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Press Release
September 30, 2005

Oklahoma Leads Way in Steamlined Sales Tax Project; Offers Amnesty to Retailers

A new system is set to go in place on October 1, 2005 that affects retailers who make deliveries or sell in more than one location, including across state lines. Oklahoma is one of nineteen states leading the way in a collaborative national effort to “streamline” the way sales tax is collected and remitted across the country.

Oklahoma will now be a part of what’s considered a centralized registration system. A retailer who operates in many states can go to one centralized web site and automatically register in all the states that are members of the agreement at one time. They will no longer need to go to each individual state to register.

The benefits for retailers registered under the streamlined system are many. For example each state used to have a different definition for what a prosthetic device is now however all participating states will have the same definition. Other benefits include a standard state tax rate, uniform audit procedures and rules that are simplified for sourcing transactions across state and local boundaries.

On October 1, 2005 the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement, a multi-state agreement providing for simplification of the nation’s varying sales tax laws, will become effective, marking the beginning of one of its key components, an amnesty program. The amnesty program is available for sales or use taxes uncollected or unpaid on sales by retailers for any period prior to registration through the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Central Registration System.

“It is our hope that retailers who are affected by the Streamlined Sales Tax Project will take advantage of the amnesty program,” said Paula Ross, Oklahoma Tax Commission spokesperson. “This is a period of time which will allow these retailers to take advantage of entering into the agreement and not worry about the consequences of not having filed past reports or taxes with other states and jurisdictions.”

Retailers not currently registered to collect sales taxes in a member state and who volunteer to collect or pay sales or use taxes in the member states by registering through the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Central Registration System are eligible for the amnesty program.

Retailers that are interested in learning more and registering for the Streamlined Sales Tax Project should visit https://www.sstregister.org/sellers.