Access® - Surplus Lines Tax Calculator API (V4.1)

The physical address of where the majority of the risk resides.

This is ONLY used to calculate the municipality jurisdiction and the municipal tax (LGPT) for Kentucky.

The physical city of where the majority of the risk resides.

This is ONLY used to calculate the municipality jurisdiction and the municipal tax (LGPT) for Kentucky.

The five-digit zip code of where the majority of the risk resides.

This is ONLY used to calculate the municipality jurisdiction and the municipal tax (LGPT) for Kentucky.

For single lines of business tax calculations: 

Line of business code related to the policy. The reason why this is mandatory is that there are some states that have coverage-specific tax rules. Instead of using the state-specific codes, we suggest using one of the generic codes which we have defined on this list. The generic codes appear with a "GEN-" prefix. More detail on how these work can be found below.

Depends

For single lines of business tax calculations:

Total premium of the policy excluding any policy or carrier fees.

Depends

For multiple lines of business tax calculations:

Line of business codes related to the policy, separated by a "|" pipe symbol. The reason why this is mandatory is that there are some states that have coverage-specific tax rules. Instead of using the state-specific codes, we suggest using one of the generic codes which we have defined on this list. The generic codes appear with a "GEN-" prefix. More detail on how these work can be found below.

For multiple lines of business tax calculations:

Total premium of each of the included lines of businesses provided in the related field above, separated by a "|" pipe symbol. Do not include any policy or carrier fees in this amount.

Depends

Policy effective date of the original policy.

For endorsements, use the original policy effective date of the new or renewal policy applicable to the endorsement. This field is not required but is recommended. This is because we have historical tax rules.

If left blank, our system will default this to be today's date.

There are a few states that have transaction type-specific tax rules. For example, there are a couple of states that do not return stamping fees for flat cancellations or return premium endorsements. Keep this in mind when setting up your tax rules.

Here is a list of active filing types that may be taxed differently in the InsCipher Portal (all depending on the state tax rule).

Total fees charged or retained by the brokerage includes fees such as policy fees, agency fees, filing fees, processing fees, etc.

For the purpose of SL Tax calculations, all reportable fees must be mapped to one of two buckets (agency_fee or inspection_fee)

Total fees charged, mandated, or retained by the carrier include fees such as inspection fees, audit fees, carrier fees, underwriting fees, etc.

For the purpose of SL Tax calculations, all reportable fees must be mapped to one of two buckets (agency_fee or inspection_fee)

This field is only applicable to NH and relates to determining maximum fee limits in the state as NH does not allow for the collection of both commission and revenue-generating policy fees.

Value      Meaning
0            No
1            Yes

You can choose to include this for every state, but only policies in NH will return an applicable response. If left blank, the system defaults this value to "0" (or No).

Is your policy a part of a Risk Purchasing Group or RPG? The reason why this is required is there are a few states that have RPG-specific tax rates or document requirements.

Value      Meaning
0            No
1            Yes

If you don't write RPG business, then default this value to "0" (or No)

Is your policy a part of an Exempt Commercial Purchaser or ECP? The reason why this is required is there are a few states that have RPG-specific tax rates or document requirements.

Value      Meaning
0            No
1            Yes

If you don't write ECP business, then default this value to "0" (or No)

There are some states that have different document requirements if the business is written direct or through a retail agent. If the business is written directly to the insured, mark it as "DC". If the business is written through a retail agent, mark it as "B".

Value      Meaning
DC          Direct Client
B            Brokerage

If unknown, we recommend defaulting to "B" (or Brokerage).

Field

Description of Values

line_of_business_id

The state-specific Line of Business Code returned

fm_tax percentage

line_of_business_list

HEADER (Useful for Multi-Line of Business Tax Calculations)

generic_code

Informational Only > Generic Code used to calculate taxes.

