Sales tax only, on purpose
Mike Espenshade co-founded HOST in 1999, and in twenty-seven years the firm has done one thing. Not bookkeeping with a sales tax add-on, not software with a support desk: registrations, returns, notices and audits, and nothing else.
Who we work with
Small and medium e-commerce businesses, and the financial service partners who look after them. We help whether you are outsourcing your returns, working out where you have nexus, wondering whether what you sell is even taxable, or deciding whether to launch at all.
What changed in 2018
Economic nexus arrived, and selling into a state started creating an obligation without a person or a warehouse in it. Thresholds vary by state and they move. That is the problem HOST was already twenty years into when it appeared.
The bigger firm behind us
HOST’s parent company is TaxMatrix, which manages sales tax for some of the largest companies in North America. HOST exists to bring that same work to small and medium e-commerce businesses, the ones who hit economic nexus in a dozen states and suddenly need the kind of help that used to be reserved for enterprises.
Leadership
Co-Founder & President
Mike Espenshade
VP of Operations
Kyle Morgan
Head of Product
Joe Polakowski
What we hold ourselves to
Listening clearly, advising clearly.
Sales tax is a pain point, and we are often not the most popular meeting of the day. We ask clarifying questions rather than guess, and we give the correct advice on a difficult topic even when it is not the welcome one.
Doing the right thing.
We are honest with clients, with ourselves and with each other, however uncomfortable the conversation.
Efficiency and accountability.
One clearly outlined process, everyone pitching in, because the collective effort beats what any of us could do for a client alone.
Staying kind, calm and confident.
Professional, no drama, conflicts resolved quickly and fairly.
Embracing a growth mindset.
We aim to learn something new every day, and to grow in our sales tax expertise, our usefulness as a company, our service to our customers, and as human beings.
Tell us where you sell
How to start
Start with a free consultation.
If you are not sure which service you need, tell us where you sell and what you sell. We will tell you which states you need to worry about and which service fits, or whether you need one at all. No obligation.
