When do I need to register for US sales tax?
Last updated: 2026-08-02·Verified: 2026-08-02
📋 Direct Answer
You need to register for US sales tax when you establish nexus in a state. This happens when: (1) you have physical presence (FBA warehouse, office, employees), or (2) you exceed economic nexus thresholds ($100K sales or 200 transactions in most states). Register BEFORE you exceed thresholds — states can audit retroactively. Registration is per-state. Cost: free registration, but you'll need sales tax software ($20-100/month) to manage multi-state filing.
Item by Item
RequiredState RegistrationFree1-2 weeks per state
- 1Determine which states have nexus
- 2Register with each state's Department of Revenue
- 3Set up sales tax accounts and filing schedules
RecommendedSales Tax Software$20-100/month1-2 weeks
- 1Use tax automation software (TaxJar, Avalara, etc.)
- 2Automate tax rate calculation and filing
- 3Integrate with your e-commerce platform
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- • Multi-State Tax Commission
- • Individual state DOR websites
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Consult a professional for your specific situation.