SECRETARY DANIELS RECEIVES DIGITAL GOVERNMENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Friday, Nov 2, 2007
Innovative Franchise Tax Services Suite garners national recognition
(LITTLE ROCK, AR)—Secretary of State Charlie Daniels is the recipient of a 2007 Digital
Government Achievement Award in the Government-to-Business category for his office’s
implementation of an innovative Franchise Tax Services Suite which automates the processing of franchise tax payments and filings.
The award was presented by the Center for Digital Government, a national research and
advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government.
“Utilizing efficient technologies in conducting the state’s business benefits everyone,” said Secretary Daniels. “This award is a great honor because it represents our commitment to providing the best customer service possible to the citizens of Arkansas.”
The automated lockbox payment processing system was developed to expedite processing for those businesses which prefer to mail in their franchise tax form and payment, rather than use the online form. The Secretary of State’s office partnered with the Information Network of Arkansas and Regions Bank to implement the new system in which electronic records are created for each mailed-in filing while the enclosed payments are processed immediately.
The pioneering web-based application has dramatically increased the rate at which franchise tax filings are processed while saving substantial time and money. The Secretary of State’s office estimates that the processing time has been reduced by 60% or two months.
The Digital Government Achievement Award is a national program that recognizes outstanding agency and department web sites and applications that enhance information interactions, transactions and/or services. The categories include government-to-government, government-to-business, government-to-citizen, and government internal.
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Contact: Natasha Naragon
Phone: (501) 683-1441
Email: natasha.naragon@sos.arkansas.gov
Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniels
256 State Capitol Building
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: (501) 682-1010
Website: www.sos.ar.gov
Email: arsos@sos.ar.gov
