Sales tax basics for online sellers
A plain-English overview of sales tax for online businesses — what it is, when it applies, and how tools like Stripe Tax can help manage it.
Sales tax for online businesses can feel overwhelming. Rules vary by state, product type, and whether you have a physical presence. This guide gives you a grounding in the key concepts — and is clear about where you should lean on a professional.
Quick summary
Online sellers may be required to collect and remit sales tax in states where they have "nexus" — a legal connection. After the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court ruling, nexus can be created simply by crossing a sales volume or transaction threshold in a state, even without a physical location there. Sales tax rules are complex and vary widely. Always work with a tax professional or accountant to determine your obligations.
This is not tax advice
This guide explains general concepts to help you understand the landscape. It is not legal or tax advice. Tax laws change frequently, vary by location, and depend on your specific business situation. Consult a qualified accountant or tax professional for guidance on your obligations.
What sales tax is
Sales tax is a tax collected from customers at the point of sale on certain goods and services. As a business, you collect the tax from the customer, hold it, and then remit (pay) it to the relevant state or local tax authority on a schedule.
You do not keep the tax — it is the government's money, collected through you.
Nexus: the key concept
Nexus is the legal term for a connection between your business and a state that creates a sales tax obligation. If you have nexus in a state, you are generally required to:
- Register for a sales tax permit in that state
- Collect the correct tax from customers in that state
- File regular returns and remit the collected tax
Physical nexus
Traditionally, nexus was created by having a physical presence — an office, a warehouse, employees, or inventory in a state.
Economic nexus
Since the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision, most states have enacted economic nexus laws. These create an obligation based on sales volume alone — for example, more than $100,000 in sales to customers in a state in a calendar year, or more than 200 transactions.
This means an online business with no physical presence in a state can still be obligated to collect sales tax there.
Economic nexus thresholds vary by state
Each state sets its own thresholds and rules. Some states have no sales tax at all (Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Alaska). Others have very broad rules. An accountant who specializes in e-commerce sales tax can tell you exactly where you have obligations.
Product taxability
Not all products or services are taxed in all states. Common variations:
- Clothing may be exempt in some states
- Groceries and food items are often exempt or taxed at a lower rate
- Digital products (ebooks, software, SaaS) are treated differently in each state
- Services may or may not be taxable, depending on the state
This complexity is one reason sales tax automation tools exist.
Sales tax automation tools
Manually tracking tax rates across dozens of states is impractical. Several tools integrate with your store to automate calculation and reporting:
| Tool | Works with |
|---|---|
| Stripe Tax | Stripe-powered stores |
| TaxJar | WooCommerce, Shopify, and others |
| Avalara | Larger businesses, enterprise-level |
| WooCommerce Tax | WooCommerce (powered by Jetpack/Automattic) |
These tools look up the correct tax rate for each order based on the customer's location and your product type, apply it at checkout, and generate reports to help you file returns.
We can integrate a sales tax tool for you
If your store needs sales tax automation, we can set it up. Tell us your current situation — what states you sell in, your annual volume — and we will recommend the right tool and configure it.
How to register for sales tax
When you determine you have nexus in a state, you need to register before you start collecting tax. Registration is done through each state's department of revenue or equivalent authority. Most states have online registration.
Do not start collecting tax before you are registered — collecting without a permit can create its own compliance issues.
Common questions
Related guides
- How online payments work
- Stripe basics for business owners
- Payment fees explained
- How taxes work in WooCommerce
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