If your business sells taxable goods or services, you generally have to register with the state, collect sales tax from customers, report it on a schedule and send it to the state. Missing a report or collecting the wrong rate can lead to penalties and interest, and the tax you collected is not yours to keep.
We register your business for a sales tax permit and prepare your sales tax reports from your sales records, so the numbers match your books.
What we do
- Sales tax permit registration with your state
- Sales tax report preparation from your sales records
- Help working out which of your sales are taxable and which are exempt
- Reconciling the tax you collected with the tax you report
- Keeping the records a state audit would ask for
How often you file
States assign a reporting schedule, usually monthly, quarterly or annually, based on how much tax you collect. Reports are due even when you had no sales in the period. In Texas, sales tax is administered by the Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Look up a rate
Our free sales tax lookup tool shows the combined rate for an address, which is a useful starting point. Rates and taxability rules change, so confirm anything that affects what you charge.
How it works
- 1
We confirm what applies
We ask what you sell and where, to see which states and rules apply.
- 2
We register you
We apply for your sales tax permit if you do not have one.
- 3
We prepare each report
From your sales records we prepare the report for the period and tell you what is due.
- 4
You pay and we keep the records
You pay the tax by the due date and we keep the supporting records with your books.
What we need from you
- Business name, EIN and the state(s) where you sell
- Sales records for the period: reports from your point-of-sale or invoicing system
- A list of items or services you sell and which you believe are exempt
- Exemption certificates from customers, if any
- Your existing sales tax permit number and prior reports, if you have them
Not sure what applies to you? Send what you have and we will tell you what is missing.
Why work with BUTA Tax
- Tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, business formation and IRS help in one firm, so your records line up.
- A secure client portal for your documents and messages, available whenever you need it.
- Starting prices shown on this site and the questions that set your final price asked before you pay.
- An office in Frisco, Texas, and online service for clients across the United States.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a sales tax permit?
If you sell taxable goods or services in a state where you have a taxable presence, you generally do. Whether your sales are taxable depends on the state and on what you sell. Ask us if you are unsure.
How much does a sales tax report cost?
It depends on the number of transactions and how many states you report in. Tell us what you sell and we will quote it before you commit.
What if I have no sales this period?
You usually still file a report showing no sales. A missing report can bring penalties.
Is selling online treated differently?
It can be. States have rules about when out-of-state sellers must collect tax, and marketplaces may collect for you. We can help you work out where you are required to register.
Can you take over reports I filed myself?
Yes. We start from your prior reports and records and take over preparing them going forward.