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Sales Tax by State: Economic Nexus State Guide
If you sell products or services online, you’re likely familiar with the term Economic Nexus.
And if not – don’t worry, “economic nexus” is essentially just a fancy way of saying that:
A business must have a presence in a state in order to collect sales tax there.
What Is an Economic Nexus?
The term was first defined after the Quill v. North Dakota supreme court case but was overturned after the supreme court ruling in the South Dakota vs. Wayfair court case.
So now, a business must have a significant economic presence in a state to collect sales tax.
That means, they do not necessarily have to have a physical presence there. They just need to make a certain amount of money from customers in that state to have a significant “economic presence”.
While it may sound straightforward, it isn’t always. The latter court ruling now means that every state can create its own thresholds for what economic nexus is.
While one state may say that you only need to make $10,000 in sales in their state to have economic nexus, another may set theirs at $500,000, and another may not have one.
And it’s equally important for business owners to understand how to fill out the Uniform Sales & Use Tax Resale Certificate.
So how are you supposed to know? We’ve laid everything out in the list below, so make sure you bookmark this page!
To find a specific state, just press Ctrl/Command + F and type in the state you need.
(All information is correct as of November 2024)
Economic Nexus State Guide
Alabama
If you’re planning to form your LLC in Alabama, understanding the state’s economic nexus rules is a must to stay on top of your tax obligations.
Threshold | Measured From |
$250,000 + some specified activities | Previous calendar year |
Includable Sales: All retail sales, not including Marketplace sales.
When To Register: By January 1 of the year after you reach the threshold.
Alaska
Thinking about starting your LLC in Alaska? Get familiar with the state’s economic nexus rules to stay compliant.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, not including Marketplace sales.
When To Register: The first day of the month after 30 days of being adopted by a city or borough.
Arizona
Before you form your LLC in Arizona, make sure you’re clear on its tax obligations.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, not including Marketplace sales.
When To Register: When you meet the threshold you must obtain a TPT license.
Arkansas
If you’re planning to create your LLC in Arkansas, understanding the state’s economic nexus rules is the first big step.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Taxable sales, not including Marketplace sales.
When To Register: The next transaction (so as soon as possible).
California
Thinking of launching your LLC in California? Take stock of the state’s economic nexus information first.
Threshold | Measured From |
$500,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales of tangible personal property, including Marketplace sales.
When To Register: The same day you exceed the threshold.
Colorado
Business owners looking to form an LLC in Colorado should get familiar with the state’s economic nexus rules.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Retail sales, not including Marketplace sales.
When To Register: Within 90 days.
Connecticut
About to start your LLC in Connecticut? Here’s what you need to know about economic nexus and taxes.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 and 200 transactions | 12 month period to 30 September |
Includable Sales: Retail sales, including Marketplace sales.
When To Register: By October 1 of the year you cross the threshold.
Delaware
Before you form your LLC in Delaware, let’s simplify the state’s economic nexus guidelines.
Threshold | Measured From |
No sales tax | N/A |
Includable Sales: N/A
When To Register: N/A
District of Columbia
Here are the state economic nexus guidelines for the District of Columbia.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Retail sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Next transaction
Florida
If you’re looking to start an LLC in Florida, consider the following economic nexus rules to ensure compliance.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous calendar year |
Includable Sales: Taxable sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Next transaction
Georgia
Small business owners eyeing Georgia for LLC formation need to stay informed of the following guidelines:
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Retail sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Next transaction
Hawaii
Before you form your LLC in Hawaii, make sure you’re clear on its tax obligations.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: The month following when you meet the threshold
Idaho
Looking to start an LLC in Idaho? Prioritize the tax and compliance aspects first.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Next transaction
Illinois
Are you launching an LLC in Illinois? Understanding economic nexus is your first big step toward compliance.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | 12-month preceding period |
Includable Sales: Retail sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: When you believe you meet the criteria for the past 12 months
Indiana
Starting an LLC in Indiana? Economic nexus regulations are your roadmap to accurate tax filing.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: As soon as possible
Iowa
Here’s what you need to consider before planning to launch your LLC in Iowa.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Within 30 days
Kansas
Setting up an LLC in Kansas? Make sure you’re aware of the latest economic nexus regulations first.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales (latter is gross sales)
When To Register: Next transaction
Kentucky
If you’re a small business owner thinking of forming an LLC in Kentucky, now’s the time to learn everything about the economic nexus regulations in the state.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Within 60 days
Louisiana
Starting an LLC in Louisiana gets easier if you stay current with the latest regulations.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Within 30 days
Maine
Launching an LLC in Maine? Here’s what you need to know first.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Next transaction
Maryland
If you’re planning to form your LLC in Maryland, understanding the state’s economic nexus rules is a must to stay on top of your tax obligations.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: First day of next month
Massachusetts
Thinking of launching your LLC in Massachusetts? Ensure compliance as you get started.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: By 1 January of the following year, though you have an additional 2 months if you exceed it between November and December
Minnesota
Before forming your LLC in Minnesota, consider the following compliance aspects:
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | 12-month period ending ending on the last day of the previous quarter |
Includable Sales: Retail sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Within 60 days
Mississippi
Are you launching an LLC in Mississippi? Understanding economic nexus is your first big step toward compliance.
