KealyWalker provides automated tax compliance and regulatory support, simplifying complex sales tax, telecom tax, and other industry-specific requirements with accuracy and expertise.

What does a sales and use tax billing audit involve?

A sales and use tax billing audit reviews vendor invoices, purchase records, and tax payments to identify instances where tax was charged incorrectly — including tax on exempt purchases, wrong rate application, and tax paid in jurisdictions where a valid exemption applies. For businesses with high purchase volumes across multiple states, prior-period recovery is often significant. Outbound billing is also reviewed to identify over-collection or under-collection patterns that create compliance exposure.

Can KealyWalker recover sales tax overpaid to vendors in prior years?

Yes. Sales tax recovery is a core advisory service. Overpayments occur when exemption certificates were not on file at the time of purchase, when vendors applied tax in error, or when taxability determinations were incorrect. We review prior period invoices, identify overpayments, and manage the refund or credit process with vendors and state taxing authorities.

What does sales and use tax exemption strategy cover?

Exemption strategy ensures purchases from vendors are correctly exempted where the company qualifies — for resale, manufacturing, agricultural use, or other state-specific categories — and that outbound sales to exempt customers are properly documented. We review the current exemption posture across vendors and jurisdictions, identify where exemptions are missed or incorrectly applied, and implement a program to prevent recurring leakage.

What is included in sales and use tax exemption certificate management?

Exemption certificate management handles both vendor and customer certificate administration. On the vendor side, it ensures certificates on file with suppliers are current and correctly completed for each state. On the customer side, it manages collection, validation, and renewal of certificates from customers — with renewal events tracked so certificates are refreshed before expiration. A missing or invalid certificate leaves the seller liable for the uncollected tax on audit.

How does advisory differ from KealyWalker managed compliance services?

Managed compliance handles the ongoing filing, remittance, and notice management function. Advisory focuses on the audit, recovery, and strategic layer — identifying errors in existing billing and remittance workflows, recovering overpayments, and strengthening exemption programs. For businesses with an existing compliance program, advisory provides an independent review that catches what ongoing management may miss. For businesses building a program from scratch, advisory establishes the correct framework before the filing function begins.

Advisory

General Sales & Use Tax Advisory

Practitioner-led guidance on nexus, taxability, audits, and refund recovery — built for businesses that need real answers from people who have done the work.

Nexus & Taxability Review

Know where you owe — and where you do not.

We assess your physical and economic nexus footprint and review product/service taxability across jurisdictions to surface exposure and overpayment risk before they become problems.

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Voluntary Disclosure Agreements

Resolve back exposure on favorable terms.

When historical liability exists, we negotiate VDAs with state agencies to limit lookback periods, waive penalties, and bring your business into compliance with minimal disruption.

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Audit Defense & Management

Practitioner-led representation through every stage.

From initial notice through appeal, we manage state and local sales tax audits — preparing records, responding to auditors, and challenging findings to protect your bottom line.

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Reverse Audits & Refund Recovery

Recover overpaid sales and use tax.

We review purchases and self-assessed use tax to identify exemptions and refund opportunities, then manage the recovery process with vendors and state agencies.

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Exemption Certificate Management

Keep certificates current and audit-ready.

We design exemption certificate workflows, validate documentation, and remediate gaps to prevent tax leakage and audit assessments tied to missing or invalid certificates.

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Process & Technology Advisory

Build a compliance function that scales.

We evaluate your tax engine, ERP integration, and return preparation processes to recommend improvements that reduce manual effort and improve accuracy as you grow.

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Market Entry

Enter new markets with confidence.

We advise clients on market entry and compliance obligations at the federal, state and local level.

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Common Questions About Sales & Use Tax Advisory

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