News Archive

 

News in 2009

ONT-TAXS Online (TAP) team wins award
Province of Ontario, Ministry of Finance - July 2009

At the 2009 Ontario Public Service Showcase, the ONT-TAXS Online (TAP) Team won the Merit Award in the area of Government Modernization. Taxpayer Access Point, or TAP, is a companion product to GenTax® that gives taxpayers the ability to file returns, make payments and maintain their accounts over the web. The "Government Modernization" category includes initiatives in which information technology has played a critical role in providing business value while enabling significant organizational transformation. Over 150 entries throughout Ontario provincial and local government were submitted.

Adobe PDFNew tax system pays off; state collected a record $125.9 million last year
April 4, 2009 - Charleston Daily Mail, Charleston, WV

CHARLESTON -- A $22 million state tax collection system upgrade is already paying big dividends, according to West Virginia Tax Commissioner Christopher Morris. The state collected $125.9 million from past due accounts last year - an all-time record, Morris said. Before the state began installing the new system in 2006, annual past due account collections were in the $82 million to $91 million range.

Adobe PDFProvincial tax system streamlined for business, Chamber of Commerce told
February 4, 2009 - Chatham This Week, Chatham, ON

CHATHAM -- Paying taxes is never an enjoyable experience, but the province is trying to make the process easier for businesses, the parliamentary assistant to the provincial Minister of Revenue told the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce last Wednesday.

 

News in 2008

Wisconsin Department of Revenue's 2008 Outstanding Service for Innovation

The Automated Wage Certification Team, led by a state compliance analyst and Heath Mickelson of FAST, won the 2008 Outstanding Service Award for Innovation. The award recognizes employees or teams that use an innovative approach to increase productivity, efficiency and service to the department.

2008 Best of the Web and Digital Government Achievement Awards to Montana Department of Justice

The Montana Department of Justice, Gambling Control Division won the 2008 Government Achievement Award in the category of Government-to-Business. The honor was awarded to the Department for the success of its Online Suite of Services, of which GenTax® and Taxpayer Access Point are a large part. TAP is used by business taxpayers to:

  • Submit license applications
  • Manage their Gaming Tax registration
  • File Gaming Tax returns and make payments
  • Manage permits of video gaming machines
  • Certify new video gaming machine / software
  • Submit gaming machine meter readings

Best of the Web recognizes the most innovative, user-friendly state and local government portals while the Digital Government Achievement Award recognizes outstanding agency and department Web sites and applications. Judges from all over the nation determined the winners.

Adobe PDFPress Release: The Center for Digital Government - August 19, 2008

Adobe PDFPress Release: The State of Montana - September 9, 2008

MOST: An Award Winning Project
Province of Ontario, Ministry of Finance - September 2008

The Public Sector Quality Fair is an annual event showcasing service quality excellence within Ontario in the federal, provincial, municipal and broader public sector. At the 2008 Ontario Public Service Showcase, the Ministry of Finance's project to implement GenTax®, dubbed MOST (Modernizing Ontario's Systems for Taxation), won a Gold Award for Best-in-Class Performance and also received the Merit Award.  The Merit Award was in the Government Modernization category which recognizes initiatives in which Information Technology has played a critical role in providing business value while enabling significant organizational transformation.

In addition, the project team also received the Corporate CIO Award. This award "recognizes projects and teams that demonstrate extraordinary success in developing and implementing the often-invisible technology and program infrastructure that allows the business of government to function effectively."

Adobe PDFWV businesses like to file monthly taxes online
July 29, 2008 - Charleston Daily Mail, Charleston, WV

CHARLESTON -- Businesses doing business in West Virginia apparently like the state's online filing system to file their tax returns. Since the May 15 launch of MyTaxes, 9,418 taxpayers have used the system to file more than 12,000 returns. Those returns were worth about $54 million in taxes.