Threshold | Measured From |
$250,000 | Previous 12 month period |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: As soon as possible
Missouri
If you’re interested in starting an LLC in Missouri, let’s get you started with the basics of economic nexus and regulations.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous 12 month period |
Includable Sales: Taxable sales
When To Register: Within 90 days of the preceding quarter ending
Montana
LLC formation in Montana is relatively simpler and here’s what you should know:
Threshold | Measured From |
No sales tax | N/A |
Includable Sales: n/a
When To Register: n/a
Nebraska
Want to launch an LLC in Nebraska? Understanding economic nexus is your first big step.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Retail sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: By the end of the calendar month
Nevada
Get started with an LLC in Nevada today and learn more about the state’s regulations.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Retail sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: within 30 days
New Hampshire
If you want to form an LLC in New Hampshire, here’s what you should know.
Threshold | Measured From |
No sales tax | N/A |
Includable Sales: N/A
When To Register: N/A
New Jersey
Setting up an LLC in New Jersey? Make sure you’re aware of the latest economic nexus regulations from day one.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: As soon as possible
New Mexico
Forming an LLC in New Mexico gets convenient if you’re compliant from the beginning.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous calendar year |
Includable Sales: Taxable sales, not including Marketplace sales.
When To Register: By January 1st of following year.
New York
If you want to form an LLC in New York, here’s what you should know first.
Threshold | Measured From |
$500,000 of tangible personal goods and 100 transactions | 12 months previous |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Register within 30 days, start collecting tax within 20 days thereafter
North Carolina
Small business owners eyeing North Carolina for LLC formation should know the following:
Threshold | Measured From |
$500,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Within 60 days
North Dakota
Simplify your North Dakota LLC formation with a clear overview of the state’s economic nexus regulations.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Taxable sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Within 60 days or the end of the calendar year
Ohio
Looking to form an LLC in Ohio? Get started right here.
Threshold | Measured From |
$500,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Retail sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: As soon as possible
Oklahoma
Setting up an LLC in Oklahoma? Stay informed about the state’s economic nexus rules.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 in aggregate sales of TPP | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Taxable sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: By the first of the following month
Oregon
Thinking about starting your LLC in Oregon? Get familiar with the state’s economic nexus rules to stay compliant.
Threshold | Measured From |
No sales tax | N/A |
Includable Sales: n/a
When To Register: n/a
Pennsylvania
Building an LLC in Pennsylvania? Don’t overlook the state’s crucial tax rules.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous financial year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: By April 1 of following year
Rhode Island
Starting an LLC in Rhode Island? Tax compliance begins with understanding nexus rules.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous financial year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: By January 1 of following year
South Carolina
LLC formation in South Carolina comes with responsibilities—economic nexus is one of them.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Within 30 days
South Dakota
Looking to form an LLC in South Dakota? Get started right here.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: As soon as possible
Tennessee
Ready to set up your LLC in Tennessee? Your tax preparation starts with economic nexus.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous 12 month period |
Includable Sales: Retail sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Within 90 days
Texas
Looking to form an LLC in Texas? Get started right here.
Threshold | Measured From |
$500,000 | Previous 12 month period |
Includable Sales: Gross revenue, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Within 120 days
Utah
Planning your LLC in Utah? Let’s make sense of the state’s tax requirements.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: As soon as possible
Vermont
LLC formation in Vermont comes with responsibilities—economic nexus is one of them.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous 12 month period |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Within 30 days of the end of the quarter you exceed the threshold
Virginia
Planning your LLC in Virginia? Let’s make sense of the state’s tax requirements.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Retail sales, not including Marketplace sales
When To Register: As soon as possible
Washington
Launching an LLC in Washington? Tackling tax rules early ensures smooth operations down the line.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: Within 30 days
West Virginia
If you want to form an LLC in West Virginia, here’s what you should know first.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales
When To Register: As soon as possible
Wisconsin
Have you been eyeing Wisconsin for LLC formation? The state’s economic nexus regulations are essential for tax compliance.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, including Marketplace sales (not for individual sellers)
When To Register: As soon as possible
Wyoming
Launching an LLC in Washington? Here’s what you should know first.
Threshold | Measured From |
$100,000 or 200 transactions | Previous or current calendar year |
Includable Sales: Gross sales, not including Marketplace sales for individual sellers
When To Register: As soon as possible
What Are the Different Types of Sales Tax Nexus?
Sales tax nexus refers to the connection between a business and a state that creates an obligation to collect and remit sales tax. Here’s a breakdown of the main types:
1. Physical Nexus
This applies when a business has a physical presence in a state—like a store, office, warehouse, or employees.
For example, if your business stores inventory in a state’s warehouse, you’re likely required to collect sales tax there.
2. Economic Nexus
Economic nexus results from significant economic activity in a state, even without a physical presence.
Post the South Dakota v. Wayfair decision, states enforce thresholds like $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions annually to meet tax obligations.
3. Affiliate Nexus
If your business has an affiliate or subsidiary operating in a state—sharing ownership or branding—you may need to collect sales tax under affiliate nexus rules.
4. Click-Through Nexus
This applies when a business pays commissions to third-party referrers, like websites or influencers, within a state. If these agents have a physical presence there, it establishes a nexus.
Understanding these nexus types ensures compliance and smooth business operations across states.
Which US States do not Have Sales Tax?
Five states in the US, known as the NOMAD states, do not impose a statewide sales tax. These states are:
- Alaska
- Delaware
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- Oregon
📌 Note:
While these states don’t have comprehensive sales tax, specific transactions may still be taxed.
For instance, some NOMAD states have local sales taxes or apply taxes on particular goods or services, such as alcohol or fuel.
What is the Impact of Sales Tax Nexus on Businesses?
Sales tax nexus can significantly affect businesses, particularly in states or jurisdictions with varying requirements.
The key areas impacted include:
1. Compliance Costs:
Businesses with nexus in multiple states must navigate registrations, collect and remit taxes, file returns, and maintain accurate records. These administrative tasks can drive up operational costs.
2. Penalties and Interest:
Non-compliance can result in steep penalties and interest on late or incorrect filings, leading to financial strain.
3. Competitive Limitations:
Non-compliant businesses may struggle to compete with tax-compliant peers who have a clear understanding of costs across jurisdictions.
4. Reputational Risks:
Tax compliance issues can damage a company’s reputation, repelling customers and inviting negative attention or legal challenges.
Understanding and managing sales tax nexus is essential to avoid these challenges and maintain operational efficiency.
📌 Note:
To get started, it is important for you to understand how to fill out the Streamlined Sales Tax Certificate of Exemption.
How to Comply With Sales Tax Rules and Regulations
If you’ve confirmed nexus in a state, follow these simple steps to stay compliant:
1. Register for a Sales Tax Permit
Apply for each state’s sales tax permit individually. Use resources like state tax registration guides or visit the Department of Revenue’s website for instructions.
For streamlined states, simplify the process with the Streamlined Sales Tax Registration System (SSTRS)—a free online tool covering 24 states at once.
2. Charge the Appropriate Sales Tax
Sales tax rates depend on customer location (destination-based tax) or your business location (origin-based tax, used in a few states).
The rate often includes state, county, district, and city taxes, so ensure you calculate accurately based on what you’re selling and where your customers are located.
3. File Sales Tax Returns
Always file returns based on your assigned frequency—monthly, quarterly, or annually—determined during registration.
Larger businesses typically file more frequently. Use state-specific filing guides to streamline the process.
📌 Note:
Always monitor local policies in states where you don’t collect taxes to ensure timely registration if sales activity triggers nexus. Stay proactive to avoid penalties!
Get Started With doola
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