Note: There are a few states that allow for multi-line of business submissions. For these states, there could be a possibility of tax rates being different, depending on the premium associated with each line of business. Should you have multiple lines of business but the state does not allow for multiple lines of business to be used when filing, our system will be based the tax rates on the line of business with the greatest amount of premium.

code

Informational Only > State-specific line of business code used to calculate taxes

fm_tax_title

If this is null or blank, then consider the tax title to be the default name of "FM Tax". There are a few instances where a different tax title may be used in a state. For a full state list, please refer to this matrix.

empa_tax_title

If this is null or blank, then consider the tax title to be the default name of "EMPA Tax". There are a few instances where a different tax title may be used in a state. For a full state list, please refer to this matrix.

END OF SECTION

state_properties

HEADER (if applicable)

state_stamp_wording_text

Actual state stamp wording text

state_stamp_wording_instructions

Instructions on how to apply state stamp wording to the policy document(s). Note, that there may be a need to add additional dynamic fields to be included with the text. For example, there are several states, where in addition to the wording, the license name and/or number would need to be added after the text.

state_stamp_wording_font_size

Should the text have a specific font size?

The return value will be an integer (2)

Note: If there is not a state requirement, the default value will be "12", meaning 12 pt. font size.

state_stamp_wording_font_bold

Should the text be bold?

0 - No
1 - Yes

Note: If there is not a state requirement, the default value will be "0" or No

state_stamp_wording_font_italics

Should the text be in italics?

0 - No
1 - Yes

Note: If there is not a state requirement, the default value will be "0" or No

state_stamp_wording_font_color

Should the text be in a specific color?

Options returned are "black", "red", or "blue"

Note: If there is not a state requirement, the default value will be "black"

state_stamp_wording_type

Currently, this field can be considered N/A. By default, this will show as "wording". 

state_stamp_wording_updated_at

The last date where there was an update to the state stamp wording text, instructions, or formatting settings made by the InsCipher team.

END OF SECTION

account_written_as

Brokerage = B or Direct to Client = DC

This is just returning the value submitted and won't be relevant to the tax calculations.

transaction_type

Transaction type code submitted in the Request.

This is just returning the value submitted and may not be necessary to utilize if stored in your management system.

premium

Policy premium amount. This returned value may be rounded (if applicable).

agency_fee

Agency Fee, Policy Fee, Filing Fee, Broker Fee, and/or other revenue generated fee not mandated by the Carrier. This returned value may be rounded or capped to a max fee amount (if applicable).

inspection_fee

Inspection Fee, Audit Fee, Underwriting Fee, and/or other fee mandated by the carrier. This returned value may be rounded or capped to a max fee amount (if applicable).

sl_tax

Surplus Lines Taxes - calculated and rounded (if applicable)

stamping_fee

Stamping Fee amount - Sometimes renamed depending on state calculated and rounded (if applicable)

sl_service_charge

Surplus Lines Service Charge – Sometimes renamed depending on state - Applies to just a few states - calculated and rounded (if applicable)

municipal_fee

Kentucky’s LGPT - calculated

county_fee

Kentucky's County Tax - calculated (if applicable)

fm_tax

Fire Marshall Tax – Sometimes renamed depending on state - Applies to just a few states - calculated and rounded (if applicable)

empa_tax

EMPA tax - EMPA applies only to FL but there are a few other states where this field has been repurposed for other state-specific taxes calculated and rounded (if applicable)

physical_address

Physical Address of the Insured

This is just returning the value submitted and may not be necessary to utilize if already stored in your management system.

physical_city

Physical City of the Insured

This is just returning the value submitted and may not be necessary to utilize if already stored in your management system.

physical_state

Physical State two-letter code of the Insured

This is just returning the value submitted and may not be necessary to utilize if already stored in your management system.

physical_zip_code

Five-digit Zip Code of the Insured

This is just returning the value submitted and may not be necessary to utilize if already stored in your management system.

rpg

Is the policy part of an RPG?

0 - No
1 - Yes

This is just returning the value submitted and may not be necessary to utilize if already stored in your management system.

tax_rule

HEADER (INFORMATIONAL ONLY) 

is_sl_tax_active

Is Surplus Lines Tax active? 

