Sage 100 for Marine eliminates redundant data entry, reduces errors and increases efficiency. Centrally managed boat and owner details can make your marine facility more efficient and improve customer service.

Reduce your invoice processing time by about 20%. Better analyze the productivity of your workforce and have a pulse on your business that gives us up to date information quickly, letting you provide superior customer service.

Sage 100 for Marine can make your marina or boatyard a more efficient, profitable and productive marine facility. Attend our webcast and let us show you how you can bring your organization to the next level.

If you are a marine company in the USA and interested in learning more about Sage 100 ERP for Marine or would like to attend a free webcast on this exciting product, please contact Lisa Maxwell at 860-399-4215 x 216 or via e-mail at lmaxwell@cmsct.com.

2015 Sales Tax Survival Guide

Join us on Thursday, January 8 at 2pm Eastern to learn more a out Sales Tax for the New Year - New rules, new tools, new strategies.

Sometimes all you need are the right tools and the right information to make your business audit ready and compliant. 2015 has a lot of changes in store for sellers, manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and more. Give us one hour of your time and you'll learn how to prepare your business and maybe learn a few sales tax tricks from an industry veteran.

Join sales tax compliance expert Shane Ratigan and discover:

Why out of state companies (might) owe sales tax in states they never considered?

What big changes to product and service taxability mean to you?

How to ace the "nexus" quiz?

Why key states are making changes to their tax rules?

To attend this free event, contact Lisa Maxwell at 860.399.4215 x.202 or via e-mail at lmaxwell@cmsct.com.

Happy New Year from CMS

Wishing you good health, happiness, and success in the coming year and always. We look forward to a great 2015 together!

From Everyone at Computer Management,
Happy New Year!

Please be advised that in observance of the New Year holiday, CMS will be closed Thursday, January 1st and Friday, January 2nd. CMS will re-open on Monday, January 5th at 8:30 am (EST).

JANUARY HAPPENINGS

JOIN US: FREE JANUARY SAGE 100 INFO-SESSIONS

Sales Tax for the New Year
Thursday, January 8th 2:00 pm

Take Back Control with Sage Inventory Advisor
Thursday, January 15th 1:00 pm

Sage 100 for Marine: A complete solution for your marine business
Thursday, January 22nd 3:30 pm

For Webcast Descriptions, Click Here

REGISTER NOW! CALL LISA AT 860.399.4215 x.216 or VIA E-MAIL: lmaxwell@cmsct.com

Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season!

One of the real joys of the holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you.

Best wishes for peace and joy this holiday season and a New Year of health, happiness, and prosperity. Our sincerest appreciation for your business and friendship. We are looking forward to a mutually rewarding and beneficial 2015 together!

From Everyone at Computer Management Services (CMS)

Please be advised that in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays, CMS will be closed Thursday, December 25th, Friday, December 26th, Thursday, January 1st and Friday, January 2nd. CMS will re-open on the Monday, December 29th and Monday, January 5th at 8:30 am (EST).

Sugar-and-Spice Nuts

SERVINGS: MAKES 5 CUPS

3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon chile powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 large egg white
2 cups raw cashews (9 ounces)
2 cups raw almonds (9 ounces)

Preheat the oven to 300°. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, whisk the sugar with the salt, chile powder, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. In a large bowl, beat the egg white until frothy. Add the cashews, almonds and spiced sugar and toss. Spread out the nuts on the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes, stirring once, until browned. Let the nuts cool on the baking sheet, stirring occasionally.

Analyzing Point-of-Sale data: Point-of-Sale (POS)

Companies that embrace collaboration and deliver data-driven analysis bring more value to their retailers and stay ahead of the ever-changing needs of the consumer.

•How do I effectively consolidate and manage POS data from my retailers?

•How can I turn POS data into actionable information?

•How can I use POS data to increase collaboration with retailers?

Join us on Wednesday, December 17 at 1 pm EST to learn how to turn POS analytics data into actionable intelligence.

This 30-minute webinar to:

•Understand the key trends driving analytics growth in omnichannel retail

•Learn how to use point-of-sale (POS) analytics to enhance collaboration, drive higher sell-through and improve inventory performance

•Hear case studies from well-known retailers and consumer brands

•Demo of the POS Analytics Solution

Register now by contacting Lisa Maxwell at lmaxwell@cmsct.com or 860.399.4215 x.216.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving from Computer Management!

Thanksgiving brings to mind the people we cherish most which is why today is filled with thoughts of you.

From All of Us at Computer Management Services (CMS)

"Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." - William Arthur Ward

Please be advised that in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, CMS will be closed Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th. CMS will re-open on Monday, December 1st at 8:30 am (eastern).




Whiskey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes

4 large sweet potatoes (about 3 pounds)
1 cup pecans
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the dish
1/2 cup agave nectar (preferably amber)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup whiskey
Kosher salt
3 crisp apples (such as McIntosh or Cortland), peeled, halved, cored and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet (do not pierce) and bake 30 to 40 minutes. Lightly squeeze the potatoes: If they're slightly soft, they're done. Let cool.

Lightly toast the pecans in a medium saute pan over high heat, shaking the pan occasionally, about 3 minutes. Add the butter, then reduce the heat to medium and stir in the agave, cinnamon, nutmeg and cayenne; let simmer 4 to 5 minutes. Add the whiskey and 1/2 teaspoon salt; simmer 5 more minutes.

Butter the bottom and sides of an 8-inch-square baking dish. Remove the peel from the sweet potatoes and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange the sweet potato and apple slices in the prepared pan, alternating. Pour the whiskey-pecan mixture over the top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove the foil and baste the top with the whiskey sauce that's collected in the bottom of the pan; continue baking until the apples are soft and glazed, about 18 more minutes.

Recipe courtesy Guy Fieri for Food Network Magazine