NEWS RELEASE

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

Public Affairs Office

Contact: Danny Brazell

Telephone: (803) 898-5464

Email: brazeld@sctax.org

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Feb. 10, 2004

Revenue Department briefs

Gov. Sanford on new online tax services

            South Carolina retailers can now file their sales tax returns online, alcohol beverage license holders can renew their license by computer and small business owners can register their new business electronically and virtually hassle-free Department of Revenue Director Burnet R. Maybank III told Governor Mark Sanford during this morning’s cabinet meeting.

            “Technology is giving us the ability to provide quality customer service in lean budget times and even enhance and improve customer service with a much smaller staff,” said Maybank, who is serving his second term as revenue department director. “Difficult times can lead to innovative thinking and I think we

have been able to introduce some innovative ideas that will be of great benefit to taxpayers.”

            The Department of Revenue Monday brought online the sales tax program  -- called eSales --  which allows retailers to file their sales tax returns and pay the tax over the Department’s website. Retailers can pay the tax online by credit card or have the tax withheld automatically from their account. They can even “warehouse” the information, having the tax taken out of their account at a later date selected by the taxpayer. The system allows retailers to review past returns, too.

            Maybank also reviewed for the Governor the South Carolina online business registration system called the South Carolina Business One Stop, or SCBOS. The business web-based registration program is a cooperative effort between the Department of Revenue and five other governmental agencies. The one-stop registration system, which will be implemented in phases during the next year, allows the new business owner to meet the registration requirements of all the necessary governmental agencies at one time.

            “We’ve said all along that in addition to saving money, making things easier for the taxpayer is ultimately what this administration is all about,” Gov. Sanford said. “I commend Burnie and his team over at Revenue for their efforts to give businesses in South Carolina added time and flexibility in filing their returns.”

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