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The Daily Insight

Who is involved in a sales tax audit?

Author

Ava Robinson

Published Mar 04, 2026

For example, for issues like IT services, some vendors may be conservative and charge sales tax because they are unsure of the proper taxation. Experience with auditor or industry issues. External representatives or sales tax experts are typically involved in many sales tax audits and might have already worked with your assigned auditor.

Can a company be audited for sales and use?

This article is more than 6 years old. Being the subject of a sales and use tax audit is a fact of life for many large corporate taxpayers. For other taxpayers, an audit comes as an unwelcome surprise. Predicting what makes a company more vulnerable to a sales and use tax audit can prove to be a valuable exercise.

What happens if I charge my client sales tax?

If the client has been audited and the item was scheduled or if the client accrued and paid the appropriate sales or use tax, sales tax will not be assessed against the seller if the client will provide proof that the appropriate tax was remitted.

Do you need a CPA for a sales tax audit?

If you have engaged your CPA, a sales tax expert, or other external representative to assist you with the preparation and actual audit, these are reasons why they will often take a pre-tour or meet with the tour guide in advance. Some state auditors look only for underpayments.

Are there any former state tax auditors that still work?

We found four former state tax auditors who are also sales and use tax compliance experts and asked them what advice they’d give companies to increase their chances of a quick and painless experience if and when the auditor comes knocking.

How to pay Illinois sales tax out of State?

out-of-state retailer who does not collect Illinois sales tax, the purchaser owes use tax and is responsible for paying use tax directly to the department using Form ST‑44. Quarter-monthly payments — If a retailer or service-person’s average monthly liability is $20,000 or more, quarter-monthly payments must be made.