Frequently Asked Questions

  • General Information
  • SLIP Assistance
  • Invoices and Payments
  • Oklahoma FAQs
  • Tennessee FAQs
  • What states are currently using the SLAS SLIP?
    • The states that are currently using the SLAS SLIP for reporting surplus lines premium tax are:

      • Oklahoma (effective January 1, 2024)
      • South Dakota (effective January 1, 2013)
      • Tennessee (effective October 1, 2014)
      • Wyoming (effective April 1, 2013)
  • How do I register an agent with SLAS SLIP?
    • Go to the SLIP login page and click on the Register button. Submit the required information for the licensed surplus lines agent. After the registration information is completed, the agent will receive an email with the login credentials. States require that SLIP users use the agent's email address to register for the SLAS Clearinghouse. Please do not use an agent representative email address in the Agent Information section of the registration form. The Agent's Contact Person section of the registration form should be used to indicate the representative responsible for reporting transaction data and answering questions related to SLIP filings. Additional users can be added to the agent's SLIP account once the primary account (registered under the agent's email address) has been created.

  • Do I need to create a new SLAS SLIP account for each SLAS state?
    • No, you only need one SLAS SLIP account per agent to file transactions for Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and/or Wyoming. Please note that the surplus lines agent must be licensed in each state for which you are submitting transactions. Agents should use their National Producer Number (NPN) when registering.
  • Where can I find my National Producer Number (NPN) to use for registration?
    • The National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) website provides a search feature for all National Producer Numbers. To search for a National Producer Number, visit the NIPR website at https://www.nipr.com/PacNpnSearch.htm.
  • How do I transfer a policy or book of business to a new agent?
    • Complete the Transfer of Business forms, including the relinquishing and assuming agents' signatures, and email the completed forms and any supporting documents (i.e., BOR letter, etc.) to info@slasclearinghouse.com. 
  • Do I have to file a quarterly affidavit in SLAS SLIP?
    • Quarterly affidavits are required for Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wyoming. South Dakota does not require affidavit filings. Quarterly affidavit filings are due at the same time as quarterly tax payments using the following schedule:

      Reporting Period

      Oklahoma Affidavit Due

      Tennessee & Wyoming Affidavit Due

      Q1 (January 1 - March 30)

      April 30

      May 15

      Q2 (April 1 - June 30)

      July 31

      August 15

      Q3 (July 1 - September 30)

      October 31

      November 15

      Q4 (October 1 - December 31)

      January 31

      February 15


      Affidavit filings for each state are only required if business has been submitted during the reporting period. If no business is reported, an affidavit filing is not required.

  • How do I file transactions in SLAS SLIP?
    • There are two ways to report policy data in SLAS: SLIP and XML Batch. 

      SLIP: Allows brokers to submit single transactions. For more information on how to file in SLIP, review the Reporting Entity Manual and the SLIP Set-up Guide on the Documents page.

      XML Batch: Allows high volume brokers to submit multiple transactions in a single file upload. For more information on XML Batch filing, please contact techsupport@slasclearinghouse.com.


  • How can I estimate the taxes and SLAS transaction fees charged on transactions filed in SLAS SLIP?
    • SLAS SLIP customers can use the SLAS Clearinghouse Tax Estimator to estimate the surplus lines premium taxes and SLAS transaction fees for a policy or endorsement.
  • What is the SLAS transaction fee?
    • The SLAS Transaction fee is charged on the gross premium (premium plus all taxable policy fees) for all transactions reported in SLAS. The table below shows the SLAS Transaction fee rate based on the policy effective date.

      Policy Effective Date

       Transaction  Fee Rate

      New and renewal policies (and subsequent endorsements) with an     effective date on or after July 1, 2015

      0.175%

      New and renewal policies (and subsequent endorsements) with an     effective date between July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2015

      0.300%

  • Is the SLAS transaction fee refundable?
    • Yes, the SLAS transaction fee is refundable pro-rata based on the unearned premium on return premium or cancellation endorsements. The transaction fee is also refunded on all corrections (backouts). 

