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How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

May 17, 2015

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Presented by Susan Petracco of AccurateTax.com.

These days, online sales tax, tax laws, and rules and rate changes are in the news almost constantly. With thousands of jurisdictions in the United States, different sourcing model and taxability rules for each state, and competing federal and state laws attempting to define what sales tax should be collected, the idea of sales tax can seem daunting to the large and small business owner alike.

Ecommerce sellers should become familiar with what 'nexus' is as it pertains to sales tax, as well as applicability of nexus concepts and issues as they relate to sales and use tax.

Come join us as Susan Petracco, an ecommerce and tax software developer, presents an exploratory review of the entire sales tax lifecycle and how your business can be prepared for whatever the future may hold.
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Page 1: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax
Page 2: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

A Few Definitions

• Sales Tax & Use Tax• Nexus • Sourcing Rules

Page 3: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Sales Tax – Sourcing Map

Page 4: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

A Few Definitions

• Sales Tax & Use Tax• Nexus • Sourcing Rules

• Custom Tax Rules

Page 5: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Sales Tax – The Past

Page 6: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

A Brief History of (Internet) Sales Tax

• 1992: Quill v. North Dakota• Misconception that internet sales are really

tax free

Page 7: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax
Page 8: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

A Brief History of (Internet) Sales Tax

• 1992: Quill v. North Dakota• Misconception that internet sales are really

tax free…• The perceived lack of online sales tax was a

driving force for e-commerce• The cost of not requiring retailers to collect

online sales tax has made this an economic issue for states

Page 9: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Sales Tax – The Present

Page 10: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Sales Tax – Today’s Landscape

• Thousands of taxing jurisdictions across the US• Limited centralized processes for managing sales

tax• Many states still have little capability to enforce

their own rules• Audits are more about getting the big fish, but

smaller retailers are being looked at more frequently now as well

• Compliance is a moving target

Page 11: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Questions You Need to Answer

• What do I sell? • Where do I sell it from? • How do I sell it?

Page 12: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Sales Tax Lifecycle

• Assessment of location• Determination of products• Calculation• Collection• Reporting• Remittance Sales Tax

Page 13: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

How Hard is it to Calculate Sales Tax?

• In certain states and for some businesses, it’s simple.

• Destination v. origin sourcing• Nexus and collecting for multiple states• Product tax classing• Gotchas: Tax holidays, thresholds

Page 14: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

As Your Tax Burden Grows…• Signing up in multiple states• Remitting across multiple systems• Calculating the correct amount to remit –

sales, partial shipments, cancellations, returns• Handling tax-exempt customers

Page 15: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Addressing My Store’s Needs• Nexus Determination • Assess your tax liability, review it as often as

changes occur • Trust your CPA, but verify• Find a software solution that supports YOUR

needs

Page 16: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

• What is SSTP? – Conforming states, non-conforming states, and associate

members– Sourcing Rules, Taxability Matrix Charts,

Reporting/Remittance

What else is out there today? Streamlined Sales Tax Project

• How does this affect me as a retailer? – At this point it’s voluntary– Volunteer versus non-volunteer sellers – Free software – Relief from Liability

• Streamlined doesn’t necessarily mean simple

Page 17: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

SSTP by the Map

Page 18: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Should You Consider SSTP Now?

• What you commit to• What you get in return• Is it worth it now? Or in the future?

Page 19: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Sales Tax – The Future

Page 20: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Marketplace Fairness Act

• Marketplace Fairness Act (MFA): What is it?• A history of past legislation• Where the bill currently stands• Small seller exemption

Page 21: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Marketplace Fairness Act

• What are the chances of this passing?• If it passes? – States joining SSTP vs. building their own solution– Compliance dates (90-180 days) – Solutions for Retailers• DIY vs. Third-Party Provider • Certified Service Providers

Page 22: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

SSTP and MFA, Together

• SSTP is likely to become a bigger player• SSTP already has a model in place • Taxability Matrix Definition and Reporting Processes• Boundary/Rate File management process • Certification Process for States and Vendors • Group of existing Certified Service Providers (CSPs)

Page 23: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Preparing for What Comes Next

• Seek advice from your CPA or tax consultant sooner rather than later

• Stay informed about the status of Marketplace Fairness

• Monitor state legislation, including those that affect your nexus

• Small Seller Exception removes a great deal of concern (if it stays)

• Determine options for calculating online sales tax (both software and data)

Page 24: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Choosing a Sales Tax Solution

• Integrates with your shopping cart or provides a programming interface (API)

• Fits your budget – monthly, setup fees, long-term commitment

• Provides the tools you need: Calculation reports, remittances, exemption certificate management

Page 25: How Ecommerce Stores Can Prepare for Online Sales Tax

Find this presentation online at: http://www.slideshare.net/accuratetax/

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