When you're managing sales tax for your business, it's tempting to look for the simplest solution. A platform. An app. A dashboard that claims to do it all.
But when it comes to something as complex, ever-changing, and high-stakes as sales tax compliance, simplicity can be deceiving. What you really need is expertise—not just software prompts.
That’s why, at TaxValet, we provide a Fractional Sales Tax Department—where we invest deeply in training, education, and industry relationships to ensure that our team is equipped to handle even the most nuanced challenges our clients face.
Inside IPT Sales Tax School: How We Train Our Experts
Recently, our Head of Onboarding, Natalie Troutman, attended the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) Sales Tax School 2. It’s part of the process to earn the Certified Member of the Institute (CMI) designation—one of the most respected credentials in the sales tax field.
And Natalie isn't the first to take this path.
At TaxValet, pursuing the CMI designation is not a rare exception—it's a standard we actively pursue. Our founder, Alex, our CEO, Christine, and our VP of Operations, Alyssa, are already fully certified CMIs. With Natalie currently attending Sales Tax School and our Prospective Client Advisor, Tara (the one in our pink button that says ‘Chat with Tara’), currently preparing for her exams, this level of commitment runs deep throughout our team.
These trainings aren’t just check-the-box continuing education. They’re rigorous, real-world, and designed for professionals managing sales tax at the highest levels—including Fortune 500 companies and Big 4 accounting firms.
Sales Tax School 2 builds on foundational knowledge and dives deep into:
- Complex industries like manufacturing, telecom, and oil & gas
- Nexus analysis and audit defense strategies
- Legal precedent and how case law shapes tax obligations
- E-commerce nuances (yes, it gets its own section!)
What TaxValet’s Sales Tax Expertise Means for Your Business
For TaxValet clients, this kind of investment translates into real value.
You get a Fractional Sales Tax Department that:
- Understands your industry (even if it’s complicated)
- Knows how to prepare for and defend against audits
- Keeps up with changing laws and emerging trends
- Can troubleshoot edge cases with confidence
This is one of the key ways we distinguish ourselves from do-it-yourself platforms. We’re not just offering convenience—we’re offering competence, rooted in world-class training and proven expertise.
Sales Tax Networking: Why Relationships Matter at TaxValet
One of the most powerful, yet underrated, benefits of attending IPT conferences is the network.
Natalie met attorneys, in-house tax professionals, and peers who specialize in niches like manufacturing tax compliance. Those relationships become resources. When a tricky or unfamiliar situation comes up, we don’t have to guess—we call a friend who’s been there.
We also meet incredible people who might one day become part of the TaxValet team. Because when we hire, we want people who are already invested in mastering sales tax at the highest level.
Why TaxValet Is Your Trusted Fractional Sales Tax Partner
This is what we mean when we say we’re your Fractional Sales Tax Department. It’s not just software. It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it tool. It’s a real team, with real training, real relationships, and real expertise.
We’re proud to invest in the kind of education that helps our clients sleep better at night. Because sales tax doesn’t stay still. And neither do we.
Curious about what it looks like to work with a true sales tax partner? Read our full guide to what a Fractional Sales Tax Department is and why it matters.
