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Live Course | Novice | Specialist

Basics of Sales and Use Tax

Dates
July 28-31, 2026
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
28.4 CPE credits
Price
$2,175
Register Now

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Overview

Move from sales tax guesswork to becoming your department’s go-to expert.

Basics of Sales and Use Tax is a live, interactive training for finance, accounting, and consulting professionals who handle sales and use tax. In four days you will gain the confidence, accuracy, and audit readiness to manage your work and become an asset to your team. Presented by TaxCloud.

Your registration includes:

  • 28.4 CPE credits & a Credly digital certification badge for LinkedIn
  • The Basics reference workbook you’ll use for years
  • A 90-day free trial of the Sales Tax Nerd Community
  • Four days of live instruction from leading practitioners
  • One-on-one, confidential instructor access
  • An industry-specific breakout session for your field
  • Meals, snacks, and beverages each day
  • A welcome cocktail reception with faculty and peers
  • Networking across the ten most common sales tax industries

Agenda | Learning Objectives  |  Hotel & Location Info
Cancellation Policy  |  Supervisor Approval Letter Template

About the Basics of Sales & Use Tax Course

Basics of Sales and Use Tax is a live, in-person training designed to give you practical, hands-on expertise over four immersive days. Brought to you by TaxCloud.

 

Why This Course Stands Out

  • Comprehensive & Interactive – Learn essential sales tax concepts through lectures, case studies, and discussions, taught by top industry experts.
  • Immediate Real-World Application – Apply what you learn right away to improve compliance, accuracy, and tax strategy.
  • Exclusive One-on-One Access – Get direct guidance from instructors and ask specific tax questions confidentially (no government auditors allowed).
  • Boost Speed, Accuracy & Decision-Making – Streamline workflows, eliminate guesswork, and make strategic sales tax recommendations with confidence.
  • Small Class Size for Personalized Learning – Limited to under 50 participants for focused attention and meaningful networking and discussions.

Become Your Team’s Go-To Sales Tax Expert

Gain the skills and confidence to end tax confusion and take control of compliance.

Here is the Basics 2026 Agenda. See below for curriculum and timing details.

Fundamental Sales Tax Topics Sessions

Our expert faculty will teach the following fundamental topics: tax base, use tax accrual, Streamlined Sales Tax Project, ethics, career options, nexus, registration, exemptions, incentives, drop shipments, audits, compliance, tax automation.

Industry Overview & Breakout Sessions

Basics will introduce the most important industry-specific sales tax issues for the 10 most common industries: construction, healthcare, hi-tech, hospitality, leasing, manufacturing, professional services, retail, telecom, and utilities. Plus, each attendee will be able to attend one industry deep-dive breakout session where you can learn from an industry specialist and interact with peers in your industry. Breakout sessions offered will be dependent on those that attend.

 CPE Information      Learning Objectives

“I am already getting use out of the knowledge I acquired in the course, and I’ve told my boss twice that it was money well spent. Thanks for all the great info and insights! The class not only educated me but also inspired me and opened my eyes to a potential niche, I go around calling myself by my superhero name now, “Audit Defense Warrior.””

Basics Course Curriculum: What You’ll Learn

Our hands-on, application-driven curriculum equips you with essential sales and use tax knowledge to ensure compliance and confidence in tax management.

  • Nexus & Wayfair Compliance – Understand South Dakota v. Wayfair and how to manage state tax obligations.
  • Top Tax Research Tools – Stay ahead with the latest compliance resources to track tax laws and rates.
  • Audit Defense Strategies – Learn proven tactics to prepare for and navigate state tax audits.
  • Real-World Case Studies – See how businesses solve today’s toughest sales tax challenges.
  • Exclusive Reference Workbook – A go-to tax guide you’ll use for years after the course.
  • Networking & Community – Connect with experts and peers at exclusive social events.
  • Small Class Size – Limited to 50 participants for direct instructor access and a personalized experience.
  • Earn 28.4 CPE Credits + Digital Certification – Get recognized with a Credly certification badge to showcase on LinkedIn and beyond.

And MUCH MORE!

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Learning Objectives: What You’ll Achieve

By the end of the Sales & Use Tax Basics Course, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to navigate tax compliance with ease.

