Mon, May 20, 2013

Duff & Phelps Launches TotalPropertyTax Life Cycle Management Software Solution

Duff & Phelps Corporation, a leading independent financial advisory and investment banking firm, today announced the launch of TotalPropertyTax, a secure cloud-based software solution that enables users to manage their entire property tax life cycle. TotalPropertyTax is the first software to contain a proprietary database of continuously updated information about nearly 130,000 tax jurisdictions, 15,000 collectors and 10,000 assessors. Further, the software provides a single interface that facilitates filing returns, managing notices and appeals, tracking bills and processing payments.


“We’re excited to offer cutting-edge, user-friendly technology that helps to efficiently manage property taxes in an environment where tax professionals with limited resources, staff and time face increased compliance challenges and pressure to identify savings opportunities,” said Carl Hoemke, leader of Duff & Phelps’ Tax Technology and Strategy practice. “Clients may use TotalPropertyTax independently or in tandem with a range of Duff & Phelps’ advisory and compliance services tailored to address unique challenges, opportunities and strategic objectives.”

TotalPropertyTax gives corporate tax professionals direct access to information management and business intelligence resources that Duff & Phelps has leveraged in supporting its clients for more than 35 years. The software has been designed and tested over several years to incorporate feedback from property tax executives in such complex industries as cable, telecommunications, oil and gas, utilities and pipelines.

“Duff & Phelps has provided us with trusted advice on a range of property tax matters and related compliance issues for many years,” said Pamela Willmoth, Senior Director-Property Tax at Comcast. “Our in-house tax department is pleased to have implemented TotalPropertyTax into our workflow, which has allowed us to successfully manage both macro and micro aspects of property tax compliance while simultaneously reducing administrative costs and realizing significant savings opportunities.” 

TotalPropertyTax contains detailed information about jurisdictions, assessors and collectors – including contact information, tax rates, tax forms, deadlines and extension requirements, assessment dates and ratios, and mailing and filing rules. The integrity and timeliness of the database is ensured by a call center, regularly administered surveys, web monitoring programs and other measures.

Clients can work with Duff & Phelps to customize other elements of TotalPropertyTax:

  • TotalPropertyTax can be integrated with Duff & Phelps’ proprietary “smart scanning” data extraction and transcription application to automate data recognition and population for all types of properties and documents.
  • The Duff & Phelps mail center can relieve significant administrative burdens by handling all aspects of mailing and shipping of checks and other documents.
  • Duff & Phelps can customize dashboards and visual displays of key performance indicators to help clients make strategic decisions.

 

Duff & Phelps’ Tax Services business helps more than 400 clients manage all phases of the tax life cycle – from valuation and payments to appeals and negotiations with third parties. With more than 150 professionals, the team is experienced in navigating today’s changing tax and regulatory landscape, helping clients maximize savings opportunities and capitalize on available benefits and incentives. The team provides tax-related valuation and consulting services for a range of issues related to transactions, compliance, planning and disputes. 


About Duff & Phelps
As a leading global financial advisory and investment banking firm, Duff & Phelps leverages analytical skills, market expertise and independence to help clients make sound decisions. The firm advises clients in the areas of valuation, M&A and transactions, restructuring, alternative assets, disputes and taxation – with more than 1,000 employees serving clients from offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.duffandphelps.com. 

Investment banking services in the United States are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities, LLC; Pagemill Partners; and GCP Securities, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. Transaction opinions are provided by Duff & Phelps, LLC. M&A advisory and capital raising services in the United Kingdom and Germany are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd., which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.



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