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Washington State Taxes Bottled Water Once Again

Effective August 1, 2017, the State of Washington will extend its retail sales tax to sales of bottled water. The sales tax expansion is part of a revenue bill (HB 2163) passed to raise funds for the recently enacted state budget. Bottled water was taxable until 2004, and was then tax exempt for the next […]

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Idaho Grocery Tax Will Continue Says State Supreme Court

Idahoans will still need to pay taxes on groceries following a recent decision by the state’s Supreme Court.  The Idaho Legislature had passed a bill (House Bill 67) exempting groceries from sales tax, this bill was subsequently vetoed by the Governor.  The Legislature mounted a legal challenge to the validity of the veto, stating it […]

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Washington State Jumps on the Remote Seller Notice Bandwagon

Washington State recently enacted House Bill 2163 in conjuncture with the State’s recently passed budget. Included in this bill are provisions imposing sales tax obligations on internet sales to Washington consumers. Starting on January 1, 2018 remote sellers who make retail sales of $10,000 a year or more into Washington will be required to either […]

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Further Clarity of Pending Puerto Rico Sales Tax Legislation

As reported earlier on this forum, Puerto Rico is considering 2017-2018 budget legislation that may significantly impact remittance requirements for existing taxpayers in the immediate future. Specifically the bill which is currently sitting on the Governor’s desk, would require taxpayers whose average sales tax liability is at least $2000 per month (or who otherwise qualify […]

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Colorado Finalizes Emergency Rule on Reporting for Non Collecting Retailers

As previously reported in this forum, on July 1, 2017, Colorado’s long anticipated notice and reporting requirements for non-collecting retailers goes into effect. In the last few days, Colorado moved to finalize the details as to how the rule will be enforced, which are described in Emergency Rule 39.21-112.35. This law requires retailers that do not […]

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Louisiana qualifies agricultural exemptions: feed, seed, and fertilizer

Senate Bill 97 (Act No. 378) qualifies the Louisiana sales and use tax exemptions for certain agricultural items.  Effective January 1, 2018, sales of seeds used for planting crops, pesticides used for agricultural purposes, liquefied petroleum gases used for farm purposes, and commercial farm irrigation equipment will only be exempt when made to commercial farmers.

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Louisiana exempts coins and precious metals.

Under House Bill 396 (Act No. 340) Louisiana will permit full exemptions from sales and use taxes for platinum, gold, or silver bullion, valued on its precious metal content; numismatic coins with a sales price of no more than one thousand dollars; and numismatic coins sold at a national, statewide, or multi-parish numismatic trade show. […]

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How Leading Retailers Use Sales Tax Technology to Enable Growth

Sales and Use Tax Process: Benchmarks and Best Practices for Retailers Webinar Recap Thank you again for joining us on June 14 for our latest webinar, “Sales and Use Tax Process: Benchmarks and Best Practices for Retailers.” Mark Christenson and I shared results of a recent Aberdeen Benchmark Study revealing the unique challenges retailers of […]

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No Tax Breaks for Georgians

Georgia residents will not be getting a break on their back-to-school shopping next month.  Each year, the legislature passes sales tax holidays for back-to-school items and energy efficient appliances; however, the legislature did not pass any holidays for 2017.  Therefore, there will be no tax break for back-to-school items in July, and no tax break […]

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West Virginia Increases Motor Vehicle Sales Tax

West Virginia recently enacted legislation which will increase the motor vehicle sales tax from 5% to 6% effective July 1, 2017. Dealers are required to collect and remit this tax to the Division of Motor Vehicles. Revenue generated from this tax increase will be used to fund highway construction projects across the state.

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Sales and Use Tax Process Benchmarks and Best Practices Webinar Recap

Sales and Use Tax Webinar for Manufacturers – Recap from May 16 Thank you again for joining us on May 16 for our latest Tax Tuesday Webinar, Sales and Use Tax Process Benchmarks and Best Practices for Manufacturers. During this webinar, Mark Christenson and I shared results of a recent Aberdeen Benchmark Study that contained […]

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Tacoma Washington Plastic Bag Ban

Last July the City of Tacoma, Washington passed Ordinance No. 28367, a “Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance.” This law bans the distribution of disposable plastic bags by retailers and imposes a minimum five cent fee on paper bags.  Retailers (including restaurants), will be allowed to keep this fee. The law does not apply to bags for […]

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Arkansas Increases Local Sales Tax Rates in Five Jurisdictions, Effective July 1, 2017

Effective July 1,2017, five jurisdictions in Arkansas will either increase or decrease their sales and use tax rates. The locations impacted by this change include, the city of Eureka Springs, which is decreasing the sales and use tax rate to 2.25%; the city of Lamar, which is increasing the rate to 2.0%; the city of […]

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Tennessee Reduces Sales and Use Tax on Food

The State of Tennessee has enacted House Bill 534, also known as the IMPROVE Act.  This legislation is effective July 1, 2017 and reduces the sales and use tax on food and food ingredients from 5% to 4% . Food and food ingredients includes substances that are sold for ingestion or chewing by humans and […]

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Massachusetts Develops a Novel Approach to Nexus – What It Means To Ecommerce Sellers

Massachusetts is attempting to avoid a head-on challenge to Quill, opting instead for rules that stretch — but attempt not to break — the physical presence standard. Internet vendors should take serious note of Massachusetts’ new approach to defining what constitutes physical nexus. If you partake in one of these three types of common activities, […]

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Tacoma Washington Plastic Bag Ban

Last July the City of Tacoma, Washington passed Ordinance No. 28367, a “Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance.” This law bans the distribution of disposable plastic bags by retailers and imposes a minimum five cent fee on paper bags.  Retailers (including restaurants), will be allowed to keep this fee. The law does not apply to bags for […]

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North Dakota Increases Prepaid E911 Fee

North Dakota recently enacted legislation which will increase the Prepaid Wireless Emergency 911 Fee from 2.0% to 2.5% effective July 1, 2017. Retailers are required to collect this fee on all sales of prepaid wireless services and minutes. Retailers must remit the collection of such fees to the State Tax Commissioner. Revenue generated from this increase […]

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North Dakota Exempts Internet Access Services from Sales and Use Tax

Effective July 1, 2017, North Dakota will begin to provide an exemption from sales tax for sales of “internet access services.” Since 1998, the Internet Tax Freedom Act has prohibited federal, state and local governments from levying a tax on internet access however, seven states which previously had imposed taxes on internet access, including North Dakota, were […]

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