Preparing for a Sales Tax Filing
Filing is much easier when you have kept good records. Here is how to prepare with confidence.
A sales tax return reports how much tax you collected in a state and remits it, so preparation rests on accurate, per order records kept throughout the period. Know each state's assigned frequency and deadlines, keep the dates in view early, and file even a zero return when one is required.
Filing reports what you collected
A sales tax return tells a state how much tax you collected there and hands it over. The whole process rests on accurate records of what you charged and where. Related: What is the best way to track economic nexus thresholds across every state you ship to?
Keep reading: US Sales Tax Basics for Online Sellers, What Economic Nexus Means and Why It Matters, Origin vs Destination Based Sales Tax, Explained. See how SalesTaxly helps you us sales tax rates and lookup for online stores.
Keep records as you go
The hard version of filing is reconstructing months of sales at the last minute. The easy version is keeping clean, per order records throughout, so filing is mostly assembling what you already have. Related: How do you handle sales tax on refunds and returns after the order has been taxed?
Know each state's schedule
States assign filing frequencies and deadlines, which differ by state and sometimes by your volume. Missing a deadline brings penalties, so keep the dates in view well ahead of time.
File even a zero return
If a state expects a return, you usually must file even when you collected nothing in the period. Skipping it can still trigger penalties, so treat every required filing as mandatory.
- Filing reports and remits what you collected
- Clean, ongoing records make filing simple
- Know each state's frequency and deadlines
- File required returns even when the amount is zero
Julien Jimenez
Julien Jimenez is an independent software builder based in Paris. He designs, ships, and operates focused SaaS products for small businesses and independent professionals. Read the full author page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to file a sales tax return if I collected nothing?
Usually yes. If a state expects a return for the period, you generally must file even a zero return. Skipping it can still trigger penalties, so treat every required filing as mandatory.
How do I make filing less stressful?
Keep clean, per order records as sales happen rather than reconstructing months of data at the deadline. Then filing becomes mostly assembling information you already have.
Charge the right US sales tax, every time
US sales tax rates and lookup for online stores. SalesTaxly is built to help you put this into practice.
Look up a rateMore from the SalesTaxly blog
US Sales Tax Basics for Online Sellers
What Economic Nexus Means and Why It Matters
Origin vs Destination Based Sales Tax, Explained
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