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Use Tax: The Overlooked Tax of Law Firms

By Bonnie Susmano
February 01, 2025

Understanding use tax, a tax imposed on goods or services purchased outside a jurisdiction but used within that jurisdiction, is critical. Use tax is meant to complement sales tax by ensuring that items bought from out-of-state sellers, where sales tax might not be collected, are still taxed.

This knowledge empowers law firms to navigate the tax implications of their purchases. For example, if a product is purchased from an online retailer that does not charge sales tax, you may be required to pay use tax to your state or local government when you bring the product into your home state. This tax helps to level the playing field between in-state and out-of-state retailers.

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