Outstanding Efforts of Provincial Civil Servants on the Job and in the Community Recognized with Awards

The TAXcess project team successfully implemented, on time and on budget, a new service that allows taxpayers across Manitoba, Canada and the United States to apply for registration of their accounts, file returns and pay provincial taxes online, in both official languages. TAXcess allows taxpayers 24/7 secure access to review account balances over the past 24 months and amend returns previously filed. It is believed to be the only system in North America with such expansive service-oriented features, and is the first system in Canada to provide taxpayers with paperless sign-up for preauthorized debit.

Adobe PDFPress Release: Province of Manitoba - June 20, 2008

Adobe PDFState data systems get some glue
May 21, 2008 - Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO

DENVER -- Fast Enterprises of Greenwood Village has installed its program in numerous other jurisdictions, and will adjust it to fit Colorado's tax laws. The project is the first installation to be supervised by Locatis' team and "the one we're most proud of."

Adobe PDFState Web site promises better tax answers
February 15, 2008 - Santa Fe New Mexican, Santa Fe, NM

SANTA FE -- State tax officials on Friday demonstrated to journalists a new Web service where taxpayers can sign up to learn about their state taxes. Dubbed TAP, for Tax Access Point, the site provides information about when refunds are due, allows businesses to file change-of-address notices and lets taxpayers review returns from past years.

 

News in 2007

Adobe PDFMinister vows to fight corruption
December 4, 2007 - Trinidad & Tobago Express, Port-of-Spain, TNT

PORT-OF-SPAIN -- The establishment of the Revenue Authority and the implementation of the Integrated Tax Payer System...and an array of e-Governance initiatives all represent the critical technology-driven change.

Adobe PDFBusinesses can now pay their taxes online
September 11, 2007 - Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg, MB

WINNIPEG -- It is a rare occasion when both small business advocates and provincial tax collectors are cheering for the same thing. That was the case this week when the finance minister unveiled a new online provincial tax-payment system.

Adobe PDFElectronic Filing Ready for Gambling Reports, Taxes
July 22, 2007 - Independent Record, Helena, MT

HELENA -- It's taken 13 years, but the state Gambling Control Division is finally putting into place a voluntary system for owners of an estimated 18,000 video keno and poker machines to file their reports and pay their taxes electronically.

Adobe PDFState Tax System Receives Upgrade
April 19, 2007 - The State Journal, Charleston,WV

CHARLESTON -- Gov. Joe Manchin and Tax Commissioner Virgil Helton unveiled the first of five phases of the Revenue Accounts Processing Integrated Development System (RAPIDS).

Adobe PDFManchin proudly unveils new tax bills
April 13, 2007 - Charleston Daily Mail, Charleston, WV

CHARLESTON -- Gov. Joe Manchin and his Tax Department staff have unveiled the first results of a $22 million state tax computer system overhaul: Citizens can now expect to get a monthly business tax statement and an easier to read business registration certificate.

Adobe PDFWest Virginia Tax Department modernizes software
April 12, 2007 - Government Technology

CHARLESTON -- West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin and State Tax Commissioner Virgil T. Helton today announced the State Tax Department has implemented the first phase of a new computer system that will allow timely billing to businesses.

Adobe PDF'Exceeded all our expectations; on time and on budget'
February 2007 - The Montana Tavern Times, Butte, MT

BUTTE -- Huntington gives credit to Fast Enterprises, the Denver and Boise-based software developer for developing the new reporting system. "They've exceeded all our expectations," he says. ";They've been on time and on budget through the whole development and implementation process."

Adobe PDFState shops off the rack for new tax software
January 13, 2007 - Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO

DENVER -- Colorado has decided to buy a new computer system for tracking tax revenue that has happy users in other states.

Adobe PDFPOINTS tax computer history
January 3, 2007 - Independent Record, Helena, MT

HELENA -- Revenue Department chief calls new system 'tremendous success'.

 

News from 2006

Adobe PDFRichardson tightens screws for tax cuts
November 1, 2006 - Farmington Daily Times, Farmington, NM

SANTA FE -- State officials...can show more than $93.4 million to the general fund and $124.4 million total from enhanced tax collection efforts...they have installed an integrated tax software that has made it a lot easier to track returns.