  • Are tax-exempt insureds assessed the SLAS transaction fee?
    • No, the SLAS transaction fee is not charged on premiums for approved tax-exempt insureds. Transactions for insureds who are exempt from surplus lines premium tax under the applicable state law should select Tax Status 7 when reporting transactions in SLAS SLIP or XML Batch. The transaction will initially be questioned (TIQ) for review and approval by the appropriate state. 
  • Should the SLAS transaction fee be included on the policy declarations page?
    • Yes, the SLAS transaction fee should be included on the policy declarations page.

  • Can I report all business for my agency under a single surplus lines license?
    • No, in accordance with state laws, all surplus lines policies should be reported under the individual licensee who transacted the business. Agency accounts will be available in SLAS SLIP later in 2024. 

  • How do I sign up to receive important updates for all SLAS member states?
  • What should I do if I forgot my username and password?
    • Select the Forgot Password link on the SLIP Login Page and enter the email address associated with your SLAS SLIP account. A password reset link will be emailed to the address associated with the SLAS SLIP account. The password reset link will expire in 24 hours. If multiple password reset emails are requested, only the most recent password reset link will be active. If you need further assistance resetting the account password, please contact the SLAS staff at 877.267.9855, Option 1.

  • How do I file an endorsement?
    • To file an endorsement to a policy previously entered into SLAS SLIP, select Endorsement/Other or Policy Search from the Policy tab on the navigation menu. Enter the policy number or insured name to search for the original policy, and click Add Transaction to the left of the policy number. Then, complete the transaction information for the endorsement and click Submit.

      Endorsements for policies reported directly to the state or through OPTins are not reported in SLAS SLIP until the policy is renewed. If you are unable to locate the new business or renewal transaction in SLAS SLIP, please contact SLAS staff at info@slasclearinghouse.com. 

  • How do I correct a transaction that was submitted in SLAS?
    • If the transaction was reported with incorrect information, you can update the data by going to the Policy tab on the navigation menu and selecting Policy Search. Search for the policy using any of the policy search criteria, and then click View to the left of the policy number you want to correct.

      Edit Policy Information: If the policy number, expiration date, insured name, insured address, or location of risk is incorrect, click the Edit button in the bottom right of the Policy Information box, correct the incorrect information, and click Save.

      Edit Transaction Information: If the coverage code, tax status, transaction type, effective date, policy expiration date, insurer(s), premium, or policy fees are incorrect, click the Edit icon to the left of the incorrect transaction, and click the Edit button at the bottom of the Transaction Information box. Update the incorrect information and click Submit. Editing transaction information will create backout and correction transactions. Click OK to submit.

      Backout Transaction: If you filed the transaction in error and need to remove it from SLAS SLIP, use the Backout feature to reverse the erroneous transaction. To reverse the transaction, click the Edit icon to the left of the erroneous transaction, then click the Backout button at the bottom of the Transaction Information box. Clicking the Backout button will automatically reverse the transaction data, taxes, and SLAS transaction fees.

      Please note that editing a transaction or filing a backout transaction on a policy submitted in a previous quarter will not adjust the original invoice. The adjustments to the taxes and SLAS transaction fees, if applicable, will be shown on the invoice received at the end of the quarter when the edit or backout transaction is filed.

  • How do I report a policy in force with $0.00 in premium?
    • You can report new or renewal transactions with $0.00 to ensure the policy is reported within the timeframes required by the applicable state law. Once premium is paid, it will need to be reported as a subsequent transaction in SLAS SLIP or XML Batch. Please note, non-premium bearing endorsements do not have to be reported in SLAS. 

  • Why does my confirmation number begin with a "Q"?
    • A confirmation number beginning with "Q" indicates the transaction is questioned and does not meet one or more of the SLAS state business rules. Transactions In Question (TIQ) are indicated with a "Q" at the beginning of the confirmation number. The types of TIQs are:

      • SA2 (Standalone Additional Premium Endorsement)
      • URP (Unbalanced Returned Premium)
      • URF (Unbalanced Returned Policy Fees)
      • TS7 (Tax Status 7 - Tax-Exempt Insured)

      TIQs should be corrected as soon as possible. Certain types of TIQs may not be invoiced until they are corrected. Please contact SLAS staff at info@slasclearinghouse.com if you need assistance correcting the transaction.