• true
• false

sl_tax_amount_type

Surplus Lines Tax Type Values:

1 - Percentage (%)
2 - Fixed ($)

sl_tax_amount

Surplus Lines Tax Amount (as it relates to percentage or fixed amount)

is_sl_tax_input_manual

Can Surplus Lines Tax be entered manually?

• true
• false

is_stamping_fee_active

Is the Stamping Fee active?

• true
• false

stamping_fee_amount_type

Stamping Fee Type Values:

1 - Percentage (%)
2 - Fixed ($)

stamping_fee_amount

Stamping Fee Amount (as it relates to percentage or fixed amount)

is_stamping_fee_input_manual

Can Stamping Fee be entered manually?

• true
• false

is_sl_service_charge_active

Is Service Charge Fee active?

• true
• false

sl_service_charge_amount_type

Service Charge Fee Type Values:

1 - Percentage (%)
2 - Fixed ($)

sl_service_charge_amount

Service Charge Fee Amount (as it relates to percentage or fixed amount)

is_sl_service_charge_input_manual

Is Service Charge Fee entered manually?

• true
• false

is_municipal_fee_active

• true
• false

municipal_fee_amount_type

Municipal Fee Type Values:

1 - Percentage (%)
2 - Fixed ($)

municipal_fee_amount

Municipal Tax Amount (as it relates to percentage or fixed amount)

is_municipal_fee_input_manual

• true
• false

fee_restrictions

• true
• false

fee_restriction_amount_fixed_active

Fee restriction amount fixed

• true
• false

fee_restriction_amount_percentage_active

• true
• false

fee_restriction_amount_percentage

max_fee

The max fee total $ that can be charged on a policy

max_fee_amount_type

1 - Percentage (%)
2 - Fixed ($)

max_fee_amount

Value of the max fee. For example, if "6" and the Max Fee Type = Percentage, then it would be "6%"

fee_restriction_applies_to

Fee restrictions applies to start date?

0 - None

1 = Policy Premium (premium)

2 = Agency Fee (agency_fee)

3 = Inspection/Underwriting Fee
(inspection_fee)

If multiple, then values will come in an array

fee_restriction_applies_from

Fee restrictions applies from start date?

0 - None

1 = Policy Premium (premium)

2 = Agency Fee (agency_fee)

3 = Inspection/Underwriting Fee (inspection_fee)

If multiple, then values will come in an array

both_fees_allowed

Are both Broker Fees and Carrier Fees Allowed?

• true
• false

ask_if_commission_received

Does the state care about the commission for fee limits? (will only apply to NH)

• true
• false

This is just returning the value submitted and may not be necessary to utilize if stored in your management system.

sl_tax_title

SL Tax Title

If Null, this should default to "Surplus LInes Tax"

There are a few instances where a different tax title may be used in a state. For a full state list, please refer to this matrix.

sl_service_charge_title

SL Service Charge Title

If Null, this should default to "SL Service Charge"

There are a few instances where a different tax title may be used in a state. For a full state list, please refer to this matrix.

stamping_fee_title

Stamping Fee Title

If Null, this should default to "Stamping Fee"

There are a few instances where a different tax title may be used in a state. For a full state list, please refer to this matrix.

municipal_fee_title

Municipal Fee Title - KY ONLY

If Null, this should default to "Municipal Tax"

There are a few instances where a different tax title may be used in a state. For a full state list, please refer to this matrix.

state_notes

Array of state-specific notes added by InsCipher to assist in the quoting and binding of policies

As there may be more than one note, this may come as an array.

state_documents

upload_required

Is document upload required to submit the transaction to InsCipher

name

Document name

code

Document code (used when importing documents into InsCipher via API submission)

document_note

Document specific notes that give direction on how it is used

transaction_type

Transaction type code. View available transaction or filing types in this matrix.

document_download_link

One-time use URL that can be used to download documents.

last_edited_at

Last date the document was updated by the InsCipher team.

date_active_to

The start date this document went into effect

date_active_from

The end date this document became no longer applicable

document_group

Group or type of document (Informational Only)

rpg

Is the document applicable if the policy is classified as being part of a Risk Purchasing Group (RPG)

0 - No
1 - Yes

ecp

Is the document applicable if the policy is classified as being written by an Exempt Commercial Purchaser (ECP)?

