As e-commerce continues to grow, more and more businesses are selling their products online to customers across the country, if not globally. However, one critical aspect of running an online business that can often be confusing is understanding sales tax obligations. If you’re an e-commerce seller, you might wonder: Do I need to collect sales tax in every state? The short answer is no, but the answer depends on several factors including where your business has a connection (or nexus), the states you’re selling to, and whether you’re selling through online marketplaces.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through what sales tax nexus is, how it affects your e-commerce business, and what you need to know about collecting sales tax in different states.
What is Sales Tax Nexus?
Before diving into whether you need to collect sales tax in every state, it’s essential to understand sales tax nexus. Simply put, nexus is the connection between a business and a state that requires the business to collect sales tax.
Traditionally, businesses were required to collect sales tax in states where they had a physical presence, such as an office, warehouse, or employees. However, following the South Dakota v. Wayfair Inc. Supreme Court decision in 2018, states were given the authority to collect sales tax from remote sellers, even if the seller didn’t have a physical presence in the state. This ruling significantly changed how sales tax is applied to e-commerce businesses, leading to the introduction of economic nexus laws in many states.
What is Economic Nexus?
Economic nexus refers to the threshold of sales activity in a state that triggers a seller’s obligation to collect sales tax, even if the seller has no physical presence in that state. The Wayfair ruling allowed states to implement economic nexus laws, which are based on factors like gross sales revenue or the number of transactions a business conducts in a state.
For example, many states have set a threshold of $100,000 in sales or 200 separate transactions in a calendar year. Once a business surpasses this threshold, they are required to collect sales tax from customers in that state, even if they have no physical office, employees, or warehouse there.
State-by-State Sales Tax Rules
Now that we understand what nexus is, let’s discuss how it affects e-commerce sellers in practice. The rules surrounding sales tax vary widely from state to state, so it’s crucial for online sellers to know the specific requirements in each state where they do business.
Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Sales Tax Exemptions Vary by State: Some states, like Delaware, Oregon, and Montana, don’t have sales tax at all. If you’re selling to customers in these states, you don’t need to worry about collecting sales tax, regardless of how much you sell. On the other hand, states like California and New York have relatively high sales tax rates.
- Sales Tax Rates Differ: Even if two states have a sales tax, the rates may be vastly different. For example, California’s state sales tax rate is 7.25%, but local jurisdictions can tack on additional taxes, which can bring the rate up to 10.5% in some areas. On the other hand, states like Wyoming may have much lower rates.
- Thresholds and Compliance: As mentioned, many states have economic nexus laws, which are often triggered by sales volume or transaction numbers. If your sales exceed the threshold in any state, you must register for sales tax collection and begin collecting it from customers in that state. Some states also have a marketplace facilitator rule, meaning if you sell through a platform like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy, the marketplace will handle the tax collection for you.
Do You Need to Collect Sales Tax in Every State?
In theory, no, you don’t need to collect sales tax in every state. However, as we’ve seen, there are many nuances depending on where you’re selling. Here’s a breakdown of the factors that determine whether or not you need to collect sales tax in a given state:
1. Physical Nexus
If your business has a physical presence in a state—such as a warehouse, office, storefront, or employees—you are required to collect and remit sales tax in that state. This is the most straightforward type of nexus and one that most e-commerce sellers are familiar with.
2. Economic Nexus
Things become more complex with economic nexus. Even if you don’t have a physical presence in a state, you may still be required to collect sales tax if your revenue or transaction volume exceeds that state’s threshold.
For example, Washington requires sellers to collect sales tax if they generate $100,000 in sales within a year, whereas Texas has a higher threshold of $500,000. Each state sets its own thresholds, so it’s crucial to stay updated on these rules.
3. Click-Through and Affiliate Nexus
Some states enforce click-through nexus laws, meaning if you generate sales through referral links, online advertisements, or affiliate marketing programs in that state, you may be required to collect sales tax there.
For example, if an affiliate in New York promotes your products and drives traffic to your website, you could be responsible for collecting sales tax in New York, even if you don’t have a physical presence or meet economic nexus thresholds.
4. Sales Through Marketplaces
If you sell products through marketplace platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy, many states have marketplace facilitator laws, which require the platform to collect and remit sales tax on your behalf. This means that in these states, you won’t necessarily need a separate sales tax account or be responsible for collecting sales tax yourself.
However, this varies by state and platform, so it’s essential to check each marketplace’s policies and the states where you operate.
5. Exemptions and Special Cases
Certain products may be exempt from sales tax depending on the state. For instance:
- New York exempts clothing items under $110 from sales tax.
- California applies sales tax to most goods, but some grocery items and prescription medications are exempt.
Understanding these exemptions and tax nuances can help you avoid overcharging customers or misreporting taxes.
How Can You Keep Track of Sales Tax?
Managing sales tax for e-commerce sales can be complex, but there are tools and strategies you can use to stay on top of your obligations:
- Use Sales Tax Automation Software: RJM Tax Exemption can help automate the process of calculating, collecting, and remitting sales tax in multiple states. These platforms integrate with your e-commerce store and help ensure compliance with state-specific rules.
- Stay Updated on State Laws: Sales tax laws can change frequently, and new states may adopt economic nexus rules at any time. Staying informed about these changes is important so you can adjust your tax collection practices accordingly.
- Consult a Tax Professional: If you’re unsure about your sales tax obligations, it may be worth consulting a tax professional who can help guide you through the process and ensure your business stays compliant.
Conclusion
In summary, e-commerce sellers are not required to collect sales tax in every state. However, they must do so in states where they have nexus, whether through a physical presence, exceeding an economic threshold, click-through nexus, or affiliate relationships. Many states impose sales tax obligations on businesses that generate revenue through affiliates, referrals, or online advertisements, making it crucial to understand where your business may be liable.
By leveraging automation tools, staying updated on state tax laws, and consulting with a tax professional, you can simplify the complexities of sales tax compliance. Since each state has its own rules, staying informed is essential to avoid costly mistakes.
If you’re unsure about your sales tax obligations or need help managing compliance across multiple states, RJM Tax Exemption can provide expert guidance and tailored solutions. Contact us today to ensure your business remains compliant while maximizing savings and avoiding penalties.
