The U.S. government charges a sales tax on purchasing goods and services. Retailers typically collect sales tax at the point of sale and then transfer it to the government. This has been a somewhat perplexing enterprise from the beginning of commerce, and digital products have made it even more so.

Each of the many aspects that go into making sales tax compliance and financial reporting in the U.S. so complicated is one that SaaS companies must know.

What is the American Sales Tax System Like?

U.S. filing for sales tax and eligibility varies from state to state with each existing regulation and protocol. The U.S. classifies software into three groups: downloaded, tangible, and cloud-based.

SaaS is an example of cloud-based software. This software is hosted on a server and can be accessed by clients using the internet. 

Types of Sales Tax in Different Countries

Depending on the country, various types of consumption taxes apply. Either a flat fee on each transaction or a percentage of the whole sum. Certain things are needed from the business owner for each type. 

The European Union has a Value-Added Tax, and Australia has a Goods-And-Services Tax. Consumption taxes have several names since they can all operate somewhat differently.

Is SaaS Taxable?

A SaaS product is distinct from the traditional digital item you purchase online and is taxed differently.

You should check to see if your offering is genuinely SaaS or software-as-a-service. Make sure you fall under the definition of a taxable product.

Why is Saas Now Taxed Even if it Wasn’t Before

Most states use “tangible personal property” as the benchmark for what is taxable. If you think about it, the definition of “tangible” in this context is “perceptible by the senses,” which makes perfect sense. States have been slow to designate SaaS as taxable because it is a relatively young industry, and you can’t touch, feel, smell, hear, or taste a license to use the software.

SaaS has been reclassified as tangible personal property, which has prompted the governments to start taxing it.

Is Saas Taxable In The U.S.?

Some states tax SaaS because they treat it the same as software that is downloaded electronically. Some people consider it a service, and some states don’t even tax services.

Nevertheless, given the SaaS industry’s rapid expansion, any state that has yet to tax SaaS will undoubtedly find a way to do so very soon. These laws change quickly.

Currently, the following U.S. states tax SaaS products:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Connecticut
• Hawaii
• Iowa
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• New Mexico
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• Washington DC
• West Virginia

Sales Tax Registration Thresholds

The threshold is a set sum of money in that nation’s currency. Your business must register for local taxes once its sales exceed the threshold.

Although “annual sales” is widely known in threshold definitions, this term can also refer to sales that occur inside a single calendar year. However, not all policies apply from January to December. The “annual sales” could refer to how much you sold in the previous 12 months or how much you anticipate selling in the following 12.

Economic Nexus Thresholds in The U.S.

State governments in the U.S. are enacting new legislation to impose sales tax obligations on remote and internet sellers. This is called the Economic Nexus.

An economic nexus is a factor in tax obligation based on your company’s financial activity or the volume of sales you generate in a given state.

New Sales Tax Nexus Requirements

Here’s some standard information you’ll need when registering for a U.S. sales tax permit:

• Your contact info
• Your business contact info
• Social security number (SSN) or Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), also known as Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• A business entity (sole proprietor, LLC, S-Corp, etc.)

Saas Funding And Valuation’s Effects

Investors scrutinize how you manage the firm presently and how you intend to grow it before investing in any funding event (public or private). This involves paying taxes. Unfavorable audit findings or mismanaged sales and use tax might affect valuation, endanger funding, or even invalidate deals.

You can also increase your tax liability, depending on how you intend to use that financing, you can also increase your tax liability. Building out affiliate programs, investing in product development or R&D, hiring remote sales staff—these expansion strategies may affect or increase your sales and use tax compliance obligations.

Taxability of Saas Products And Services

Tech and software firms are innovators. Taxing authorities are not. Digital products and services confuse them. Certain states, like Washington, specifically include digital goods and services in their tax laws. Others, such as Texas, classify digital items as taxable tangible personal property by relying on the current legal framework. Others still haven’t updated their legislation, so it’s up to the business to decide. Software and digital goods and services are currently taxed in the U.S. in a variety of ways based on a wide range of separate categories, including:

• • • Software-as-a-service is taxed in 17 states, partially taxed in 2 states, and only if the provider has a server in that state in 8 states.
    • Digital movies are tax-exempt in 23 states and charged at 1% in Connecticut.
    • Digital photography is tax-exempt in 23 states.
    • Digital games are taxed in 26 states.
    • Software training is taxed in 10 states.
    • Installation of hardware is taxed in 21 states.
    • Software maintenance contracts are taxable in 24 states and partially taxed in 1 state.
    • In Colorado, taxability varies by jurisdiction.

A Higher Profile Leads to a Higher Audit Risk.

More frequently, audits are selected for businesses with a more extensive profile and significant revenues. Moreover, you can be subject to several audits if you have a multi-state nexus. Although this high visibility is fantastic for growth, it may also be a magnet for states and state auditors seeking to increase their tax collections from successful ventures.

How to File a Sales Tax Return in Several Countries

AUSTRALIA

Most goods, services, and other items sold or consumed in Australia are subject to the 10% goods and services tax (GST). If your company is GST-registered, you must collect this additional sum (an eighth of the sale price) from your consumers. You give this to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) when it becomes due.

Before registering for standard GST, you must have an Australian business number (ABN). An ABN can be obtained either when your business name is first registered or at a later date.

You can register for GST after receiving your ABN:

• via Online services for business
• by phone on 13 28 66
• through your registered tax agent or BAS agent External Link
• By completing the Add a new business account (NAT 2954) form. You can order a form using our online publication ordering service.

