NYS Sales Tax Audit Representation for Long Island Businesses
Selected for a New York State sales tax audit? Our CPA team in Port Jefferson Station and St. James represents retailers, restaurants, contractors, and e-commerce sellers across Suffolk County. We handle notices, organize records, meet with auditors, and work to reduce or remove proposed assessments—so you can keep serving customers from Setauket to Smithtown without disruption.
Stay Calm—There’s a Clear Plan for Sales Tax Audits
Sales tax exams often start with a letter and a long document request. We step in quickly to review the scope, assess risk areas (cash sales, tips, delivery charges, exempt sales), and map out what NYS is really asking for. With an organized approach and a professional liaison, audits become manageable—and outcomes improve.
What Auditors Look For—and How We Prepare
We assemble the right records and address common NYS focus points to minimize adjustments.
Books & POS Records:
Daily Z-tapes, sales summaries, bank deposit tie-outs, credit-card statements
Exempt Sales Proof:
Properly completed ST-120 resale/other exemption certificates and tracking logs
Use Tax Exposure:
Purchases without sales tax (equipment, supplies, online buys) that may require use-tax accrual
Cash & Tips:
Reconciliation of cash sales and gratuities for restaurants and service businesses
Delivery/Shipping Charges:
When freight is taxable vs. nontaxable on customer invoices
Industry Issues:
Hospitality modifiers, contractor materials vs. labor, retail markdowns and voids
Nexus & Multi-State:
Marketplace/e-commerce activity and potential exposure in nearby states (e.g., CT, NJ)
Our Sales Tax Audit Process
We begin with a document request review and risk assessment, then build an evidence file that reconciles reported taxable sales to bank deposits and POS data. If NYS proposes a projection or sampling method, we evaluate the sample period, remove anomalies, and challenge unsupported extrapolations.
When the auditor drafts schedules, we
negotiate adjustments, document valid exemptions, and press for
penalty relief where reasonable. If needed, we pursue
conciliations or appeals. Throughout, you get plain-English updates and next-step checklists.
Representation Beyond the Exam Room
Audits don’t end when the fieldwork wraps. We help you
implement fixes—certificate management, POS settings, invoice language, and use-tax procedures—so the next period is cleaner and less risky. If an assessment remains, we’ll structure a
payment plan that keeps cash flow stable.
Prevent Future Issues with Practical Controls
Simple routines prevent big assessments: monthly POS-to-bank reconciliations, certificate renewals, freight/tax settings reviewed quarterly, and a brief use-tax check before closing each month. We can train your staff, tune QuickBooks item codes, and provide a short sales tax compliance checklist tailored to your shop in Nesconset, Lake Grove, or anywhere on Long Island. When in doubt, ask—we’re here year-round.