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Sales Tax Across State Lines: A Guide to Multi-state Compliance

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Fulfilling sales tax obligations can be complex, especially for businesses selling across state lines. With each state having its own tax rules and thresholds, understanding where and when you need to collect and remit sales tax shouldn’t be overlooked.

January 30, 2025
Author: NCH

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With the rise of e-commerce and remote sales, companies often find themselves liable for collecting and remitting sales tax in multiple states. However, understanding where and when to collect sales tax can be challenging, especially with varying state laws and evolving regulations. 

Each state has rules governing when and how businesses must collect and remit sales tax, often based on a concept called economic nexus. This guide will explain economic nexus, how it is established, and outline each state’s sales tax nexus rules.

What Is an Economic Nexus?

An economic nexus refers to a business’s obligation to collect and remit sales tax in a state, even if the business has no physical presence there. Traditionally, sales tax was only required if the business had a physical location, employees, or inventory in a state. However, after the 2018 Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., states can now impose sales tax collection responsibilities on out-of-state sellers based on their economic activity.

Economic nexus laws vary by state but usually involve:

  • Sales Thresholds – A minimum sales revenue generated in the state.
  • Transaction Thresholds – A minimum number of transactions with customers in the state.

If a business exceeds either threshold, it must register for a sales tax permit and start collecting sales tax from customers in that state.

How Is an Economic Nexus Established?

Businesses establish economic nexus in a state when their sales exceed the state’s economic threshold. The most common criteria include:

  1. Revenue-Based Nexus – Businesses must collect sales tax if their total sales revenue in the state exceeds a specific amount, such as $100,000.
  2. Transaction-Based Nexus – A business that completes a certain number of sales (often 200 or more) in a state must collect and remit sales tax, even if the total revenue is below the dollar threshold.
  3. Hybrid Models – Some states use a combination of revenue and transaction thresholds, requiring businesses to meet only one of the criteria to establish a nexus.

To determine if they have an economic nexus, businesses should:

  • Regularly review sales data by state.
  • Keep track of total revenue and transaction counts.
  • Monitor changes in state sales tax laws.

State-By-State Sales Tax Nexus Thresholds

State

Sales Threshold

Transaction Threshold

Alabama

$250,000

None

Alaska* 

Varies by jurisdiction

Varies by jurisdiction

Arizona

$100,000

None

Arkansas

$100,000

200 transactions

California

$500,000

None

Colorado

$100,000

None

Connecticut

$100,000

200 transactions

Delaware**

No nexus laws

No nexus laws

Florida

$100,000

None

Georgia

$100,000

200 transactions

Hawaii

$100,000

200 transactions

Idaho

$100,000

None

Illinois

$100,000

200 transactions

Indiana

$100,000

200 transactions

Iowa

$100,000

None

Kansas

$100,000

None

Kentucky

$100,000

200 transactions

Louisiana

$100,000

200 transactions

Maine

$100,000

200 transactions

Maryland

$100,000

200 transactions

Massachusetts

$100,000

None

Michigan

$100,000

200 transactions

Minnesota

$100,000

200 transactions

Mississippi

$250,000

None

Missouri

$100,000

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None

Montana**

No nexus laws

No nexus laws

Nebraska

$100,000

200 transactions

Nevada

$100,000

200 transactions

New Hampshire**

No nexus laws

No nexus laws

New Jersey

$100,000

200 transactions

New Mexico

$100,000

None

New York

$500,000

100 transactions

North Carolina

$100,000

200 transactions

North Dakota

$100,000

None

Ohio

$100,000

200 transactions

Oklahoma

$100,000

None

Oregon**

No nexus laws

No nexus laws

Pennsylvania

$100,000

None

Rhode Island

$100,000

200 transactions

South Carolina

$100,000

None

South Dakota

$100,000

200 transactions

Tennessee

$100,000

None

Texas

$500,000

None

Utah

$100,000

200 transactions

Vermont

$100,000

200 transactions

Virginia

$100,000

200 transactions

Washington

$100,000

None

West Virginia

$100,000

200 transactions

Wisconsin

$100,000

200 transactions

Wyoming

$100,000

200 transactions

*No sales tax.

**Local sales tax applies.

How to Stay Compliant With Sales Tax Laws

To ensure compliance with sales tax laws across state lines, businesses should:

  1. Track Sales Regularly – Monitor sales and transactions in each state to determine if thresholds are met.
  2. Register for a Sales Tax Permit – Register with the state’s tax authority once an economic nexus is established.
  3. Collect the Correct Sales Tax Rate – Tax rates vary by state and locality, so businesses should use automated tools or software to collect them.
  4. File and Remit Sales Tax on Time – States have different filing deadlines, so businesses must stay organized to avoid penalties.
  5. Use Tax Compliance Software – Tools like Avalara, TaxJar, and Vertex help automate sales tax collection and reporting.

The Bottom Line

Managing sales tax across state lines requires careful planning and compliance with state-specific nexus laws. By staying informed and using automation tools, businesses can remain compliant and avoid costly penalties. Regularly reviewing sales data and state tax requirements will ensure smooth operations in multiple jurisdictions.

Stay Compliant with NCH

If you are looking for expert guidance on business compliance, tax strategies, and entity formation, NCH can help. Our team specializes in navigating complex tax laws, ensuring your business remains compliant across multiple states. With decades of experience assisting businesses across industries, we’ll ensure you stay compliant while focusing on growth.

Call 1-800-508-1729 to protect your business from unnecessary risks!

DISCLAIMER: The above material has been prepared for informational purposes only, containing opinions of the provider and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consider consulting tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

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