Key Learning Outcomes:

  • Master Sales Tax Terminology – Understand key terms so you’re always prepared for industry discussions.
  • Navigate Nexus & Wayfair Compliance – Learn how South Dakota v. Wayfair impacts tax obligations and how to manage nexus across different scenarios.
  • Understand Drop Shipments – Gain clarity on documentation and compliance, whether you’re the buyer or seller.
  • Identify & Apply Tax Exemptions – Learn how to uncover exemptions that save your company money and reduce tax liability.
  • Develop Audit Defense Strategies – Get proven preparation techniques to handle audits with confidence and minimize risk.
  • Optimize Sales Tax Workflow – Discover how to structure tax functions in your department for better efficiency.
  • Enhance Decision-Making Skills – Receive coaching on making administrative and taxability decisions with confidence.
  • Use Advanced Tax Research Tools – Find faster, more accurate answers while eliminating guesswork.
  • Analyze Real-World Ethical Cases – Participate in engaging discussions on ethics in sales and use tax.
  • Get Direct Access to Experts – Bring your specific tax questions to instructors for one-on-one guidance.

Location & Hotel Information

Basics of Sales and Use Tax 2026 will take place at the Union League Club of Chicago. The Club is a prominent Chicago private club, conveniently located in the heart of Chicago’s downtown financial district with easy access to downtown Chicago attractions and restaurants. It is recommended to arrive in Chicago the evening before class begins, and leave town the evening of the last day of class.

Hotel Booking Information Here

Sales Tax Institute does not book your hotel room for you, you must reserve your own hotel room.

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Food & Drink

Continental breakfast will be provided to all attendees from 8AM – 8:30AM each day. Lunch, snacks and beverages are provided as well.

A welcome cocktail reception exclusively for Basics attendees is held on the first evening of the course. All food and drink is on us at the cocktail reception so please plan to come and meet the other attendees and your course faculty members.

Getting There

The hotel is easily accessible from either of Chicago’s airports: Midway International Airport or O’Hare International Airport using public transit (35-35 minutes) or a cab/ride-sharing (30-50 minutes depending on traffic). Parking is available with the hotel (rates apply). All transportation and parking costs are the attendee’s responsibility.

Basics of Sales & Use Tax 2026 Faculty
Diane Yetter Trisha Davidson Samantha Breslow Jamie Szal
Diane L. Yetter
President & Founder, YETTER
Tax and Sales Tax Institute 		 Trisha Davidson
Director of Client Operations, YETTER
Tax and Sales Tax Institute 

 

Samantha K. Breslow
Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton’s State and Local Tax Group

 

 

David Hughes
Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton’s State and Local Tax Group

 

 

Jamie Szal
Partner, Brann & Isaacson

 

 

 

This course was worth every penny. It is a privilege to be a part of this new community – Diane, Jamie, Trisha, Stacey, and David are the most passionate, resourceful, & knowledgeable group of tax nerds. I would absolutely recommend this course to any professional looking to grow in their knowledge of state and local taxes.

Get Approval from Your Supervisor

Use a free professional development approval request template that you can customize and send to your supervisor to attend Basics. Just click to copy, paste, alter, and send!

 

Get the template

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Other Resources You Might be Interested In
On Demand Webinar | Novice

Sales Tax 101 On-Demand Webinar

Online through Vimeo|
Get a beginner-friendly, on-demand webinar on sales and use tax. Learn compliance, nexus, and exemptions—ideal for tax, accounting & finance pros.
Enroll Now

State Sales Tax Rates

This chart lists the standard state level sales and use tax rates. The range of local taxes is also included as a quick reference. Chart is updated monthly.

How to Advance Your Career in Sales Tax

Explore how you can advance your sales tax career through investing in yourself and your skills by gathering your resources or through an industry change.

Sales Tax Administration Checklist

This Sales Tax Administration Checklist will provide you with a list of exactly what to address for sales tax in each potential scenario your business goes through.

Cancellation Policy

You may cancel your registration and receive a refund of course fees minus a cancellation fee up to 10 days before the event.  If you cancel 10 days or less before the event, your course fees will be credited to a future STI event held within the next year (minus any out-of-pocket costs we incur if you cancel 5 days out or less).

Please visit our full cancellation policy for more details on deadlines and cancellation fees:

CANCELLATION POLICY

Course FAQs

For answers to common questions on payment, registration, and the course overall, check out:

course FAQ PAGE