  • What is a Standalone Additional Premium (SA2) TIQ?
    • A Standalone Additional Premium (SA2) TIQ is when an additional premium transaction is filed and there is no existing new business or renewal transaction. This TIQ can occur either by:

      1. Filing the endorsement without the new business or renewal transaction, or
      2. Reversing the new business or renewal transaction without reversing the endorsement.

      An SA2 TIQ can only be corrected by the SLIP user. To correct this TIQ, submit the new business or renewal transaction in SLIP or XML Batch, or edit the effective date of the additional premium endorsement to fall within the policy period.

  • What is an Unbalanced Returned Premium (URP) TIQ?
    • An Unbalanced Returned Premium (URP) TIQ occurs when a return premium or cancellation transaction is filed with a premium that exceeds the total premium submitted for the same coverage code and policy period. An Unbalanced Returned Premium (URP) TIQ can only be corrected by the SLIP user. To correct this TIQ, update the premium on the return premium or cancellation endorsement, or submit the additional premium required to ensure the returned premium no longer exceeds the total premium paid for the policy period.


  • What is an Unbalanced Returned Policy Fees (URF) TIQ?
    • An Unbalanced Returned Policy Fees (URF) TIQ is a return premium or cancellation transaction with a policy fee amount that is greater than the total policy fee submitted for the same coverage code and policy period. An Unbalanced Returned Policy Fees TIQ must be corrected by the SLIP user. To correct this TIQ, update the policy fee amount on the return premium or cancellation endorsement, or submit the additional policy fees required to make the total policy fees paid for the policy period greater than the returned policy fees.

  • What is a Tax Status 7 (TS7) TIQ?
    • Tax Status 7 indicates that the insured for the policy being reported is exempt from surplus lines tax. All new business and renewal transactions reported under Tax Status 7 will be questioned (TS7). Tax Status 7 TIQs must be accepted by SLAS staff. The SLAS staff will reach out to the appropriate state to verify that the insured is exempt from surplus lines tax. Once the state has approved the tax exemption, the transaction will be accepted. 

  • How do I submit a transaction if the insurance company is not listed in the Insurer dropdown list in SLAS SLIP?
    • Please contact the SLAS staff at info@slasclearinghouse.com if the insurer for your policy does not appear on the insurer list in SLAS SLIP.

  • Do I need to select the syndicate when filing a policy for Lloyd's of London?
    • Oklahoma requires SLIP users to report the syndicate when Lloyd's of London is selected as the insurer. If you are reporting an Oklahoma policy, select Lloyd's Underwriters of London from the Insurer list, and you will be prompted to select a syndicate from the quarterly NAIC Lloyd's of London Syndicate list. 

      For South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming policies, you do not need to report the Lloyd's syndicate. Simply select Lloyd's Underwriters of London from the insurer list. 


  • How do I file a layered policy with multiple insurers?
    • To file a policy with more than one insurance carrier, click on New Policy under the Policy tab and complete the policy and transaction information. In the insurer section on the Transaction Information page, enter the first insurer and associated premium and policy fees (if applicable). Then click the Add Insurer link, select the additional insurer, and complete the premium and policy fee information. Repeat these steps for each carrier on the policy.

      If you need to delete a layer, click the blue minus sign button to the right of the policy fee field. Once you have completed the premium and policy fees for all insurers on the policy, click Submit.

  • How do I file a policy with multiple lines of coverage?
    • To file a policy with more than one coverage, click on New Policy under the Policy tab and complete the policy and transaction information, including the type of coverage and premium associated with that coverage, and click Submit. Then, click the Add Transaction button on the Policy Details screen, and enter the transaction information including the additional coverage code. Complete the remaining transaction information, including the premium for the line of coverage you are filing, and click Submit.
  • How do I file a renewal transaction?
    • The Renewal option under the Policy tab can be used to submit renewal transactions whether the policy number will remain the same or has been updated. 

