Onboard your client overview

To onboard a merchant into the Avalara Managed Returns API, a partner must either provision a new Avalara Client account or link an existing one. Once linked, the partner can configure the necessary return settings for Avalara to begin filing on the client’s behalf.

Create or link a client account

You can onboard a merchant in one of 2 ways:

Provision a new Client Account

This automatically creates a new Avalara account for the merchant and links it to your Firm. A default Company profile is also created as part of this process.
Link an existing Avalara account

If the merchant already has an Avalara account, it can be linked to your Firm account using the Firm-Client Linkage API. Usually, the existing account will already contain at least 1 Company profile.

Note
While Avalara supports multiple companies within a Client Account, this isn’t typically necessary for these merchants. The onboarding flow assumes a simple company structure.

Create an additional company (optional)

If the client operates multiple legal entities, you can create additional companies under the same Client account.

Set up Returns

Return setup is the core of the onboarding process. The goal is to identify where the client needs to file and which forms apply. There are 2 ways to initiate this:

Import historical transaction data

Partners can upload transaction history to help Avalara detect nexus and suggest relevant jurisdictions and forms.
Present a list of supported forms by region

If transaction history is unavailable, partners can present the client with Avalara-supported tax forms by state or jurisdiction for manual selection.

Note
After form selection, the partner is responsible for preparing a filing calendar for each selected form. This requires collecting extra registration information from the client. For example, you need tax IDs, account numbers, filing frequencies, or effective dates based on the jurisdiction's requirements.

Once the calendar is configured, the partner submits it to Avalara for review and approval.

Sign the Funding Power of Attorney (FPOA)

The client must digitally sign the Funding Power of Attorney (FPOA). This authorizes Avalara to pull funds and remit payments to tax authorities on the client’s behalf.

Submit for review

After the forms and FPOA are in place, submit the client’s setup to Avalara. Once approved, Avalara will begin generating and filing returns based on the submitted calendars and selected forms.