Some websites and industry newsletters look authoritative but don't hold up under scrutiny. Here's how to spot the ones that aren't worth your time.

Outdated posts. A blog post from 2020 that lists rates as of that date might still rank high in search results. If the page doesn't show a "last updated" date, be suspicious. Even with a date, a lot can change in a year.

Copy-paste tables. You'll see the same table repeated across dozens of sites, often with no source cited. If a page doesn't link to the state's official page or the Tax Foundation, it's probably copying someone else's work—and errors get amplified.

Generic legal advice. Some sites post "state tax rates" but include a disclaimer that they're not legal advice and then offer no real specifics. That's not helpful. You need concrete numbers and a path to verify them.

Distributor marketing. A distributor might publish a rate table to attract customers, but they're not a neutral source. They have an incentive to make their prices look attractive, which could mean understating the tax. Always cross-check against a government source.

Here's a quick checklist for evaluating any source:

• Does the page show a last-updated date?
• Does it link to the official state revenue department for each rate?
• Does it distinguish between wholesale and retail tax bases?
• Does it note whether the rate is ad valorem (percentage) or per-unit?
• Does it mention pending legislation that could change the rate?

If a source fails on any of these, use it only as a lead, not as your basis for charging tax.