      To use this option, navigate to the Renew Policy screen, enter the policy number exactly as it was previously entered. If you do not know the exact number, click on Advanced Search to use the Policy Search tool to retrieve the policy.

      Once you have entered the policy number correctly, the system will take you to the Policy Details. Please review the policy data for accuracy and edit if necessary. Complete the transaction information and click Submit. The renewal transaction will be added to the existing policy in SLIP.

      If the policy number has changed from the previous term for the renewal, entered the new policy number in the Policy Details section. Then complete the transaction details, and click Submit. The system will create a new policy record for the renewal.

      Please note, the policy must have been previously reported in SLAS SLIP to use the Policy Search/Renewal option.

      NOTE: Searching for the policy in Policy Search and then editing the policy number will change the policy number for all transactions reported for the policy (i.e., any prior new business or endorsement transactions reported).

  • How do I file an endorsement for a policy that was reported under an agent who is no longer the agent of record?
    • Complete the Transfer of Business forms, including the relinquishing and assuming agents' signatures, and email the completed forms and any supporting documents (i.e., BOR letter, etc.) to info@slasclearinghouse.com. 
  • How do I run a report that will show all the transactions I have submitted for a given time period?
    • The SLIP Transactions Report provides a list of transactions reported under an agent’s license during a given time period. This report can be run for any date range and can be exported to a .pdf or .csv format. To run the report, select SLIP Reports from the Reports tab on the navigation bar, and select SLIP Transactions Report in the dropdown box. Enter the following criteria:

      • State
      • Submit date (when a transaction was filed in SLAS SLIP) or effective date (the effective date of the transaction)
      • Enter the date range for the transactions you would like to include in the report
      • Select the report type (.pdf or .csv)

      Then click Generate Report.

      PLEASE NOTE:

      1. Make sure your pop-up blocker is disabled before generating the report.
      2. If transactions have been transferred to a new agent of record, they will NOT appear on the relinquishing agent’s SLIP Transactions Report. Transferred transactions will appear on the current agent of record’s SLIP Transactions Report.

  • How and when will I receive my surplus lines tax and SLAS transaction fee invoices?
    • Tax and SLAS transaction fee invoices are issued on the first business day following the end of each calendar quarter for business reported in the preceding quarter. All invoices are delivered to the SLIP Inbox. The first page of the Billing Report is the invoice for state surplus lines taxes. You will receive a separate tax invoice for each SLAS state. The SLAS transaction fee invoices will be a separate link in the SLIP Inbox. You can also view the tax and SLAS transaction fee invoices on the View Invoices page under the Invoicing tab in SLIP.


      The Billing Report lists all transactions included in the tax and SLAS transaction fee invoices. The Billing Report should be used to reconcile the quarterly invoices. Please visit the Invoicing and Payments page of our website for more information.

  • Where are my tax and SLAS transaction fee invoices located in SLIP?
    • State tax invoices are at the beginning of the Billing Report. All invoices and the Billing Report are delivered to the SLIP Inbox on the first business day following the end of the quarter. Billing Reports can also be generated in SLIP Reports under the Reports tab once the quarter has ended, and the tax and transaction fee invoices have been issued. Invoices can be viewed on the View Invoices page in SLIP.
  • How many invoices will I receive from SLAS SLIP?
    • You may receive up to five invoices:

      • A tax invoice for each state with reported business for the previous quarter (Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming)
      • A SLAS transaction fee invoice for the fees charged on all transactions reported in the previous quarter
  • Can I apply my credit memo to other invoices that are due?
    • Tax and SLAS transaction fee credits are automatically applied during the billing process. The Pay Invoices screen in SLIP will show the remaining balance due or credit balance after the credits have been applied. Customers with a SLAS transaction fee credit will also receive a statement showing the remaining balance due or credit balance.

