Jumpstart Frequently Asked Questions: Who is the course best for?
This course is designed for those working in finance and accounting for small and mid-sized businesses with limited or no sales tax experience.
It is especially designed for those who may have new sales tax obligations due to the Wayfair ruling and are looking for ways to manage all of the new requirements. Online retailers will especially benefit.
Those who advise small and mid-sized clients on sales tax obligations would also benefit.
It is not recommended for those with extensive sales and use tax experience. If you aren’t sure, please ask!
What is the format of the course?
This is an online course that is 9 weeks long that meets once-a-week on Wednesdays. You’ll meet online with Diane Yetter and your fellow classmates for the week’s new material. In between sessions you’ll have an assignment that will help you implement what you learned.
You also get two bonus office hour calls with Diane during the course of 9 weeks. These calls are open-ended and a good chance for you to ask specific questions you might have.
There is an industry week in the middle of the class that breaks from the usual streaming format to evaluate differences of sales tax across industries. This week you’ll have access to short videos on each major industry that you can watch as your interests determine.
Are the classes pre-recorded?
No, this is not a self-guided pre-recorded course where you’re left wondering what is next. Though there may be some recorded elements at different times throughout for self-study, 95% of the material is taught with live streaming where you can ask questions and take part in discussions. Think about it like taking an interactive online course at a university.
What if I have to miss a class?
This is not a problem at all, though we do suggest that you keep absences to a minimum. We will record every class session and have it available only to participants in the program for the duration of the 9 week class. We recommend you watch the class before the next session as each class will build upon the lessons from the week prior. You will not be able to get CPE credit for recorded sessions.
Will I get any proof that I completed this program?
Yes! You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course that you can include on your resume, LinkedIn profile, and display at work to communicate your sales and use tax skills. We have seen so many of our students leverage great career opportunities from their sales and use tax expertise and want you to be one of them!
What about CPE?
Those who successfully complete the course as intended can be eligible to earn up to 20 CPE credits. Please read more for additional Information about CPE. You will receive your total CPE credit at the end of the course.
I read or was told that I didn’t have to worry about Wayfair. They said the ruling was for big businesses and I should just wait for the states to tell me what to do.
Unfortunately, some ill-informed advisors, coaches, and “online experts” tell businesses that they don’t have to worry about sales tax unless they are a big fish. They give this incorrect advice because they don’t fully understand taxability and what is at stake.
To be blunt, no business or corporate financial advisor paying attention would say this. Here’s why:
Choosing to ignore the provisions, relying on the state to communicate what you need to do, or assuming you’re too small to matter is incredibly risky. Sales tax simply doesn’t work this way.
First, if you wait for the state to reach out to tell you what to do, you’ll be waiting a long time. States usually do not proactively make their requirements clear to a business. They just show up with an audit notice. States are under no obligation to send you information when you need to start remitting sales tax. That responsibility is on you as the business.
Second, this law is designed for small and mid-sized businesses. Large companies that have had nexus across the country for years are already paying taxes and are wise to what is needed. States will certainly be actively targeting small and mid-sized companies that fit the provisions. They can find you pretty easily, so don’t assume you’re flying under-the-radar.
Third, not knowing you needed to pay sales tax or misunderstanding a law is no excuse when the audit happens! We’ve seen too many businesses assume they were fine and are suddenly on-the-hook for tens of thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands in sales tax. Can your business afford this surprise expense? Where do you think your “don’t worry about sales tax” advisor will be then?
We don’t say this to scare you, we say it because it is true. We’ve seen businesses have to close because the costs of not paying sales tax were so high. They contact us far too late in the process when their options were few. We don’t want it this to happen to anyone!!!
Compliance at the get-go is really the safest and most cost-effective answer.
Do you have a cancellation policy?
Please read our cancellation and complaint policy here.
Nexus & Constitutional Provisions:
Audit Defense & Processes:
