If you sell consumer packaged goods (CPG), you’re playing tax compliance on “hard mode.” Product bundling rules, multi-state sales, marketplaces, and global expansion create a maze of taxability decisions and filing obligations. One misstep and you’re facing penalties, audit exposure, and time-draining rework.
Why CPG tax gets complicated fast
- Bundled products (e.g., “gift sets,” multi-packs) can change taxability depending on what’s included and where you sell.
- Multi-state and global rules shift frequently, and each jurisdiction treats categories differently.
- Audit risk is rising, especially for businesses expanding into new channels or geographies.
Avalara’s team highlights these realities specifically for CPG leaders and explains how to reduce risk with the right process and tooling.
The cost of getting it wrong
Compliance mistakes don’t just create fines—they erode margins and distract teams from growth. When rules change mid-stream or exemption documentation is incomplete, finance teams scramble, operations stall, and leadership loses visibility. That’s why our experts emphasize proactive controls and automation to lower audit exposure and standardize the work.
Where automation earns its keep
Avalara helps you:
- Calculate tax accurately across states, channels, and countries—at the time of sale.
- Streamline exemption certificate management so expired or missing documents don’t blow up your audit.
- Reduce manual filings and repetitive tasks that eat up your team’s time.
These are the exact areas Avalara and Western Computer call out as high-impact for CPG companies looking to de-risk compliance while scaling.
Don’t overlook nexus—especially as you grow
As sales expand, it’s easy to trigger new nexus obligations without realizing it. Understanding economic, physical, and affiliate nexus, plus how rules vary by state, is non-negotiable for controlling risk. Our upcoming session drills into common misconceptions, real examples, and how Avalara’s tools help manage compliance efficiently.
How Western Computer + Avalara fit into your Microsoft strategy
Western Computer integrates tax automation into your Dynamics 365 environment so compliance runs in the background—not as a separate, manual project. With Avalara as part of your tax solution, you can keep sales, finance, and reporting aligned while reducing the swivel-chair work between systems.
Quick wins to start now
- Map your product catalog for taxability and bundles. Align items and kits to the correct rules per jurisdiction.
- Centralize exemption certificates. Put automated checks in place so expirations or gaps don’t surface during an audit.
- Monitor nexus proactively. Review sales patterns quarterly; if you’ve crossed a threshold, adjust filings before risk compounds.
- Automate repeatable tasks. Offload rate lookups, returns, and filing calendars to reduce manual errors and late fees.
You’re invited: “Know Your Nexus”
Tuesday, September 16 at 11:00 AM PT / 2:00 PM ET
If your footprint has changed—even slightly—you may have new filing obligations. In this webinar, we’ll:
- Explain economic, physical, and affiliate nexus and why each matters,
- Call out state-by-state differences that trip teams up,
- Debunk common misconceptions, using real scenarios, and
- Show how Avalara tools and services simplify compliance at scale.
Save your seat and leave with a clear checklist to reduce risk before your next audit cycle.
Bottom line
CPG tax is complex, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic. With Western Computer’s Microsoft expertise and Avalara’s automation, you can protect margins, free up your team, and move into new markets with confidence. Start by watching the video and then join us on September 16 to make sure your nexus strategy is airtight.
