Dietary Supplement Seller Wins Refund of California Sales Tax

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A Delaware-based multilevel marketing company that sells weight-loss supplements, Body Wise International LLC, has been awarded a refund of about $150,000 in California sales tax. The California Superior Court of Sacramento County ruled that the state failed to prove Body Wise had misapplied sales tax on out-of-state transactions, finding the company's invoices could have confused customers about whether the 'tax amount' referred to California sales tax or tax for another jurisdiction.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complexities around sales tax collection and remittance, especially for companies operating across state lines. The court's ruling suggests California's tax authorities will need to provide clearer evidence of misapplied taxes in the future to prevail in such disputes.

The details

Body Wise International LLC, a Delaware-based multilevel marketing company that sells weight-loss supplements, was awarded a refund of about $150,000 in California sales tax. The California Superior Court of Sacramento County ruled that the state failed to prove Body Wise had misapplied sales tax on out-of-state transactions, finding the company's invoices could have confused customers about whether the 'tax amount' referred to California sales tax or tax for another jurisdiction.

• The California Superior Court of Sacramento County issued its tentative ruling on March 13, 2026.