Adobe PDFGovernor boasts big savings
October 21, 2006 - Alamogordo Daily News, Alamogordo, NM

SANTA FE -- The campaign promise focused on three specific areas Medicaid fraud and overpayments; reduced overhead, travel, contracts and furniture; and delinquent taxes. At the time, taxes were pegged for the lowest area of return. They have turned out to be the greatest.

State to launch modernization project that will improve services

FAST Enterprises has been selected for the $45 million project that will upgrade and integrate the state’s tax systems over the next five years.

Adobe PDFPress Release: Illinois Government News Network - September 1, 2006

Adobe PDFLetter to the Editor - Manalo will be missed
August 23, 2006 - Independent Record, Helena, MT

HELENA -- FAST and its 20-plus employees have made Helena their home and helped make it a better place. The FAST corporate policy of community engagement is widespread.

Tax Department Reports New Tax System on Schedule and Under Budget

The first two phases of the project have been implemented successfully and the department has saved about one million dollars.

Adobe PDFPress Release: North Dakota State Tax Department - August 8, 2006

State to Get New Tax Software System

The West Virginia State Tax Department has contracted with Fast Enterprises LLC to install a new integrated tax computer system to replace the Department's 30-year-old system, Acting State Tax Commissioner Virgil T. Helton announced today.

Adobe PDFPress Release: West Virginia State Tax Department - January 25, 2006

 

News from 2005

Department of Revenue Implements Largest Tax Type into New Computer System

After two years of continuous computer programming and several successes with smaller tax types, the Montana Department of Revenue is now ready to convert its largest tax type--individual income tax-- into its new Integrated Revenue Information System (IRIS) on October 3.

Adobe PDFNewsletter: Montana Chamber of Commerce - October 1, 2005

Adobe PDFRevenue Department tax system updated
September 22, 2005 - Billings Gazette, Billings, MT

Adobe PDFNew tax-collection computer system advancing
September 22, 2005 - Independent Record, Helena, MT

HELENA -- The new Integrated Revenue Information System (IRIS) enables the state to look at all tax types paid by single taxpayers.

Adobe PDFCrippled tax computer system nearly replaced
September 21, 2005 - Billings Gazette, Billings, MT

HELENA -- Delinquent taxpayers will get monthly bills from the Department of Revenue starting in November, under the latest phase of a new tax accounting computer system unveiled Wednesday.

State Tax Agency Gets New Computer System Aimed at Improving Service and Compliance

State Revenue Commissioner Tom Surtees announced today that the Alabama Department of Revenue has contracted with Fast Enterprises for installation of a new integrated tax computer system that will replace the department's automated system within the next five years.

Adobe PDFPress Release: Alabama Department of Revenue - July 27, 2005

Louisiana Department of Revenue wins FTA award for technology applications

The Federation of Tax Administrators announced today that the Louisiana Department of Revenue is winner of the 2005 FTA Award for Technology Applications in State Tax Administration.

Adobe PDFPress Release: Federation of Tax Administrators - March 24, 2005

Adobe PDFIt's Tax Season It's Hot in the DELTA. Find out how Louisiana's Department of Revenue Stays Cool, Calm, and Collecting
February 19, 2005 - STATETECH Magazine

BATON ROUGE -- The Louisiana Department of Revenue simplifies processes and nets big returns from its integrated tax system.

Adobe PDFGenTax® software proves the 'better mousetrap'
February 14, 2005 - Idaho Business Review, Boise, ID

BOISE -- In 1999, the government of British Columbia, Canada was looking for a product that would straighten out its maze of complicated, computerized tax programs. At the same time, James Harrison and the partners of Boise-based Fast Enterprises were seeking a first buyer for their invention, GenTax®, an enterprise business application specifically designed for government revenue and taxation departments.

 

News from 2004

Adobe PDF'Fast' Fix
October 3, 2004 - Independent Record, Helena, MT

HELENA -- The Department of Revenue is a much happier place to work these days.

Adobe PDFRevenue officials continue upgrade of computer system
July 20, 2004 - Great Falls Tribune, Helena, MT

HELENA -- Don Hoffman, acting director of the RevenueDepartment, said the state signed a $7 million contract with Fast Enterprises to expand the new system.

