As a business owner in Houston, TX, you are responsible for collecting and remitting sales tax on the taxable goods and services you sell. This can be a daunting task if you are not familiar with the process, but fortunately, we are here to help. In this blog post, we will explain everything you need to know about filing sales tax in Houston, including when you need to file, what forms to use, and where to send your payment.

When Do I Need to File?

In Texas, sales tax is due on the 20th of the month following the reporting period. For example, if you made sales between December 1 and December 31, your sales tax return would be due on January 20 (assuming you have a monthly filing requirement). If the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, returns are due the next business day. There are also quarterly and annual filing options. 

What Forms Do I Need to Use?

To file your sales tax return in Houston, you will need to use Form 01-117, which can be found on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts website. This form must be completed even if you did not make any sales during the reporting period. 

Where Do I Send My Payment?

Payments can be made online through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts website, by mail using Form 01-160 (also available on the website), or via telephone using the Customer Service Center number listed on your return form. 

Filing your small business’s sales taxes may seem like a daunting task, but we hope that this blog post has demystified the process for you. If you have any further questions about filing sales tax in Houston, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.

PAssionately Engaged

We aren't your average tax firm. We specialize in helping you maximize your tax situation and live more comfortably.

Education Focused

We guarantee you will learn something new. If you are looking for an average experience, we probably aren't the firm for you.

Feels Likely FamiLY

We started business 40 years ago out of the Molen's home and to this day, we still treat our clients like family.

 

Latest News

Looking for an Accountant?

Subscribe Now

IRS May Owe You Money Under The Kwong Case

Understanding Kwong Refund Recovery and Your Potential Savings What Is Kwong, and Why Should You Care? In early 2023, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims issued a ruling in Kwong v. United States that has significant implications for anyone who filed taxes during...

Cost Segregation: When It Works, When It Doesn’t, and When It Backfires

Cost segregation is often marketed as a guaranteed tax win for real estate owners. In the right situation, it can create significant short-term tax savings and improve cash flow. In the wrong situation, it adds cost, complexity, and sometimes creates tax problems that...

Bonus Depreciation vs Section 179: What Changed and Why It Matters Now

Depreciation is one of the most powerful tax tools available to small business owners and real estate investors, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. Bonus depreciation and Section 179 both allow businesses to accelerate deductions for equipment and asset...

Your Tax Return Is Done — Now What? A Post-Filing Checklist for Business Owners

For many business owners, filing the tax return feels like crossing the finish line. Documents are submitted, payments are made, and attention shifts back to running the business. In reality, filing is not the end of the tax process. It is a checkpoint. What you do...

Vehicle Deductions Explained: Standard Mileage vs Actual Expenses

Vehicle expenses are one of the most common deductions claimed by small business owners, and also one of the most frequently misunderstood. Choosing between the standard mileage method and the actual expense method is not just a math exercise. The decision affects...

Home Office Deduction: Why Most People Do It Wrong

The home office deduction is one of the most misunderstood areas of tax law. Many taxpayers avoid it entirely out of fear of audits, while others claim it aggressively without meeting the requirements. Both approaches can be costly. The home office deduction is...

What Happens If You’re Not Ready to File by the Deadline?

As a tax deadline approaches, many individuals and small business owners realize they are not ready. Documents are missing, bookkeeping is incomplete, or key information has not yet arrived. When this happens, panic often sets in, followed by rushed decisions that...

What to Do If You Owe the IRS More Than You Can Pay

Finding out you owe the IRS more than you can realistically pay is stressful, but it is not uncommon—especially for small business owners, self-employed individuals, and anyone without consistent tax withholding. The worst mistake you can make in this situation is...

Roth Conversions: One of the Most Powerful (and Misunderstood) Tax Strategies

Real Estate & Rental Property Tax Strategies: What Investors Need to KnowEvery year, we see it. Clients come to us asking about Roth conversions—some have heard they’re a great strategy, others are worried about the tax hit, and many aren’t sure if it even applies...

Meals vs Entertainment: What Changed, What Didn’t, and What Still Confuses People

Few areas of tax deductions create as much confusion as meals and entertainment. Over the years, the rules have changed multiple times, and many business owners still rely on outdated assumptions. Some think meals are never deductible. Others assume anything involving...

Schedule a Discovery Meeting

One Hour Discovery meeting for business owners looking for an advisor to help them with accounting and tax preparation to see if we are a good fit.

Monthly Newsletter

We strive to be education focused in all we do. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to learn from the experts and improve your taxes and finances!

Latest News

IRS May Owe You Money Under The Kwong Case

Understanding Kwong Refund Recovery and Your Potential Savings What Is Kwong, and Why Should You Care? In early 2023, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims issued a ruling in Kwong v. United States that has significant implications for anyone who filed taxes during...

Cost Segregation: When It Works, When It Doesn’t, and When It Backfires

Cost segregation is often marketed as a guaranteed tax win for real estate owners. In the right situation, it can create significant short-term tax savings and improve cash flow. In the wrong situation, it adds cost, complexity, and sometimes creates tax problems that...

Bonus Depreciation vs Section 179: What Changed and Why It Matters Now

Depreciation is one of the most powerful tax tools available to small business owners and real estate investors, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. Bonus depreciation and Section 179 both allow businesses to accelerate deductions for equipment and asset...

Your Tax Return Is Done — Now What? A Post-Filing Checklist for Business Owners

For many business owners, filing the tax return feels like crossing the finish line. Documents are submitted, payments are made, and attention shifts back to running the business. In reality, filing is not the end of the tax process. It is a checkpoint. What you do...

Vehicle Deductions Explained: Standard Mileage vs Actual Expenses

Vehicle expenses are one of the most common deductions claimed by small business owners, and also one of the most frequently misunderstood. Choosing between the standard mileage method and the actual expense method is not just a math exercise. The decision affects...

Home Office Deduction: Why Most People Do It Wrong

The home office deduction is one of the most misunderstood areas of tax law. Many taxpayers avoid it entirely out of fear of audits, while others claim it aggressively without meeting the requirements. Both approaches can be costly. The home office deduction is...

What Happens If You’re Not Ready to File by the Deadline?

As a tax deadline approaches, many individuals and small business owners realize they are not ready. Documents are missing, bookkeeping is incomplete, or key information has not yet arrived. When this happens, panic often sets in, followed by rushed decisions that...

What to Do If You Owe the IRS More Than You Can Pay

Finding out you owe the IRS more than you can realistically pay is stressful, but it is not uncommon—especially for small business owners, self-employed individuals, and anyone without consistent tax withholding. The worst mistake you can make in this situation is...

Roth Conversions: One of the Most Powerful (and Misunderstood) Tax Strategies

Real Estate & Rental Property Tax Strategies: What Investors Need to KnowEvery year, we see it. Clients come to us asking about Roth conversions—some have heard they’re a great strategy, others are worried about the tax hit, and many aren’t sure if it even applies...

Meals vs Entertainment: What Changed, What Didn’t, and What Still Confuses People

Few areas of tax deductions create as much confusion as meals and entertainment. Over the years, the rules have changed multiple times, and many business owners still rely on outdated assumptions. Some think meals are never deductible. Others assume anything involving...

Looking for an Accountant?

Schedule a Discovery Meeting

One Hour Discovery meeting for business owners looking for an advisor to help them with accounting and tax preparation to see if we are a good fit.

Subscribe Now

Share This