Sales Tax 101: Are You Charging Your Customers—Or Paying the State Out of Pocket?
Let’s talk. Not just entrepreneur to entrepreneur—but smart business to sustainable business.
Because here’s the thing:
If you’re selling anything—physical, digital, boxed up, emailed, or served on a plate—and you’re not charging sales tax?
You might be playing yourself.
Not intentionally. But ignorance of the law doesn’t exempt you from the bill.
The Truth:
Sales tax isn’t optional.
It’s not cute. It’s not a tip. And it’s not something you “cover” to be nice.
It’s state money—you’re just the middleman (or middlewoman) tasked with holding and handing it over.
And if you skip that step? You pay it.
Not your customer. Not your accountant. You.
Let’s Put This in Real-World Terms (Because Theory Ain’t Payin’ Bills)
The Car Dealer Example:
You sell a car for $10,000. Congrats.
But you didn’t collect sales tax at the point of sale?
Georgia says: “Cool. You owe us 7%.”
That’s $700.
Gone from your margins. Gone from your next flip. Gone from that website you were finally about to launch.
💡 That $700 should’ve been added to the price, collected at checkout, and passed to the state. You weren’t supposed to absorb it.
The Food Business Trap
You sell meals at $15.
You’re poppin’—100 orders a week. That’s $6,000/month.
Sales tax in GA on food? Around 7%.
That’s $420 in tax you should’ve charged your customers. But you didn’t. So now it’s coming out of your revenue.
And listen—do that for 6 months? You’ve thrown away $2,500.
Not in inventory. Not in investment. In liabilities.
“But I Sell Canva Templates…”
And Georgia said, “Cool—those count now too.”
As of January 1, 2024, digital products like:
Templates
E-books
PDFs
Music & videos
Access codes
…are officially taxable in Georgia.
If you’re not charging it? You’re eating it.
And Florida? They’re not far behind.
Gut Check: Are You Collecting Sales Tax?
Ask yourself:
Do I even know the sales tax rate in my area or state?
(FYI: As of July 1st, Thomas County is 8%)
Do I even know if my product is taxable in my state?
Is my website collecting sales tax automatically?
Am I registered with my state’s Department of Revenue?
Have I filed anything?
If your answer is “umm…”
We’ve got a problem—but not one we can’t fix.
Here’s What to Do This Week:
1. Register to Collect Sales Tax:
2. Turn on Tax Collection in Your Website Platform:
(Shopify, Squarespace, Etsy, etc.)
3. If you’re lost—get help. Talk to someone who knows (👋🏾 hey, that’s me).
Final Word
You didn’t start this business to play accountant. But you do want to stay in business.
Sales tax isn’t profit. It’s not yours to keep. But if you don’t treat it right? The state will still come for it—from your wallet. So let’s stop leaking cash and start operating smarter.
Got questions?
DM me. Email me. Slide in respectfully.
Bri Advised is here to help you look good, stay legal, and keep more of what you earn. Because clarity isn’t just cute—it’s required.
One More Thing…
A few years ago, a business right here in town went a long time without charging sales tax or filing sales tax returns.
Eventually, agents from the Department of Revenue showed up and shut it down—until they filed all past-due returns and set up a payment plan to cover back taxes.
It’s a big deal!
Bonus Tip: Why a Sales Tax Number Helps You, Too
Once you register with GADOR and get your sales tax number, you’ll be issued a sales tax certificate.
Some folks call this a wholesale or tax-exempt number. What they mean is this:
If you’re a retailer, this certificate allows you to buy items for resale without paying sales tax yourself.
Yes, really. That’s money back in your pocket.
Let’s stop sleeping on sales tax.
Let’s stop covering what the customer should be paying.
Let’s start doing business like we plan to be here a while.
