Scope
Defines which taxes, jurisdictions, and specific tax periods are included under the disclosure agreement and any exclusions.
Tax VDAs offer a path to resolve exposure from prior noncompliance while often limiting civil penalties and freezing audit exposure to a negotiated lookback period. They provide legal certainty by documenting terms, payment obligations, and timelines agreed with the taxing authority.
The agreement is also used by counsel and compliance teams to formalize remediation, allocate payment responsibility, and set expected timelines for closure.
Defines which taxes, jurisdictions, and specific tax periods are included under the disclosure agreement and any exclusions.
Specifies the number of prior years the state will examine and limit to for assessment and penalty application.
Lists returns to be filed or amended, deadlines for submission, and documentation required to substantiate reported amounts.
Details total tax due, interest, installment options if allowed, and timing for payments to satisfy the agreement.
Describes any waiver, reduction, or cap on penalties, and conditions under which relief applies or is revoked.
Shows who must sign, how signatures are authenticated, and any notarization or witness requirements to make the agreement binding.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signer Order | Taxpayer then authorized representative |
| Authentication | Email plus SMS or ID verification |
| Document Attachments | Attach returns, worksheets, supporting PDFs |
| Retention | Store executed copy with audit trail |
Ensure the platform supports ESIGN and UETA compliance, secure storage, and the ability to produce tamper-evident signed copies with an audit trail.
Agency acknowledges receipt, often within 14–30 days
States commonly request supporting returns within 30–90 days
Review and audit may take 60–180 days
Time to resolve tax/penalty terms varies by complexity
Agreement signed and payment scheduled upon acceptance
Assess exposure and decide whether to pursue a VDA
Provide forms, returns, and a proposed payment plan
State reviews documentation and determines terms
Sign, pay, and document compliance steps
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |