Thank you so much to all of those who reached out to help me figure out this sales tax problem. In case you are interested in an update...

Based on fantastic advice from Shelley Stedman, I contacted the CT Dept of Revenue Services. I was directed to the expert on this topic (a very nice and helpful man named Melvin). According to him, a public school running a book fair fundraiser qualifies for the sales tax exemption (see CT Cert 119 http://www.ct.gov/drs/lib/drs/forms/2004forms/certificates/cert-119.pdf) and customers of the book fair fundraiser (whether school staff or not) do not pay sales tax. 

One thing to note, however, is that this exemption is only good for five days in a calendar year (they do not need to be consecutive days). If the book fair is six days, I would need to charge sales tax on one of those days, for example. 

Thanks again! Have a wonderful evening. 
Ariel

Ariel Wander
Library Media Specialist 
West Haven Schools 

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 20, 2018, at 9:12 AM, Ariel Wander <aocean1127@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello all,

I'm currently running a Follett Book Fair this year, which is fantastic for so many reasons, but I'm having one issue.  I've been told that we are required to charge sales tax.  In the past, we've never charged sales tax for the one book fair that we run each year.  

Can someone please tell me if we are supposed to be charging sales tax?  If you do, how do you handle students who come in with checks already filled out?

Thank you!
Ariel

Ariel Wander
Library Media Specialist
West Haven Schools