- Dec 2, 2023
- 2 min read

Unraveling Sales Tax Inaccuracies in Lease Agreements: A Frustration for NAR Realtors and Lessors

Updated: Jan 17

As a former Realtor who has transitioned into the realm of property management accounting, one persistent frustration that continues to cross my record-keeping calculations is the consistent inaccuracy of sales tax calculations in standard lease agreements. In particular, the oversight tends to lean in favor of the lessor, leaving them unwittingly covering the lessee's sales tax, as well as, being obligated to additional labor costs for their property accountants time spent on re-calculations.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Sales Tax: The National Association of Realtors plays a pivotal role in shaping industry standards and practices. However, the intricacies of sales tax calculations in lease agreements seem to be slipping through the cracks. This issue not only affects the financial well-being of lessors but also undermines the accuracy and transparency that should characterize real estate transactions.

Implications for Lessors: When sales tax calculations are inaccurately represented, lessors may find themselves unintentionally covering the lessee's sales tax burden. This can result in financial losses and erode the expected returns from leasing properties.

Navigating the Complexity: The complexity of sales tax regulations adds another layer to the challenge. With varying rates, exemptions, and specific rules for different regions, the task of ensuring accurate calculations becomes even more daunting.

Proposing Solutions: To rectify this issue, the real estate industry, with the guidance of organizations like the NAR, should prioritize implementing standardized and accurate sales tax calculations in lease agreements. This may involve updated templates, enhanced training for real estate professionals, and increased awareness of the potential pitfalls associated with sales tax miscalculations.

Conclusion: We have devised a plan to automate the accounting of lease contracting, ensuring the Realtors are calculating sales tax appropriately without having to fully navigate sales tax complexity, while also keeping the lessor advised of lease expirations and security deposit refunds on terminated leases. For more information, contact us.