Illinois Department of Revenue
 
 
Electronic Services
 
 
 
 
 

Tax-Prep Software for Sales & Use Taxes

 
 

The department has the ability to electronically receive and process the ST-1, Sales and Use Tax and E911 Surcharge Return, and the ST-2, Multiple Site Form. Participation in the Illinois Electronic Filing Program for Sales & Use Tax returns is available to software developers, transmitters, Electronic Return Originators (EROs), and taxpayers. To enroll, complete Form IL-8633-B, Business Electronic Filing Enrollment.  Note: Participants using our free MyTax Illinois program do not complete Form IL-8633-B.

To use this method of electronic filing, you can write your own software or buy software from an accepted electronic filer (third party). If you wish to create your own software for filing or create software to sell, please refer to the STS-81, Implementation Guide for Direct Electronic Filing of Sales and Use Tax. Once we have received your enrollment form, we will contact you regarding testing.

New:  The record layouts for Form ST-1 are changing effective January 1, 2013.  The Form ST-1 has not changed.  Changes to record layouts include field lengths and start and ending positions.  The error codes have also been updated.  These updates will require changes to existing software for Illinois Sales Tax.  IDOR is requiring additional software testing to ensure the changes are made and the software is calculating the return correctly. 

Electronic filing documentation effective 1/1/2013 (version ST1V2.0)

  • STS-81, Implementation Guide for Direct Electronic Filing of Sales and Use Tax
  • Error Codes

Electronic filing documentation prior to 12/31/2012 (version ST10711)

If you choose to have a third party file your return, the following are vendors who are approved by the department to electronically file sales and use tax returns:


  • ADP Taxware - 1 877-CALL-ADP (http://www.adp.com/solutions/employer-services/sales-and-use-tax.aspx)
    • 401 Edgewater Place, Suite 260, Wakefield, MA 01880
    • E-mail: tfsmarketingandcommunications@adp.com
  • CCH, a Wolters Kluwer Business - 1 866-513-CORP (1 866-513-2677) (http://www.salestax.com)
    • CorpSystem® Sales Tax Returns Online
    • SaaS-based, internet product, accessible from anywhere on the internet
    • 500+ state and local sales and use tax returns, including electronic filing option
    • Automated form population and return processing from any flat, delimited data files
    • Returns calculate tax due automatically--fully editable, allows for overrides
    • Audit reports extract to Excel spreadsheets for manipulation and sharing of data
  • efileSalesTax.com - 1 877-584-2309 (http://www.efilesalestax.com)
    • Fast, easy and compliant system for filing Illinois Sales & Use Tax returns
    • Automatic calculations and validations per DOR requirements
    • QuickBooks Import option
    • Option to import ST-2 data from a text file
    • Email and Text Reminders
    • PDF output option
    • No software to purchase or install, automatic rate updates
    • Free unlimited technical support
    • Free archiving, viewing and printing of completed returns
  • Exactor, Inc. - 1 800 851-8226 (http://www.exactor.com/)
    • Provides a fully automated sales tax solution for nearly all financial accounting software packages, online shopping carts, and custom integrations
    • Calculates sales taxes in all countries and states accurate to the exact street level address
    • Files tax returns and remits tax payments to every state and local taxing jurisdiction
    • Provides a robust reporting system for tracking / auditing
    • Requires absolutely no maintenance – all tax rates / forms are updated automatically as changes occur
    • Certified as a Streamlined Sales Tax (SST) sales tax service provider 
    • No cost for setup or support
    • E-mail: Sales.Support@exactor.com
  • Instant Software Solutions – 1 800-963-1212 Sail TaxTM for Windows (http://InstantSoftwareSolutions.com)
    • Designed for accountants to be the fastest, easiest preparation available
    • Electronically file ST-1, ST-2, and PST-2’s
    • Special simplified entry for calculation of Food/Drugs, Gas Stations, Prescriptions, Service persons, Chicago Soft Drink (ST-14), MPEA (ST-4), and Tire User Fee (ST-8).  Once a “Special” is selected for a client, Sail Tax will remember to prompt you for it next time
    • Prepare past due/very past due returns 10+ years back using the current version of the software.  You pick the liability period and Sail Tax will provide the correct rate
    • Print transmittal letters to clients
    • Can run on multiple computers and share data on a server
  • PTP Oneclick, LLC - 1 866 781-2200 PAVLOU SalesTaxPRO (http://www.ptponeclick.com)
    • Windows-based software application – Complete Electronic Filing of Sales and Use Tax Returns
    • Generates STATE and LOCAL tax returns
    • Easy to use Tax Wizard – Smart  Wizard and Smart Rate/Form Technologies automatically calculate and prepare state and local tax returns
    • Built in logic optimizes all Home Rule/Motor Fuel Tax Deductions and Specific Fuel Tax Exemptions
    • Offers flexible tax payment options in all software products, including E-File Activity and Payment monitoring reports
    • Free update downloads through December
    • E-mail:  info@ptponeclick.com
  • TTA - A Thomson Company - 1 800 865-5257 (http://ria.thomson.com)
    • InSource Sales and Use Tax
    • Windows-based software application - Available via CD ROM or internet download file
    • Generates 560+ state, local and Canadian returns including electronic returns for Illinois and 18 other states
    • Flexible data sourcing including ASCII file and electronic spreadsheet import
    • Automatic tax calculations using the latest rates
    • Offers standard and customized audit reports
  • Trustfile - 877-222-0187 (http://www.trustfile.com)
    • P. O. Box 84327, Baton Rouge, LA 70884
    • Windows-based software application -Complete Electronic Sales and Use Tax Returns
    • Generates electronic returns for Illinois, Wisconsin, and 8 other states
    • Automated form population and importing from spreadsheets
    • Automatic tax calculations
    • E-payment and payment warehousing capabilities
    • Free update downloads through December
    • E-mail: Sales@trustfile.com

Software vendors will be approved after they register and have their product approved through testing. These companies may be web-based companies or traditional software development companies who produce a product that formats and transmits electronic returns.

For questions regarding this program, please contact the Electronic Commerce Division at 1 866 440-8680.

Note: Some taxpayers are required to pay their tax electronically using Electronic Funds Transfer.
 
 
Answer Center
 
 
Quick Links
 
 
 
 
Information For
 
 
 
 
About IDOR