Basics of Sales and Use Tax
Move from sales tax guesswork to becoming your department’s go-to expert.
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Overview
Basics of Sales and Use Tax is a live, interactive training for finance, accounting, and consulting professionals, and for business owners and managers, 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.
Your registration includes:
Why This Course Stands Out
Basics of Sales and Use Tax is a live, in-person training designed to give you practical, hands-on expertise over four immersive days.
Is Basics of Sales and Use Tax Right for You?
This course is for anyone who has to get sales and use tax right, whether it’s your full-time job or it just landed on your desk.
You work in finance, accounting, or consulting.
You handle sales and use tax for your employer or clients, and you want a solid foundation instead of a patch for today’s question.
Sales tax just landed on your plate.
It came with a new role or a new responsibility. Now you need to know where you owe tax, how to register, and what an auditor will ask for.
You own or run a small business.
You sell across state lines and make sales tax decisions without a tax department. This course gives you the working knowledge to make those calls with confidence, and to know when to bring in help.
You don’t need to be a tax specialist. The course starts with the fundamentals and builds from there.
Basics of Sales and Use Tax Topics
Fundamental Sales Tax Topics Sessions
Our expert faculty will teach the following fundamental topics:
Industry Overview & Breakout Sessions
Basics of Sales and Use Tax will introduce the most important industry-specific sales tax issues for the 10 most common industries. 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.
Example Agenda From a Recent Basics of Sales and Use Tax Course
See the structure and session format from our most recent course. The 2027 agenda will follow a similar format and is still being finalized.
Learning Objectives: What You’ll Achieve
By the end of Basics of Sales and Use Tax, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to navigate tax compliance with ease.
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.
CPE Information
Earn 28.4 CPE credits and a Credly digital certification badge to showcase on LinkedIn and beyond.
“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.’” Kevin Neace, Lennox Industries
“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.” Samantha Daugaard
Meet Your Faculty
Faculty To Be Announced
2027 faculty will be announced here. Sessions are led by leading practitioners in sales and use tax.
Location & Hotel Information
Basics of Sales and Use Tax will take place at the Union League Club of Chicago, July 27-30, 2027. 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. Registration pricing, room rates, and booking deadlines will be announced here.
Hotel Booking
Sales Tax Institute does not book your hotel room for you, you must reserve your own hotel room.
Food & Drink
Continental breakfast will be provided to all attendees from 8:00 to 8:30 AM each day. Lunch, snacks and beverages are provided as well.
A welcome cocktail reception exclusively for Basics of Sales and Use Tax 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 Club is at 65 W Jackson Blvd, in Chicago’s Loop. From Midway Airport, public transit (Orange Line) takes about 35 minutes. From O’Hare Airport, public transit (Blue Line) takes about 45 minutes. Transit costs $5 or less.
By car, it is about 30 minutes from Midway and about 50 minutes from O’Hare, depending on traffic. A rideshare averages about $40 from Midway and about $50 from O’Hare. All transportation and parking costs are the attendee’s responsibility.
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Get NotifiedFrequently Asked Questions
Who should attend Basics of Sales and Use Tax?
Finance, accounting, and consulting professionals, plus business owners and managers, who handle sales and use tax and want a strong foundation.
I run a small business and sales tax landed on me. Is Basics of Sales and Use Tax right for me?
Yes. This course is built for people who need to get sales and use tax right, including those without a tax department. You'll cover the fundamentals, such as nexus, registration, exemptions, and audits. You also get a reference workbook and one-on-one, confidential access to instructors.
How many CPE credits will I earn?
The course qualifies for 28.4 CPE credits, and you also earn a Credly digital certification badge for LinkedIn.
What does registration include?
Registration includes 28.4 CPE credits and a Credly digital certification badge, the reference workbook, four days of live instruction from leading practitioners, one-on-one confidential instructor access, an industry-specific breakout session, meals, snacks, and beverages each day, a welcome cocktail reception, networking across the ten most common sales tax industries, and a 90-day free trial of the Sales Tax Nerd Community.
When and where is the course?
July 27-30, 2027, at the Union League Club of Chicago. Registration has not opened yet, and pricing and deadlines will be announced. Join the notification list to be first to know and to get a registration discount.
Are meals provided?
Yes. Continental breakfast (8:00 to 8:30 AM), lunch, snacks, and beverages are provided each day. A welcome cocktail reception is held the first evening.
Do I book my own hotel?
Yes. Sales Tax Institute does not book hotel rooms for you, so you must reserve your own. Hotel details will be posted on this page.
What is the cancellation policy?
You may cancel up to 10 days before the event for a refund of course fees minus a cancellation fee. If you cancel within 10 days, your fees are credited to a future Sales Tax Institute event within the next year.
For more answers on payment, registration, and the course overall, visit the Course FAQ page.
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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