how to talk to your clients about sales and use tax

5-step action plan for addressing clients’ sales and use tax needs

via speedtax

cpa firms are well-positioned to take the lead in helping guide their clients through the complicated, time-consuming, and resource-intensive world of sales tax compliance and management, according to a new, free guide authored by geni whitehouse, cpa.citp.

the just-published “how to talk to your clients about sales and use tax” asks cpas to put themselves in their clients’ shoes to help them address the challenge of complying with sales tax rules in an environment of heightened audit risk.

underwritten by speedtax, a software-as-a-service sales tax solution provider, the guide outlines 5 steps that firms should take to begin addressing their clients’ sales and use tax needs.

“cpa firms, now more than ever, have an opportunity to be proactive in helping their clients minimize audit risk, reduce overhead and streamline processes associated with state sales tax compliance,” said gregory rosser, cpa, and executive director of state & local tax at grant thornton. “geni’s new guide helps firms walk through the steps of determining first the scope of services they will offer, and secondly how to promote them to current and potential clients. this is timely advice for firms that have decided to take action.”

“sales tax is an increasingly important source of revenue for states experiencing massive revenue shortfalls, so now is the time for cpa firms to start talking to their clients about their increased audit exposure,” said whitehouse. “many sales tax-related tasks are too complicated and time-consuming for the average business owner – and yet they have no choice but to stay in compliance. i wrote this guide in hopes that more firms would start having meaningful discussions with their clients. clear communication will ultimately help  clients address their sales tax headaches, while helping firms deliver on their promise to be a ‘trusted advisor’.”

“how to talk to your clients about sales and use tax” is available now for download at: www.speedtax.com/sales-tax-resources.

posted on january 26, 2010