The U.K.

You must register if:

• your total VAT taxable turnover for the last 12 months was over £85,000 (the VAT threshold)
• you expect your turnover to go over £85,000 in the next 30 days
• You must also register (regardless of VAT taxable turnover) if all the following are true:

- you’re based outside the U.K.

- your business is based outside the U.K.

- you supply any goods or services to the U.K. (or expect to in the next 30 days)

Online registration for VAT is usually possible.

By doing this, you’ll create a VAT online account (also known as a “Government Gateway account”) and register for VAT. You must have this to submit your VAT Returns to H.M. Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

To submit your VAT Returns and communicate with HMRC on your behalf, you can designate an accountant (or agent).

When you get your VAT number and choose the “VAT submit returns” option, you can still register for a VAT online account even if you’re using an agent.

Following registration, you’ll receive the following:

• A 9-digit VAT number must appear on every invoice you issue
• details on when to make your first VAT payment and return
• Confirmation of your “effective date of registration” (also known as your registration date).
• Depending on how you registered, you may receive this by mail or on your online VAT account.

Sales Tax Registration in The U.S.: Get a Tax Permit in Each State Where You Have Nexus

Acquire a current U.S. sales tax permit for each state in which you have nexus. Tax fraud results from failure to do so.

The “Streamlined Sales Tax (SST) Registration System” is another option for registration. SST was developed to make collecting sales tax simpler. Currently, the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement is ratified by 24 states. Once you have registered, you will get the necessary I.D. and permit.

Methods For Calculating And Collecting Sales Tax

Once registered and you get the required I.D.s or permissions, you should start applying the tax to your transactions.

The first thing to consider is whether you should list your SaaS costs on your website, including taxes.

Since many countries don’t require tax-inclusive pricing, taxes are frequently added at the point of sale in those nations. However, it’s a good idea to bring up sales taxes in advance is a good idea. It has been demonstrated that preventing sticker shock at the last minute increases conversion rates at checkout.

• IN THE US

  • Confirm your buyer’s location.
  • Calculate the tax rate based on state law. See if the state has “origin-based” or “destination-based” tax rates.
  • Check all the tax rates that apply. There could be more levels than just a statewide sales tax! There may also be a county, city, or other local sales tax rate.

• IN EU

  • Find and verify the precise location of your E.U. customers.
  • To comply with E.U. tax regulations, every company registered for EU VAT must gather two types of client location evidence.
    • The billing address
    • Location of the customer’s bank
    • The country which issued the credit card
    • The I.P. address location of the customer’s device
    • Country of the SIM card (in cases where the purchase was made on a mobile device)

The Best Way to Track and Report Sales Tax Activities

It only makes sense to keep correct records and documentation for taxes if you’re going to all that trouble to compute and collect them.

Issue Tax-Compliant Receipts

All the details needed by the tax authorities in the event of an audit, including the buyer’s identification, the things they purchased, a special invoice reference number, the date, and a breakdown of the sales taxes.

Refunds and Credit Notes

If you are issuing a full or partial refund, you must create a credit note to serve as proof of the reimbursement. You can avoid paying taxes you don’t need to in this way.

Secure digital records should be kept for a long time. This will make it simple for you to provide any documents needed for audits.

How to File Sales Tax Returns

On each state’s Department of Revenue website, you can submit sales tax returns individually. Make sure to note the following:

• Frequency of returns
• Deadlines for filing the returns
• Breakdown of the tax reporting (county, city, locality-wise)

In The U.S: File Tax Returns For Each State Separately, at Different Intervals

On the state Department of Revenue website, you can submit state sales tax returns online. However, the entire process leading up to that is quite challenging.

• Take note of the frequency of returns. Generally, a state wants you to file more regularly the more you sell there. Thus, the frequency of your filing may change.
• Take note of the filing deadlines. The deadline in most states is the 20th day of the month after filing, but this varies slightly.
• Take note of the breakdown of the required tax reporting. Not all state sales tax returns ask for the amount of tax you usually collect within the state. They desire an analysis of tax revenue by county, city, and other locality. You’ll benefit from keeping accurate records in this regard!

SaaS Accounting And Sales Tax Compliance

Adopting appropriate accounting procedures for the SaaS business model is crucial to efficient tax planning and compliance.

All firms should adhere to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), which are almost identical to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). However, there are a few business procedures that SaaS companies, in particular, must follow.

Accrual Accounting

Accrual accounting distinguishes when a service is rendered instead of when a payment is paid.

Because the SaaS business model involves upfront payments for services that are provided over time, accrual accounting is crucial. As the service is rendered, income is recognized. Accrual accounting accurately captures all of this.

Revenue Recognition

Your perception of your company’s performance, mainly how you report it, is influenced by revenue recognition.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) states that revenue recognition aims to convey relevant information about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue from contracts with customers to consumers of financial statements.

Income Statement

The “statement of financial position,” often known as a SaaS income statement, is an important document. It keeps track of every revenue, running costs, non-operating costs, taxes, and profit. Additionally, it aids decision-making and helps you, investors, and other stakeholders better understand the company’s success.

The relevant data for this report is based on all the accounting rules mentioned above. As a result, you’ll have all the necessary data at your disposal when it’s time to construct a SaaS income statement.

Performance Metrics

You should continually monitor your company’s burn rate to understand your cash flow better. You can assess the short- and long-term profitability of your SaaS by keeping an eye on each of these. Regardless of the stage of growth your company is now in, learn about the most crucial SaaS metrics and start implementing the ones that apply to it.