Tis the season – the hectic season! Tax professionals are busy with thoughts and actions to close a year, close audits, plan for 2017, update tax rates, procure and arrange for sales tax projects to hit the new year off running, and oh yeah – to shop for holiday presents for co-workers and loved ones.

Since VJI Views is a blog dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing community and particularly to tax issues and to the overall economic condition of the manufacturing community, I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a festive holiday season, to have a compliant and pain-free sales and use tax environment in 2017 and to purchase “American made” when possible this season and all through 2017.

The Alliance for American Manufacturing has issued a useful blog outlining state-by-state a 2016 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide. When purchasing items through the internet, don’t forget to self-assess use tax if the seller does not charge tax on your purchase. For individuals that need assistance on paying use tax, visit your state’s Department of Revenue website for instructions on how to self-assess and remit the tax.