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Retail Realities: Making Sense of Sales Tax for Retailers in 2025

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Live Webinar
Credit
1.8 CPE credits
 
 
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Overview

Sales tax has become one of the most pressing issues for retailers in 2025. With evolving state rules, economic nexus requirements, and the rise of multichannel selling, retailers face constant pressure to keep their sales tax compliance practices sharp. Every step in the retail cycle carries sales tax implications and overlooking them can lead to costly errors.

From product launches and online sales to invoicing, drop shipping, fulfillment, and returns, retailers must understand how each transaction impacts sales tax obligations. Selling on multiple platforms, including e-commerce marketplaces and direct channels, only adds to the complexity.

This webinar gives retail businesses the knowledge they need to manage these challenges with confidence especially as we enter the busy holiday season. You will learn how to identify risk points in your sales process, apply correct tax treatment to digital and physical transactions, and build systems that keep pace with regulatory changes. Whether you operate a brick-and-mortar store, an online shop, or a hybrid model, this training will provide practical strategies to streamline compliance and protect your bottom line.

Who should attend?

This webinar is designed for professionals who manage the accounting, finance, or tax functions of a retail business, whether operating online, through brick-and-mortar locations, or across multiple channels. It is ideal for those responsible for sales tax compliance within roles such as Tax Manager, Controller, Accounting Manager, Accounts Payable Specialist, Sales Operations Manager, Purchasing Manager, Credit Analyst, or Tax Technology Specialist.

The course is also well suited for General Practitioners, CPAs, and Business Advisors who work with retail clients on financial or tax matters. Whether you are new to sales tax or looking to strengthen your understanding of how evolving rules impact retailers, you will gain practical insights you can apply directly to your business or practice.

“Diane can take a very complex topic and has the gift to simplify it for the non sales tax professional!”

Additional Details About the Retail Realities: Making Sense of Sales Tax for Retailers in 2025 Webinar

Retailers today face a complicated sales tax environment. Businesses have new, more complex compliance obligations and state-specific nuances that raise the risk of costly mistakes. This webinar is designed to help you navigate these challenges and give you the tools to keep your business compliant and protected.

We will follow the retail cycle from product launch to final sale, highlighting critical areas such as exemption certificate management, resale exemptions, and proper documentation of drop shipments. You will also learn how to structure invoices and contracts so that transactions are taxed correctly and audit exposure is reduced.

Wondering how to handle delivery fees, bag fees, or the process of claiming retailer bad debt refunds? We will address these common pain points and show you how to approach them with confidence. We will also explore the growing list of exemptions for categories like family care products, menstrual items, and medical necessities, and discuss what they mean for your daily operations.

Get clarity on the sales tax issues that trip retailers up the most, from shipping and delivery charges to returns, layaway sales, and discounts. You’ll also gain practical strategies to prepare for sales tax holidays and seasonal events, with clear guidance on tracking inventory withdrawals so you avoid unexpected tax obligations.

Whether your company sells in stores, online, or across multiple platforms, this course will provide practical strategies to simplify compliance and avoid the pitfalls that put retailers at risk.

During the live Q&A portion of the webinar, you can get answers to your specific sales tax questions directly from Diane.

Learning Objectives for this webinar include:

  • Learn how to identify sales tax touchpoints across the retail cycle, from product launch to final sale.
  • Understand the right way to document exemption certificates, resale transactions, and drop shipments.
  • Gain insight into structuring invoices and contracts so transactions are taxed accurately, and audit risks are reduced.
  • Break down tricky charges such as shipping, delivery, returns, layaways, and discounts to apply correct tax treatment.
  • Prepare for state sales tax holidays and seasonal events with strategies to update systems and train staff in advance.
  • Explore how evolving exemptions for items like family care products, menstrual supplies, and medical necessities affect day-to-day operations.
  • Discover practical methods for tracking inventory withdrawals to avoid triggering unexpected tax obligations.

CPE Information:

Webinar attendees can earn 1.8 hours of CPE credit in the “Taxes” field of study

Prerequisites: This course requires no prerequisites or advance preparation.

Program Level: Basic

Delivery Method: Group Internet-Based

 

 

Additional Information about CPE

Cancellation/Complaint Policy

Questions about the registration or webinar process, or need help troubleshooting? Visit the Live Webinar FAQ page to get answers.

About the Instructor

Diane L. Yetter, President & Founder, YETTER and Sales Tax Institute

Diane L. Yetter is the “Sales Tax Nerd TM” as well as a strategist, advisor, speaker and author in the field of sales and use tax. She is president and founder of YETTER Tax, a sales tax consulting and tax technology firm in business since 1996. She is also the founder of The Sales Tax Institute, which offers live and online courses to educate business professionals about sales and use tax.

More About Diane L. Yetter
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As a busy tax pro, it can be hard to find quality professional development throughout the year. The All-Access Webinar Pass takes care of all your required sales tax training in one easy step. Learn from the experts about the sales and use tax issues that matter with access to the Sales Tax Institute’s monthly live webinars and full, unlimited access to the Sales Tax Institute’s on-demand webinars.

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Other Resources You Might be Interested In

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Sales Tax Holidays

Stay updated on what sales tax holidays may be going on in your state! This chart includes information about recent, current, and upcoming sales tax holidays.

Back to School and Back to Sales Tax Holidays: A Quick History Lesson 

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