“There is no one in my life who understands or appreciates the complexity of what we do. To be chosen for this award by people who are in it every day with me validates all the hard work I’ve put in over the past few years of living with, learning about, and loving the wild ride that is sales tax law in the US.”
Heidi Diegelman is a Tax Associate at AmWINS Group, where she specializes in sales and use tax. Heidi is a natural problem solver and has a talent for creating efficient workflows. The Sales Tax Institute is proud to announce Heidi Diegelman as the winner of the 2024 Sales Tax Nerd Award! The Sales Tax Nerd Award recognizes sales tax professionals who demonstrate dedicated passion and commitment to the study and practice of sales tax.
The award does not solely weigh prior accolades or job titles, it also awards a professional for being a self-proclaimed “sales tax nerd” who loves working in the field and sharing their knowledge with others.
”Interviewing and selecting the Sales Tax Nerd of the Year is one of my favorite things to do. It inspires me to read about each of the applicants and to learn more about our finalists. Every year it seems to get harder to differentiate the absolute Sales Tax Nerd. What stood out about Heidi is her interest in helping others and finding ways to build community. I’m excited to work with her over the next year to help her vision come to reality.” – Diane Yetter
Meet Heidi, learn more about her career, and watch her reaction
to winning the 2024 Sales Tax Nerd Award!
For this year’s Sales Tax Nerd Award winner, her career is more than numbers and compliance—it’s a labor of love. “[Sales tax] is like a puzzle,” she says, “every state is a piece, each with its own quirks and rules, and fitting them together is endlessly fascinating.” Starting in public accounting, she quickly realized how crucial her work could be in alleviating the burdens of business owners. From crafting solutions for multinational corporations to helping small businesses navigate nexus complexities, her expertise has left a lasting impact. “The look on someone’s face when you solve the problem that’s been keeping them up at night is the best reward.”
Her passion for problem-solving extends beyond the job description. She sees sales tax as a way to level the playing field for businesses of all sizes. Whether helping a small business owner in North Carolina decipher complex city-level rules in Colorado or guiding multinational firms through post-Wayfair compliance, she thrives on providing clarity. “I love how some rules make perfect sense, while others seem nonsensical—it keeps me learning every day,” she shares.
This year’s winner has demonstrated remarkable initiative in her roles. At her current job, she built a sales tax process from the ground up, creating a roadmap that ensures seamless compliance for her organization. She also successfully obtained a private ruling in Canada to exempt an entity from GST, giving her company a competitive edge. Reflecting on her achievements, she emphasizes, “I’m most proud of creating systems that not only work but empower others to succeed.” Her innovative spirit is matched by a commitment to mentoring and educating, as she dreams of leading seminars for small business owners to demystify sales tax complexities.
Her work reflects a deep understanding of how compliance impacts businesses on every level. By streamlining processes and ensuring transparency, she has helped reduce administrative burdens for her team, allowing them to focus on their core objectives. “Seeing how a well-crafted system can alleviate stress for others is incredibly rewarding,” she explains. Whether it’s revamping billing systems or identifying savings through precise tax strategies, her contributions consistently make a difference.
Winning the Sales Tax Nerd Award is a humbling and validating experience. “To be chosen by people who live and breathe this work every day is incredible,” she says. Beyond the recognition, she’s excited to share her enthusiasm and knowledge with others. Her advice to aspiring tax professionals? “Be ready to learn and ask questions. The complexity of the system means there’s always something new to discover—and a community of passionate professionals ready to help.” As she looks ahead, she’s excited to explore new areas like manufacturing exemptions and VAT while continuing to make a meaningful impact in the sales tax world.
Her vision for the future goes beyond her personal success. She hopes to create accessible resources for small business owners, like seminars at local community colleges or Chamber of Commerce workshops, that would make sales tax less intimidating. “How is a small business owner supposed to keep up with all these nuances? I want to be someone who makes their lives a little easier,” she says. For her, being part of the sales tax community isn’t just about solving puzzles—it’s about empowering others and ensuring businesses thrive.
This year’s winner reminds us that behind the forms and filings, sales tax is about people, problem-solving, and passion. Congratulations to our newest Sales Tax Nerd—an innovator, educator, and true champion of the field!
The Sales Tax Institute is also thrilled to recognize an outstanding group of 2024 award finalists. The finalists represent a variety of backgrounds and industries within the profession. All demonstrate a passion for learning and a dedication to paying their sales tax knowledge forward.
We are so proud to know this group of professionals that advocate bringing an increased focus on sales tax within their companies and the wider field of accounting.
The 2024 finalists include:
Learn more about each finalist on the Sales Tax Nerd Award page.