Sales and Use Tax Credits

The Sales and Use Tax
Landscape in New York

In New York State, sales tax applies to specific software licenses and many cloud-based products. This tax is assessed based on the location of the end user. However, many sellers erroneously apply sales tax based on the “ship to” address, leading to overpayment for users located outside New York State. The tax rate varies across the state, with the highest being 8.875% in New York City.

How to Identify and Recover Overpaid New York Sales and Use Tax

Navigating the complexities of New York State Sales and Use Tax regulations can be challenging for companies, especially when dealing with software licenses and cloud-based services such as SaaS, PaaS, and DaaS. Businesses often overpay taxes due to misapplication of rules. This article will delve into why companies overpay and how they can recover overpaid taxes with minimal effort.

Common Reasons for Overpayment

The primary reason companies overpay sales tax is misalignment between the user’s location and the invoiced “ship to” address. Companies headquartered in New York but employing remote workers often fall victim to this error. These overpayments are particularly prevalent in industries like:
  • Financial services and banking
  • Insurance
  • Commercial real estate
Businesses with at least 200 employees often find significant opportunities for refunds, with potential recoveries exceeding $100,000.

The Opportunity for Recovery

Recovering overpaid taxes involves identifying instances where vendors overcharged sales tax. Source Advisors offers a streamlined approach to this process using proprietary technology. Their platform simplifies the identification, analysis, and documentation necessary for filing refund claims.

Steps to Recovery:

  1. Analyze Purchases: Review purchases to pinpoint instances of overpayment.
  2. File Claims: Submit refund claims with either the vendor or the New York State tax authorities.

Source Advisors has built relationships with major technology vendors, ensuring efficient processing of claims. Their expertise and technology enable businesses to recover funds with minimal resource allocation.

How to Qualify for Refunds

Any company headquartered in New York with remote users is a candidate for tax recovery. While there is no strict employee count requirement, larger organizations stand to benefit significantly. The process includes:

  • Identifying qualifying purchases
  • Engaging tax experts like Source Advisors
  • Utilizing streamlined technology to manage documentation and claims

Businesses paying New York State Sales and Use Tax must remain vigilant to avoid overpayments. Leveraging specialized expertise and tools, such as those offered by Source Advisors, can help companies recover significant sums and improve tax compliance moving forward.

Discover the Source Advisors Difference

Our sales tax experts combine decades of in-the-field experience to ensure 100% client satisfaction. We’re ready to solve your sales tax challenges with the professional, personalized, and attentive service you expect from a boutique firm

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