Q&A with the Oklahoma Tax Commission: Direct-to-Distributor Shipping

As part of our ongoing effort to provide our clients with premier service, Meyercord Revenue is taking a deeper look at our customer relationships. In this vein, this article is the first in a series of interviews with some of Meyercord’s longest-standing clients. Below is a Q&A with Jerry Leonard, Deputy Director Taxpayer Assistance Division, and Michelle Harrison, Deputy Director Management Services Division, of the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Q: Oklahoma has been working with Meyercord Revenue since 1958. That’s a pretty amazing record of partnership. How would you characterize the state’s relationship with Meyercord?

A: Oklahoma’s relationship with Meyercord is stronger today than it ever has been.

Q: Oklahoma began using Meyercord’s Direct-to-Distributor (DTD) service in 2012. What issues were you facing that made you consider using the service?

A: Oklahoma, like other states, was looking at ways to improve our service to the taxpayers as well as reducing our costs. It was a win-win for us.

Q: How did you prepare for implementation of DTD?

A: We brought in a few wholesalers to test the new system, to see how comfortable they would be and to see what their thoughts were.

Q: How did the transition/implementation go?

A: The biggest issue was getting the wholesalers comfortable with the transition of ordering their stamps electronically. Meyercord was there every step of the way in answering any questions that we or the wholesalers would have and they were there working with our FAST partners in setting up the DTD system.

Q: Now that the program is fully established in Oklahoma, how is it working for you?

A: The program has been a huge success not only for the Oklahoma Tax Commission but we believe for our cigarette wholesalers as well. The service and delivery time has improved, especially for our out-of-state wholesalers.

Q: What benefits/improvements have you seen as a result of your use of DTD?

A: In today’s economic climate with reduction in staff and hiring freezes we have been able to better utilize staff in other areas. The liability of holding stamps in our two facilities has decreased as well.

Q: What feedback about DTD have you gotten from wholesalers?

A: It has been positive feedback. The wholesalers can order stamps at any time, they do not need to wait for their order to be mailed in and processed. We also implemented, with the assistance of Meyercord, the wholesaler’s ability if they needed an emergency order to select that option when they order.

Q: How has DTD’s integration with the HAT tool helped your enforcement work?

A: It has enabled the Compliance Officer to identify and verify excise stamp/wholesaler information while on site in the field.

Q: Are you satisfied with the customer service you receive from Meyercord in relation to DTD? And more broadly?

A: Meyercord customer service has been impeccable. As a matter of fact, Meyercord has contacted the Oklahoma Tax Commission if there could be a potential issue that needs attention. With this type of communication and service we have prevented potential issues that could arise.

Q: What value does Meyercord provide as a strategic partner to the state?

A: This relationship that has now spanned 58 years is very rare in today’s time. The Oklahoma Tax Commission and Meyercord have been through many changes in those times and with this long history working on the issues or improvements, big or small, is made much easier knowing that Meyercord is there.