0 - No
1 - Yes

exempt

Is the document applicable if the policy is considered "Tax Exempt"?

0 - No
1 - Yes

export_list

Is the document applicable if on the state's "Export List"?

0 - No
1 - Yes

who_signs

If a signature is required, who signs the document?

N/A - No signature required

round_up_fees_to_the_nearest_dollar

Rounding Rules: Do the FEES round UP to the nearest dollar?

• true
• false

round_up_taxes_to_the_nearest_dollar

Rounding Rules: Do the TAXES round UP to the nearest dollar?

• true
• false

round_up_premium_to_the_nearest_dollar

Rounding Rules: Does the PREMIUM round UP to the nearest dollar?

• true
• false

round_fees_to_the_nearest_dollar

Rounding Rules: Does the FEES round to the nearest dollar?

• true
• false

tax_exempt

Is the policy considered Tax Exempt?

0 - No
1 - Yes

Not applicable. You can ignore this value.

export_list

Is the Line of Business on the state's Export List?

0 - No
1 - Yes
2 - Both

This is if the line of business selected is on the Export List in the state (should they have one). If "1" (or Yes), this means that a diligent effort form is typically not required in the state.

Note: "2" means that the state doesn't have an export list.

municipality_name

Municipality name returned based on the physical address, city, zip, and state-provided.

Applicable to KY Only

line_category

One of the seven Kentucky line categories:

• Fire and Allied Perils
• Casualty Liability Only
• Vehicle
• Inland Marine
• Health
• Life
• All Other Risk Taxed

municipal_tax_settings

KY - ONLY HEADER (currently this is not returning values) - Collection of municipal_tax_setting or null if not applicable.

municipal_tax_setting

KY - ONLY HEADER (currently this is not returning values)

municipality_name

Municipality name in Kentucky

line_category

Line category in Kentucky, which are important during quarterly and annual reporting of LGPT reports.

Return Code                   Line Category Name

fire_and_allied_perils       Fire and Allied Perils
casulaty_liability_only      Casualty Liability Only
vehicle                                Vehicle
inland_marine                   Inland Marine
health                                  Health
life                                        Life
all_other_risk_taxes          All Other Risk Taxed

county_tax_settings

HEADER (currently this is not returning values)

county_name

County name in Kentucky. Only applies if a county fee is in addition to municipal fee (rare).

line_category

Line category in Kentucky, which are important during quarterly and annual reporting of LGPT reports.

Return Code                   Line Category Name

fire_and_allied_perils       Fire and Allied Perils
casulaty_liability_only      Casualty Liability Only
vehicle                                Vehicle
inland_marine                   Inland Marine
health                                 Health
life                                       Life
all_other_risk_taxes         All Other Risk Taxed

collection_fee

Returns back the collection fee passed through. If left null, this defaults to "0" (zero)

physical_address

The address used: Only applicable to KY - Used to calculate the specific municipality and associated taxes

If multiple locations exist, use the location where the largest risk resides (or greatest amount of premium exists).

physical_city

The city used: Only applicable to KY - Used to calculate the specific municipality and associated taxes

If multiple locations exist, use the location where the largest risk resides (or greatest amount of premium exists).

physical_zip_code

The zip code used: Only applicable to KY - Used to calculate the specific municipality and associated taxes

If multiple locations exist, use the location where the largest risk resides (or greatest amount of premium exists).

physical_state

Only applicable to KY - Used to calculate the specific municipality and associated taxes

If multiple locations exist, use the location where the largest risk resides (or greatest amount of premium exists).