Properly submitting and filing a compliant sales tax return should be a top priority for any business. But it is not always that easy. If organizations don’t have all necessary information, are unaware of required reporting frequencies or have not correctly reported deductions, the sales tax filing process can be difficult – and could even lead to hefty fines or an audit.
Whether you run a small business with one brick and mortar location or you oversee a large organization that has e-commerce sales in numerous states, your sales tax needs cannot be overlooked. There are varied regulations, jurisdictions and forms that need to be properly followed. Sales tax laws are evolving all the time, meaning you cannot assume that things will be the same from one year to the next. For example, the South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. Supreme Court decision has had widespread impact nationwide on how businesses must register, collect and remit sales tax.
The bottom line is: double check everything: from reporting frequencies to pre-payment obligations to valid exemption certificates and more.
This is especially important if you have expanded into new areas, whether it is a fresh jurisdiction in the same state or a new state entirely. Verify if any thresholds have been crossed and what additional sales tax filing rules must be followed. Business growth is great, but you want to make sure it does not come with overlooked sales tax filing requirements.
Additionally, compile all data from each sales channel you have: brick and mortar, e-commerce and marketplace. Did your company integrate online sales into daily operations earlier this year? Have you started selling online into a new state, even if you only have one physical store? These will both likely require additional sales tax filing steps, and must be considered in your filing process.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed as you prepare to file your sales tax returns, but you are not alone. It is okay to not know everything about filing compliant sales tax returns. But it is key to know that there are experts out there who are willing to work with you and make sure that everything is properly reviewed.
That’s why we created this sales tax filing checklist, complete with seven key questions that your business should be able to answer on its way to filing a compliant return. Also be sure to reach out to our team of sales tax experts for even more information on staying up-to-date and ensuring that all of your bases are covered.