Here you can read up on significant developments in the world of sales and use tax. Find the latest legislative updates and helpful tips to keep you in compliance across all 50 states. You can filter news items by topic and/or a jurisdiction of interest.
A Colorado appeals court has ruled that Netflix subscriptions are subject to sales tax. Learn how this decision impacts digital service providers and tax compliance nationwide.
Illinois’ new tax on lease receipts took effect Jan. 1, 2025, but the law does not provide transition relief for property already taxed when purchased for lease. That creates potential double taxation on pre-2025 lease contracts and raises major concerns for lessors and lessees.
Starting May 1 through June 30, 2026, Alabama will temporarily remove the state sales tax on most food items. The temporary tax break comes as part of Act 2026-604, which removes the state sales and use tax on qualifying food…
Effective July 1, 2026, Utah has enacted a state sales tax exemption for sales of food and food ingredients or prepared food sold by a home cook, including home food products sold at a direct-to-sale farmers market or direct-to-sale location.…
Colorado has amended its sales tax filing-frequency rules, including updated thresholds that allow some retailers collecting less tax each month to file less often. Learn what changed, when the new rules apply, and how the update affects monthly, quarterly, and annual filers.
A judge has held that Amazon owes uncollected taxes, penalties, and interest on third-party sales made pre-Wayfair.
The Ohio Supreme Court upheld a Commercial Activity Tax assessment against a contract manufacturer, ruling that receipts were properly sitused to Ohio when goods were shipped to an Ohio distribution center before later resale and shipment out of state. The decision offers important guidance on CAT sourcing and refund claims.
Washington’s Department of Revenue is offering temporary penalty relief for businesses affected by ESSB 5814, which made certain services newly subject to retail sales tax beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The program can waive penalties for qualifying unpaid or uncollected tax tied to those changes.
A Washington Court of Appeals decision held that natural gas used in semiconductor manufacturing can qualify for a tax exemption even without direct physical contact with the product. The ruling clarifies how Washington interprets the gases-and-chemicals exemption and could affect other manufacturers claiming similar relief.
A Washington Court of Appeals decision clarifies that legal-service receipts for B&O tax apportionment must be sourced to where the client receives the benefit of the work, not simply the billing address. The ruling has important implications for law firms, multistate service providers, and audit risk.
A Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision held that StubHub is liable for sales tax on ticket resales and is also subject to a negligence penalty for failing to pay it. The ruling has important implications for ticket marketplaces and other online platforms facilitating taxable transactions.
The Wyoming Supreme Court reversed a refund decision and held that electricity used in oilfield operations does not qualify for the “transportation business” sales tax exemption. Key takeaways for oil & gas taxpayers seeking sales/use tax refunds on utilities and field equipment.
A New York Tax Appeals Tribunal decision explains that sales tax on motor vehicle leases is due at lease inception (as a transaction tax), and lessors generally can’t claim sales tax credits for end-of-lease TRAC adjustments and lessee refunds. Key takeaways for fleet lessors and leasing companies.
An Illinois private letter ruling (ST 25-0008-PLR) concludes that equipment used to clean and upgrade landfill gas into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas does not qualify for the manufacturing machinery and equipment exemption because it is treated as taxable gas treatment delivered through pipelines.
Beginning April 1, 2026, Washington will treat self-service storage unit rentals as a taxable service for B&O tax (Service & Other Activities). The Department also clarifies that businesses generally do not collect retail sales tax on the storage rental/lease charge—plus how related retail sales (boxes, locks, etc.) are taxed.
New York now allows electronic signatures on tax powers of attorney, making it easier for taxpayers to authorize representation and manage audits.
Beginning January 1, 2026, California will impose a point‑of‑sale fee on covered battery‑embedded products under Senate Bill 1215. Retailers and manufacturers must register, collect, and remit the new Covered Battery‑Embedded (CBE) Waste Recycling Fee. Learn what qualifies and how to comply.
North Carolina’s Department of Revenue issues guidance on how retailers should apply sales tax rounding rules for cash transactions following the suspension of penny production, including when and how to round totals to the nearest five cents.
Maine Revenue Services has updated the Sales & Use Tax Guide and Instructional Bulletin No. 36 on exempt organizations and government agencies, clarifying tax exemptions and compliance requirements for nonprofits, schools, hospitals, and government entities.
A Missouri letter ruling confirms that food and beverage sales at a vocational career center are exempt from state sales tax when sold by or for the benefit of the nonprofit educational institution. Learn the criteria and key takeaways for similar organizations.
The New Jersey Division of Taxation clarifies that when sellers pass federal tariff costs on to customers, those tariff markups are included in the taxable sales price for New Jersey sales tax, even if shown separately on invoices.
New Hampshire’s 2025–2026 tax amnesty program offers relief on penalties and 50% interest for unpaid taxes. Learn eligibility, deadlines, and how to participate.
Nevada has changed the due date for sales and use tax returns, impacting when businesses must file and remit tax to avoid penalties and interest. Learn the new deadline, when it applies, and what taxpayers should do to stay compliant.
The New York Tax Appeals Tribunal has upheld an earlier ruling by an administrative law judge (ALJ) that fees charged by a taxpayer for their vendor management system (VMS), provided through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, are subject to taxation as software licensing.