      Tax credits can only be applied toward outstanding taxes for the same state and same agent account. For instance, a South Dakota tax credit cannot be applied to a Tennessee tax amount due. Additionally, credits cannot be invoiced to one agent and then applied to another agent, even for the same state.

      If you have a credit balance on a state tax invoice, it must roll forward one calendar quarter before a refund can be requested. If the credit balance remains outstanding after one quarter, you may request a refund of the taxes and transaction fees. To request a refund, contact our accounting department at accounting@slasclearinghouse.com, or by phone at 877.267.9855, option 2.

  • Why did I receive a SLAS transaction fee invoice and a statement?
    • Customers with an outstanding SLAS transaction fee balance (amount due or credit amount) from the preceding quarter will receive a statement in addition to their current quarterly invoice. Customers who receive a statement should pay the statement amount (if applicable).

  • What information do I need to submit ACH payments?
    • Taxes and SLAS transaction fees are paid via ACH Debit in SLIP. Please provide your bank with the Company IDs listed below prior to submitting the ACH payments in SLIP. Failure to provide the information below may result in returned tax and transaction fee payments. 

      Payee

      Invoice Type

      Payment Type

      Payment Information

      South Dakota

      Taxes

      ACH Only

      Company ID: 1466000334
      Company Name: SD DLR-DIV OF INS
      Entry Description: SURPLSLNES

      Tennessee

      Taxes

      ACH Only

      Company ID: V626001445
      Company Name: Tennessee DCI

      Wyoming

      Taxes

      ACH Only

      Company ID: A830208667
      Company Name: Wyoming Insurance Department

      SLAS Transaction Fee (FSLSO)

      Transaction Fee

      ACH or Check

      Company ID: 2593501857
      Company Name: FSLSO SLAS Fee


      Banking information for the Oklahoma Insurance Department will be provided during the first quarter 2024 prior to the April 1, 2024 billing.

  • What are the remittance addresses for tax and SLAS transaction fee invoices?
    • All state tax invoices must be paid via ACH Debit transaction in SLIP.  SLAS transaction fee invoices can be paid by ACH in SLIP or by check. Below are the mailing and overnight addresses for SLAS transaction fee payments only (note: tax payments remitted by check to the addresses below will be returned and may be subject to late penalties).

      Mailing Address

      Overnight Address

      Florida Surplus Lines Service Office
      P.O. Box 532301
      Atlanta, GA 30353-2301

      BMO Lockbox #532301
      100 Southcrest Drive
      Stockbridge, GA 30281

  • How do I apply for a refund of taxes or SLAS transaction fees?
    • Credit balances for taxes or SLAS transaction fees must roll forward one quarter before a refund can be requested. All refunds require completed refund forms and supporting documentation detailing the credit amount(s) requested. To request a refund, contact our accounting department at accounting@slasclearinghouse.com or 877.267.9855, option 2.
  • Where do I find my payment confirmation?
    • Payment confirmations for tax and SLAS transaction fee payments are available on the View Payment History page under the Invoicing tab in SLIP. The payment confirmation number is the number listed in the column labeled Payment #. Click the payment number to view the payment details in a print-friendly format. 
  • Does Bulletin No. 12-2023 apply to carriers?
    • Bulletin No. 12-2023 only applies to Oklahoma surplus lines agents and direct procurement filers. Currently, non-admitted carriers are not required to report Oklahoma policy data in SLAS SLIP.

  • Can I register my agency for an Oklahoma SLIP account?
    • No, currently agency accounts are not available in SLAS SLIP. All Oklahoma surplus lines policies should be reported under the individual surplus lines agent's license. Agency accounts will be available later in 2024. 
  • Which Oklahoma policies should be filed in SLAS SLIP?
    • All policies, and any associated endorsements, effective on or after January 1, 2024 should be filed in SLAS SLIP. Any policies, or endorsements on policies, effective prior to January 1, 2024 should be filed in OPTins.

      For more information, you can view our SLAS Oklahoma training webinar

  • What is the filing requirement for Oklahoma transactions?
    • All policies and endorsements must be filed within 30 days after the calendar quarter of the effective date.

