TaxDo I Include Sales Tax in Line 1 Gross Receipts? 

Do I Include Sales Tax in Line 1 Gross Receipts? 

Businesses that collect sales tax face a familiar question when preparing their monthly or quarterly sales tax return. Should the sales tax collected from customers be included in Line 1 gross receipts?  While it seems like a straightforward reporting item, state instructions vary and getting it wrong can create avoidable adjustments or state notices later. 

Unfortunately, there is no “One Size Fits All” answer.

States vary in how they define things and how they apply taxes.  Below are excerpts from each state’s publication that are relevant to this topic. (source documents are linked at the end of the article).  If you want to learn more about this topic, the Brady Martz team is ready to assist. 

  • Iowa: Combined Sales and Use Return (32-028) 
    Line 1: Gross Sales. Enter your gross sales subject to sales tax for the period. Do not include tax collected on taxable sales. 
  • Minnesota: Filing Information | Minnesota Department of Revenue 
    • Gross receipts – Total receipts (or sales) from all business operations for Minnesota during the reporting period. Include all taxable and exempt sales, leases, and rentals. Do not include sales tax. 
  • North Carolina: Instructions for Form E-500, Sales and Use Tax Return | NCDOR 
    Line 1 – NC Gross Receipts: Enter the total amount of gross receipts from your business operations that are sourced to North Carolina. Do not include any sales and use taxes collected. 
  • North Dakota: North Dakota Century Code t57c39.2 
    “Gross receipts” does not include: 
    (3) Any taxes legally imposed directly on the consumer that are separately stated on the invoice, bill of sale, or similar documents given to the purchaser; 
  • Nebraska: f_10.pdf 
    Line 1. Enter the total dollar amount of ALL Nebraska sales, leases, rentals, and services made or facilitated by your business or by an MMP on your behalf. Enter both taxable and exempt sales. Line 1 does not include the amount of sales tax collected 
  • South Dakota: Sales Tax Return Worksheet and Instructions Form 2034 
    1. Gross Sales 
    Gross sales must include all taxable and non-taxable sales of tangible personal property and services made in the current month or months, including Special Jurisdiction sales. Do not deduct expenses. Do not include sales tax collected from your customers. 
  • Texas: Texas Sales and Use Tax Forms 
    Item 1. Enter the total amount (not including tax) of ALL sales, services, leases and rentals of tangible personal property including all related charges made in Texas 

  • Wisconsin: 2025 S-114 Instructions for Wisconsin Sales and Use Tax Return 
    Line 1. Total Sales: Enter the total amount of all cash, credit, and conditional sales, including all sales tax charged. Include (a) sales, licenses, leases, and rentals of taxable and exempt tangible personal property, digital goods, and services, and (b) transportation charges collected from customers. Do not reduce the amount on this line for sales returns and allowances. 
Final Thoughts

A consistent filing process can prevent avoidable adjustments during state review. If your business files in multiple states, or if you’ve recently expanded locations, confirming how each state defines “gross receipts” is a quick way to strengthen compliance. 

If you’d like help reviewing your sales tax reporting setup, the Brady Martz team is always ready to assist. 

Sources:

Iowa Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax: Common Questions. 
https://revenue.iowa.gov/media/2654/download?inline 

Minnesota Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax: Filing Information. 
https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/guide/filing-information 

North Carolina Department of Revenue, Instructions for Form E-500: Sales and Use Tax Return. 
https://www.ncdor.gov/taxes-forms/sales-and-use-tax/sales-and-use-tax-forms-and-certificates/tax-return-forms-schedules/instructions-form-e-500-sales-and-use-tax-return 

North Dakota Century Code, §57-39.2-01: Sales and Use Tax. 
https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t57c39-2.pdf#nameddest=57-39p2-01 

Nebraska Department of Revenue, Form 10: Nebraska Sales and Use Tax Return. 
https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/tax-forms/f_10.pdf 

South Dakota Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax Return (Form 2034). 
https://sddor.seamlessdocs.com/f/2034 

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Sales and Use Tax Forms. 
https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/sales/forms/ 

Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Form S-114: Sales and Use Tax Return. 
https://www.revenue.wi.gov/DORForms/S-114.pdf