Washington State Department of Revenue has issued updated guidance for businesses seeking a direct pay permit for sales and use tax. The guidance outlines eligibility thresholds ($240,000 cumulative liability or $10M taxable purchases), application process, reporting obligations, and limitations on permit use and transfer. Businesses must comply with these rules to claim a five‑year deduction on retail sales tax.
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Sovos · 26 days ago
Illinois imposes a statewide sales tax of 6.25% with local jurisdictions able to add additional rates. Remote sellers with over $100,000 in sales must register and collect tax, and exemption claims require an STAX-1 certificate. Filing can be done electronically via My Tax Illinois or on paper using forms ST‑1, ST‑2, and ST‑44.
VatCalc · about 1 month ago
Utah has enacted legislation extending sales and use tax to a broad range of digital products and subscription-based services effective 1 July 2026. The new rules tax payments for access to digital audio/video, streaming, gaming, e‑books, music, SaaS, and cloud‑hosted software, with a 4.7 % rate and a $100,000 remote‑seller threshold. Existing services under the Multi‑Channel Video or Audio Service Tax Act remain exempt to avoid double taxation.
PwC · about 2 months ago
Utah’s Senate Bill 162 expands the sales and use tax base to include streaming‑only digital content, subscriptions, and prewritten software, effective July 1 2026. The law clarifies that prewritten software is taxable regardless of delivery method and exempts transactions already subject to the Multi‑Channel Video or Audio Service Tax Act. Businesses must review product offerings, update use‑tax accruals, and adjust systems before the effective date.
Sovos · 2 months ago
AI sales tax blog post discusses how U.S. states are treating SaaS and AI chatbot services under existing sales tax frameworks. It highlights recent rulings in Kentucky, Indiana, Maine, and New York, noting that some states tax SaaS as a service while others exempt it. The article also explores potential future tax implications for AI‑powered physical products and advises businesses to monitor state developments closely.
Basware · 3 months ago
Basware’s blog post discusses the lack of a nationwide e‑invoicing mandate in the U.S. and urges finance leaders to build proactive compliance systems before future regulations arrive. It cites that 47 % of U.S. companies have struggled with market expansion due to missed deadlines, 83 % see fragmented compliance as a risk, and only 33 % can scale compliance effectively. The piece highlights the benefits of an invoice lifecycle management approach for real‑time visibility and audit readiness.
LinkedIn Article by Ryan · 3 months ago
The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, ruling that the President lacked authority to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10% tariffs on China and other partners. The decision remanded the case and left importers without a remedy, prompting the administration to announce a new worldwide tariff under the Trade Act of 1974. Importers must seek refunds through Customs and the U.S. Court of International Trade.
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Key Takeaways
A business may apply if it has a cumulative liability of $240,000 or more in the current calendar year, or if it makes over $10 million in taxable purchases in one calendar year.
Direct pay permits may be used to claim a deduction for retail sales tax for five years.
No, direct pay permits cannot be assigned to a third party or transferred to affiliates.
Businesses must report use tax due in the reporting period when they receive the goods or services they are reporting for.
Direct pay permits cannot be used when a reseller permit should be used instead, or for certain services such as telephone or amusement services.
Primary source
Read the full article at Sales Tax InstituteThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 14 January 2026. It relates to VAT developments in United States. The original source is Sales Tax Institute.
