Sales tax exemptions become especially important and often more complicated when businesses operate across multiple states. Whether you’re a buyer claiming an exemption or a seller accepting one, the rules can vary significantly. Each state sets its own criteria, documentation requirements, and renewal policies, making compliance a moving target. This complexity affects both sides of the transaction: buyers must provide accurate, state-specific certificates, while sellers are responsible for verifying and storing them correctly. 

Running a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) is no easy task—especially when your customers or operations stretch across borders. While global markets offer exciting growth opportunities, they also bring a complex layer of tax responsibilities that many entrepreneurs aren’t prepared for. 

For companies expanding internationally, understanding how Value-Added Tax (VAT) works in different countries is not just helpful—it’s essential. The global VAT landscape can feel overwhelming at first glance, with each country applying its own rules, rates, and procedures. However, grasping the basics of these systems is crucial to keeping your business compliant and avoiding unexpected tax liabilities. 

Taking your business global can unlock incredible opportunities—but before you make your first sale abroad, there’s one crucial step you can’t overlook: securing the correct tax identification numbers (TINs) and VAT numbers. 

Without the right tax IDs, your business could face penalties, delayed shipments, or even blocked payments. Whether you’re launching an e-commerce store, offering SaaS services, or entering new markets through partnerships, understanding how to obtain these tax IDs is fundamental to staying compliant and operating smoothly.

In today’s highly interconnected global economy, expanding your business beyond borders opens up exciting opportunities—but it also introduces layers of complexity, particularly when it comes to tax compliance. 

As of July 1, 2025, several U.S. states have officially implemented significant tax changes, primarily targeting excise and sales taxes, alongside some adjustments to income and property taxes. These updates reflect a combination of statutory revisions, inflation-related adjustments, and new policies aimed at addressing evolving fiscal needs and emerging industries.

In a significant development for digital taxation policy in the United States, the State of Maryland will implement a 3% sales and use tax on digital services beginning July 1, 2025, under the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (HB 352). 

India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST), introduced on July 1, 2017, is a destination-based, value-added tax system that replaced multiple indirect taxes like excise duty, VAT, and service tax. Its purpose is to simplify taxation and remove cascading effects. Governed by the GST Council (comprising the Union Finance Minister and State Finance Ministers), GST regulations are frequently updated to reflect economic conditions and administrative improvements. 

As part of a broader global trend, Indonesia is tightening its enforcement of Goods and Services Tax (GST) obligations for foreign digital service providers. Beginning in 2025, the country will reaffirm the application of an 11% GST on all nonresident business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) digital sales exceeding an annual threshold of IDR 600 million (approximately USD 40,000).