Sales-and-use-tax software vendor Avalara is reorganizing its channel in response to what it says has been rapid growth. The Bainbridge Island, Wash.-based company has s named Patrick Falle, a founding investor, as North American Channel Chief. Falle takes over from Pascal Van Dooren, who had been handling all channel duties but now is responsible for overseeing global channel efforts.

Results for the tax season through February 13 disappointed Liberty Tax Service. The Virginia Beach, Va.-based tax store chain said this week that the company and its franchises saw a slight drop in the number customers compared to the same period in the 2014 tax season, although system-wide revenue was up.

The Internal Revenue Service has begun testing walk-in taxpayer help at 10 of its larger Tax Assistance Centers. The IRS wants to determine if appointment-based service can reduce waiting times at the offices that it indicates have lengthened because of budget cuts.