Adobe PDFRevenue signs contract for new phase of computer system
July 19, 2004 - Missoulian, Missoula, MT

Adobe PDFState signs $7M contract for new computer system
July 20, 2004 - Independent Record, Helena, MT

HELENA -- The state Revenue Department has signed a $7 million contract with an Idaho company to continue work on installing Montana's new tax accounting computer system.

Department of Revenue Signs Contract for Phase Two of New Computer System

The Montana Department of Revenue, in conjunction with the state's Chief Information Officer, has entered into a contract with Fast Enterprises to begin work on Phase II of the department's Integrated Revenue Information System (IRIS).

Adobe PDFPress Release: Montana Department of Revenue - July 19, 2004

State Revenue Officials Impressed by Fast Enterprises Software

Because GenTax® can be adapted to the unique aspects of each tax collection agency, it typically cost less and takes less time to implement - saving money for public agencies and taxpayers

Adobe PDFNewsletter: Montana Chamber of Commerce - July 2004

Adobe PDFComputer tax system pleases Martz
May 29, 2004 - Independent Record, Helena, MT

HELENA -- Installation of Montana's new tax accounting computer system is ahead of schedule, officials with the Idaho software maker told Gov. Judy Martz on Friday. Fast Enterprises of Boise has already put Montana's rental vehicle, accommodations, and cigarette taxes into the new GenTax® system.

Adobe PDFState 'overjoyed' with new tax computer system
April 14, 2004 - Great Falls Tribune, Helena, MT

HELENA -- Eight months into the work by a new contractor on a new system, state revenue officials say they're not only getting something that works, but they're also spending less than originally expected.

Adobe PDFIdaho praises software Montana now is using
April 14, 2004 - Great Falls Tribune, Helena, MT

HELENA -- Courtesy of GenTax®, Idaho's tax collectors have their new computerized tax-tracking system, at a cost and schedule they could afford.

Adobe PDFRevenue system looking up
April l4, 2004 - Independent Record, Helena, MT

HELENA -- There's good news about the state Department of Revenue and its tax-tracking computer system...the new system is coming along ahead of schedule and under budget.

 

News from 2003

Adobe PDFNew auditors bring in millions in back taxes
November 2, 2003 - The Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID

BOISE -- Almost 30 new tax collectors and 15 restored positions at the Idaho Tax Commission are bringing in more money this year than legislators had hoped for.

Adobe PDFNew software will help state nab $200 mil. in unpaid taxes
February 24, 2003 - New Mexico Business Weekly, Santa Fe, NM

SANTA FE -- In the coming months, thanks to new computer software that allows the state to better track its taxpayers, some 40,000 warning notices will arrive in mailboxes warning residents and businesses that they'd better pay up.

Adobe PDFIdaho Converts its Tax Systems Software Under Budget and in Record Time
February 2003 - Government West

The Idaho State Tax Commission's CATS Project was completed three months early and $500,000 under budget, the CATS project could be a model other jurisdictions may want to consider.

Revenue to Begin Implementation of New Integrated Tax Processing System

The Louisiana Department of Revenue will begin Phase One implementation of the DELTA Project (Defining Excellence in Louisiana Tax Administration), utilizing a new integrated tax processing and accounting system that will eventually replace the antiquated system used by the Department for the past 29 years.

Adobe PDFPress Release: Louisiana Department of Revenue - January 27, 2003

 

News in 2001

Text2001 Public Sector Technology Awards

The British Columbia Ministry of Finance received the 2001 Public Sector Technology Award in the category of Public Value for its work on the CTB21 project. This award recognizes an achievement of particular public benefit related to an innovative advancement in Information Technology Systems Design. CTB21 used Fast Enterprises' integrated tax processing product, GenTax®, as the foundation for its Taxpayer Administration, Compliance and Service (TACS) system for BC.

Adobe PDFSoftware solves tax collection
August 27, 2001 - Federal Computer Week

In August, the county chose Fast Enterprises' off-the-shelf tax processing software, GenTax®, which can run on a Microsoft Corp. platform.