Kristin Alexander

Government Technology • 05/22/2025

Understanding Cyber Risks in the AI Era

Artificial intelligence is changing the game for government cybersecurity. Gone are the days when security teams could weed out phishing emails based on simple indicators like misspellings or awkward syntax. Today’s cybercriminals are weaponizing AI to evade detection and launch more sophisticated attacks. AI is also reshaping the cybersecurity landscape for IT teams working to protect networks and secure sensitive data.

Avalara • 05/21/2025

Cross-border ecommerce trends: How global businesses are adapting to growth, regulation, and risk

Significant growth in global ecommerce is creating new opportunities for businesses worldwide. The chance to enter new markets also presents challenges, especially where logistics and compliance with complex trade regulations are concerned. To understand how businesses are adapting to this shift, Censuswide surveyed 903 executives overseeing global logistics, supply chain, and international trade compliance.

Avalara, Inc. • 01/23/2025

Avalara tax changes 2025

I wrote the sections on beverage alcohol, communications, and excise (energy, fuel, tobacco, and vape) for Avalara's flagship annual report.

Avalara, Inc. • 11/25/2024

The future of AI in finance and tax compliance

Finance and tax professionals are under increased pressure to operate more efficiently while remaining strategic business advisors. The growing importance of their ability to shape the overall direction and success of their organizations is demonstrated by how companies worldwide are investing in technology to improve how finance and tax teams perform their jobs.

Avalara • 04/03/2024

Strategic tax administration: How governments can improve compliance and maximize efficiency

States, local governments, and businesses suffer when companies fail to comply with tax regulations.

Avalara, Inc. • 03/05/2024

Know Your Nexus

Getting sales tax compliance right is important. The first step is understanding where your business has nexus, or where you need to collect and remit sales and use tax. Nexus is ever-changing and it can be confusing for even savvy professionals.

Avalara • 10/11/2023

Sales and use tax audits: How to prepare your business

Expanding into new markets, adding new sales channels, and launching new products are great for growing revenue but these activities can affect sales and use tax obligations. It’s important for companies to consider how changes to their business may impact their audit risk.

Avalara • 09/22/2023

State of finance market trends report

How global tax and finance teams are using automation to transform challenges into opportunities.

Avalara • 09/12/2023

2023 communications tax changes - Avalara

Wrote the communications section of Avalara Tax Changes 2023, highlighting trends and key issues impacting the communications industry. Updated and expanded the report in fall 2023.

Avalara • 07/21/2023

The future of business: How automation is driving efficiency and innovation for today's leading industries

Wrote the six industry perspectives for this report for Avalara.

Avalara • 04/11/2023

The state of beverage alcohol tax compliance

The beverage alcohol industry has grown exponentially in recent decades. ... Avalara worked with leading research firm Potentiate to find out how wineries, breweries, distilleries, and retailers are managing compliance.

Avalara • 11/15/2022

Communications tax complexity: Is your business on the hook for new taxes?

As technologies like streaming, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) make their way into a wide variety of products and services, many businesses are experiencing increased tax complexity. Companies that integrate new features or enter into mergers are often surprised to discover they may have liabilities beyond sales and use tax.

Avalara • 07/13/2022

Holiday Readiness Guide - Avalara

For retailers, gearing up for the holiday season has historically meant serving up a plate of tasty offers with all the trimmings in anticipation of the peak buying period in the United States from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday. But, the definition of the holiday season may be changing as stores try to lure deal-hungry shoppers to buy earlier — and many consumers are biting.

Avalara • 05/18/2022

Conquering beverage alcohol compliance challenges

As a beverage alcohol seller, you work to keep a lot of balls in the air. Between the time your product is bottled and the moment it reaches the hands and bellies of happy customers, a lot has to happen. When your attention is focused on growing your business, nurturing customer relationships and getting your product on store shelves and doorsteps, compliance can seem like just another chore. But you can't afford to ignore it.

Avalara • 10/16/2020

10 tips for successful selling in a holiday season like no other

This white paper for Avalara provides practical advice from industry experts plus shares 10 important tips to help retailers capture new sales opportunities, satisfy customers and maintain sales tax compliance.

Avalara • 04/19/2021

Mergers and Acquisitions: A sales tax compliance overview to help reduce your risk

As businesses prepare for a post-COVID-19 world, expanding product lines and growing market shares will be crucial to their success. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are important avenues for propelling a business forward to gain a competitive advantage. Among the many business factors to consider while undergoing a business reorganization, sales tax compliance tends to fall near the bottom of the list.

Avalara • 02/17/2021

An overview of economic nexus in the beverage alcohol industry

It’s easier than ever for consumers to have their favorite merlot or chardonnay delivered to their doorstep. Driven by demand for convenience, the direct-to-consumer (DTC) channel continues to expand rapidly. This overview will help you understand not only what economic nexus is and why it’s important, but also the history of nexus determination in the beverage alcohol industry right down to the most recent 2020 legislation.