# Start the Year Right: Your 2026 Sales Tax Compliance Checklist

Canonical: https://trykintsugi.com/blog/2026-sales-tax-compliance-checklist
Published: 2026-01-08

A practical checklist for nexus, registration, product taxability, rates, exemptions, filing, and marketplace sales.

The start of a new year brings new sales tax obligations. With rate changes,
shifting nexus rules, and new products and channels, growing businesses need a
repeatable compliance process rather than a last-minute scramble.

## 1. Review where you have nexus

Review prior-year sales state by state, check for physical presence from
offices, employees, or inventory, and use real-time monitoring to catch new
obligations as they develop.

## 2. Register where required

Prioritize states where you crossed a threshold but have not registered.
Confirm existing registrations are active and business details are current.

## 3. Classify every product correctly

Review new and existing products, paying special attention to digital
products, SaaS, subscriptions, shipping, and other categories where
taxability differs by jurisdiction.

## 4. Update collection and exemption workflows

Verify current rates in every sales channel, test checkout for different
locations and products, and review exemption certificates for completeness and
expiration dates.

## 5. Reconcile and prepare for filing

Compare tax collected with amounts reported, separate marketplace-facilitated
sales from direct sales, and maintain a calendar of every filing and payment
deadline.

## 6. Stay ahead of notices

Consolidate correspondence from tax authorities, respond promptly to
registration and filing requests, and track renewals for permits that require
periodic updates.

## Automate the repetitive work

Manual compliance consumes time across nexus tracking, classification,
reconciliation, and filing. Kintsugi monitors exposure, supports registration,
handles product taxability, and automates filing and remittance so finance
teams can focus on growth.