When researching my favorite beverage for National and International Coffee Days (Sept. 29 and Oct. 1), I discovered that coffee hyped up goats in ninth century Ethiopia and was dubbed a “bitter invention of Satan” by 17th century Christian Italians. This was unexpected. Still, the history of coffee surprises me less than the taxability of coffee drinks in several states.

With the myriad responsibilities involved in running a successful business, it should come as no surprise that preparing for a sales and use tax audit is not exactly a high priority or favorite topic of conversation among business owners. There are only so many hours in a day, and many companies choose to put examining their compliance process on the back burner; at worst, the idea is ignored entirely. Even business owners who are ready and willing to tackle the issue rarely know where to begin.

Dealing with change is standard operating procedure for many companies: employees leave and are hired; new products are introduced and old ones phased out; there are booms, and there are busts. On top of all that, companies need to account for sales and use tax changes. Significant changes in rates, regulations, and product taxability often take effect July 1, which is the start of a new fiscal year in all but a few states.

In 2017, when it comes to sales tax, states are taking stances on everything from soda to streaming content, tobacco to tampons. The New Year will also bring renewed efforts by states to implement internet sales taxes and continue the legal battle to overturn existing legislation.

Sometimes we come across a blog that is so good that we just have to share it. We will highlight a few of our favorites each month here on the blog, but don't forget to see what else we are sharing on Twitter and Facebook.

Sometimes we come across a blog that is so good that we just have to share it. We will highlight a few of our favorites each month here on the blog, but don't forget to see what else we are sharing on Twitter and Facebook.

 It’s an annual tradition for the President of the United States to pardon a turkey at Thanksgiving. Which president started the trend is up for debate, but White House history dates the first turkey clemency to 1865, when Abraham Lincoln’s son took a liking to a bird intended for Christmas dinner. 

Sometimes we come across a blog that is so good that we just have to share it. We will highlight a few of our favorites each month here on the blog, but don't forget to see what else we are sharing on Twitter and Facebook.

Drop shipping can be a big boon for online sellers, especially small businesses that don’t have the funds or space to stock up on and store inventory. With drop shipping, sellers can take orders from customers for an item and then turn around and order that item from a supplier, which then ships it to the customer. The seller doesn’t have to handle the physical item at all, the customer gets his or her order, and everyone’s happy.

Sometimes we come across a blog that is so good that we just have to share it. We will highlight a few of our favorites each month here on the blog, but don't forget to see what else we are sharing on Twitter and Facebook.