How To Contact Your State About Sales Tax

If you ever search sales tax rules for your state and profession, you’ll probably see a whole lot of “check with your state” and “ask an accountant.”

This is due to the fact that every state has different sales tax rules and in most states, they aren’t very clear. After spending almost an hour researching some sales tax questions for a photographer and not finding a clear answer, I decided to just call.

Here are 4 easy steps to call your state tax department.

#1 Go to the bathroom first.

I’m not even kidding. I made this mistake just today and had to do a little dance while I waited to speak to someone at the Michigan Department of Treasury for over 20 minutes.

#2 Have your list of questions written out.

I’m the first to admit that sometimes I can get flustered and forget to ask certain things in the heat of the moment. They all come rushing back to me after I hang up, and then I have to sit through another round of PureMichigan ads as I wait to hear from someone.

#3 If possible, ask them to email you the “proof.”

By having documentation, you are protecting yourself if you are ever audited and the findings go against what you were told. If they don’t want to email you, at a minimum ask for their name and record the date and time you spoke with them.

#4 Don’t rely on your memory.

I like to have a Google Doc open with my questions ready when I call. Then, as I get the answers to my questions, I type word for word (as best as I can) what the state employee is telling me.

What is my state sales tax telephone number?

Alabama Sales Tax Phone Number: 334-242-1170

Arizona Sales Tax Phone Number: 602-255-3381

Arkansas Sales Tax Phone Number: 501-682-7104

California Sales Tax Phone Number: 800-400-7115

Colorado Sales Tax Phone Number: 303-238-7378

Connecticut Sales Tax Phone Number: 860-297-5962

District of Columbia Sales Tax Phone Number: 202-727-4829

Florida Sales Tax Phone Number: 850-488-6800

Georgia Sales Tax Phone Number: 877-423-6711

Hawaii Sales Tax Phone Number: 808-587-4242

Idaho Sales Tax Phone Number: 800-972-7660

Illinois Sales Tax Phone Number: 800-732-8866

Indiana Sales Tax Phone Number: 317-233-4015

Iowa Sales Tax Phone Number: 800-367-3388

Kansas Sales Tax Phone Number: 785-368-8222

Kentucky Sales Tax Phone Number: 502-564-5170

Louisiana Sales Tax Phone Number: 855-307-3893

Maine Sales Tax Phone Number: 207-624-9693

Maryland Sales Tax Phone Number: 800-638-2937

Massachusetts Sales Tax Phone Number: 617-887-6367

Michigan Sales Tax Phone Number: 517-335-7508

Minnesota Sales Tax Phone Number: 651-296-6181

Mississippi Sales Tax Phone Number: 601-923-7015

Missouri Sales Tax Phone Number: 573-751-4450

Nebraska Sales Tax Phone Number: 402‑471‑5729

Nevada Sales Tax Phone Number: 866-962-3707

New Jersey Sales Tax Phone Number: 609-292-6400

New Mexico Sales Tax Phone Number: 505-827-0832

New York Sales Tax Phone Number: 518-485-2889

North Carolina Sales Tax Phone Number: 877-252-3052

North Dakota Sales Tax Phone Number: 701-328-1246

Ohio Sales Tax Phone Number: 888-405-4039

Oklahoma Sales Tax Phone Number: 405-521-3160

Pennsylvania Sales Tax Phone Number: 717-787-1064

Rhode Island Sales Tax Phone Number: 401-574-8955

South Carolina Sales Tax Phone Number: 803-898-5000

South Dakota Sales Tax Phone Number: 800-829-9188

Tennessee Sales Tax Phone Number: 615-253-0600

Texas Sales Tax Phone Number: 800-252-5555

Utah Sales Tax Phone Number: 800-662-4335

Vermont Sales Tax Phone Number: 802-828-2551

Virginia Sales Tax Phone Number: 804-367-8037

Washington Sales Tax Phone Number: 800-647-7706

West Virginia Sales Tax Phone Number: 800-982-8297

Wisconsin Sales Tax Phone Number: 608-266-2776

Wyoming Sales Tax Phone Number: 307-777-5200