  • What is the Oklahoma surplus lines tax?
    • The Oklahoma surplus lines tax is currently 6% of the gross premium (premium + policy fees).
  • Are policy fees subject to the surplus lines tax and SLAS transaction fee?
    • Yes, all policy fees (i.e., inspection fees, carrier fees, broker fees, etc.) are taxable and should be reported in the Policy Fees field in SLAS SLIP.

  • What is the payment schedule for Oklahoma surplus lines taxes and the SLAS transaction fee?
    • Oklahoma surplus lines taxes and SLAS transaction fees are invoiced and paid quarterly using the following schedule:

      Reporting Period

      Oklahoma Taxes Due

      SLAS Transaction Fee Due

      Q1 (January 1 - March 30)

      April 30

      May 15

      Q2 (April 1 - June 30)

      July 31

      August 15

      Q3 (July 1 - September 30)

      October 31

      November 15

      Q4 (October 1 - December 31)

      January 31

      February 15



  • Do I need to file the individual syndicate names when submitting a transaction placed with Lloyd's of London?
    • Oklahoma requires SLIP users to report the syndicate when Lloyd's of London is selected as the insurer. If you are reporting an Oklahoma policy, select Lloyd's Underwriters of London from the Insurer list, and you will be prompted to select a syndicate from the quarterly NAIC Lloyd's of London Syndicate list. 

      For South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming policies, you do not need to report the Lloyd's syndicate. Simply select Lloyd's Underwriters of London from the insurer list. 

  • Is Flood coverage exempt from Oklahoma surplus lines tax?
    • Yes, all surplus and excess Flood policies in Oklahoma, commercial or personal lines, are exempt from the surplus lines tax. Flood policies will be charged the SLAS transaction fee. When filing a Flood coverage for Oklahoma, select Tax Status 6 – Tax-Exempt Coverage from the Tax Status dropdown list in SLIP. The following are available Flood coverages in SLAS SLIP:

      • Flood-Commercial
      • Flood-Personal
      • Excess Flood-Commercial
      • Excess Flood-Personal
  • Does Oklahoma require a zero business quarterly affidavit filing?
    • No, if the surplus lines agent did not transact any business during the quarter, Oklahoma does not require a quarterly affidavit to be filed. Quarterly affidavit filings are only required if the agent wrote business during the quarter. To file the quarterly affidavit, go to Reports and select Affidavits.


      Affidavit Filing Schedule

        Reporting Quarter Affidavit Filing Deadline
        1st Quarter (January 1 – March 31) April 30
        2nd Quarter (April 1 – June 30) July 31
        3rd Quarter (July 1 – September 30) October 31
        4th Quarter (October 1 - December 31) January 31
  • Does Oklahoma require a zero business annual filing?
    • Yes, Oklahoma requires an annual report to be filed with OID even if the agent did not transact any business during the prior reporting period. Annual report filings for 2023 should be filed via OPTins. The first annual filing in Oklahoma SLIP will be due in 2025 for the 2024 reporting period.
  • Are declinations required for Tennessee policies?
    • Tennessee requires that declinations are reported for every new business or renewal policy. In 2019 the Tennessee DCI made an update to the declination requirement that depending on the type of coverage, the minimum number of declinations is either one or three. The SLAS 2019-01 Bulletin: Tennessee Declination Requirements outlines the minimum declination requirements by coverage. 

      To add an additional declination, click the Add Insurer link at the top of the Declinations box. To delete a declination, click the 'X' to the right of the insurer declination. Please know that the system will not allow you report a policy if the minimum required declination is not included. The insurer declination information for all policies should be retained by the surplus lines agent to be reviewed by the State of Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, upon request.

  • I am filing a Tennessee policy for an Exempt Commercial Purchaser. What do I enter for the declination information?
    • When entering a policy for an Tennessee Exempt Commercial Purchaser, you will need to enter the following information for all three required declinations:

      • Insurer Name: Exempt Commercial Purchaser
      • NAIC #: 00000
      • This information is only needed when entering new business or renewal transactions.