Is SaaS taxable in the US? - Sales tax by state

The taxability of Software as a Service (SaaS) in the United States is a nuanced issue that hinges on the specific tax regulations of each state.

Is SaaS taxable in the US?

Generally, SaaS is a model where software is hosted remotely and accessed via the internet, which falls into a gray area between tangible goods and services for tax purposes.

There is no uniform federal tax on SaaS; instead, each state determines whether to apply sales tax to SaaS transactions. Some states have ruled that SaaS is a taxable service because it involves access to a digital product. Other states treat SaaS as a nontaxable service because there is no transfer of tangible personal property.

For instance, New York taxes SaaS as it considers it a sale of tangible personal property, while California does not generally tax SaaS because it's deemed a service. The complexity grows as some states may only tax SaaS if the customer has a physical presence in the state, or they may apply different tax rates depending on whether the SaaS is for business use or personal use.

Businesses offering SaaS must stay informed about the varying legislation in each state where they have customers. They often need to use specialized software or consult with tax professionals to ensure compliance with the diverse and changing sales tax laws across the country.

Understanding the concept of nexus is essential for SaaS providers that doesn’t used automated billing, as it determines where they are obligated to collect and remit sales.

Criteria for establishing sales tax nexus

In the context of U.S. sales tax, a "nexus" refers to a business's sufficient physical or economic presence within a state that requires the business to comply with that state's tax laws, including collecting and remitting sales tax on sales made to customers in that state.

• Physical presence: Traditionally, having a physical location, employees, inventory, or property in a state creates a physical nexus.
• Economic nexus: Many states have adopted economic nexus thresholds, typically based on sales revenue or transaction volume within the state (e.g., $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions annually).
• Affiliate nexus: If you have affiliates in a state that help generate sales, this can create nexus.
• Click-Through nexus: Some states establish nexus if a business has agreements with in-state entities or websites that refer customers for a commission.
• Marketplace nexus: Selling through online marketplaces can establish nexus if the marketplace doesn't collect sales tax on your behalf.

Trade shows and temporary physical presence: Attending trade shows or having temporary physical presence in a state can sometimes establish nexus.

SaaS product and services taxability

State-Specific Rules: Each state determines if SaaS is taxable. Some tax all SaaS, others tax B2B or B2C differently, and some don't tax SaaS at all.

B2B vs. B2C: The customer type can affect taxability. Some states tax SaaS sold to consumers but not to businesses, or vice versa.

Exemptions: Certain buyers, such as non-profit organizations or resellers, may be exempt from sales tax on SaaS.

Bundled services: If SaaS is bundled with other goods or services, the taxability of the entire bundle may be affected.

Software updates and support: Whether these are included as part of the SaaS subscription or billed separately can influence taxability.

Location of user access: The tax rate and taxability may depend on where the customer's users are located, not just the billing address.

How to know if I use the right taxes for SaaS?

Here is an easy way to see which state is SaaS taxable:

To ensure you are charging the correct taxes for SaaS, follow these simplified steps:

Identify nexus: Determine where you have a tax collection obligation, which could be any state where you have a significant presence or sales volume.

Check state regulations: Look up the tax rules for each state where you have nexus to see if SaaS is taxable there.

Classify your service: Determine if your SaaS offering is considered taxable in those states. Some states may have different rules for B2B versus B2C transactions.

Calculate the Tax: Use the correct tax rates for each location where your customers are based. This could include state, county, and city taxes.

Document Exemptions: If you sell to tax-exempt organizations or resellers, keep their exemption certificates on file.

Stay updated: Tax laws can change, so regularly review state regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.

Bonus for avoiding all those steps:

There is a way easier solution to find out the taxes in each state. Use Recurring billing solutions.

Implement a recurring billing solution that automates tax calculations and application for each invoice, so you don't have to think about it. This tool should be up-to-date with the latest tax rates and rules, ensuring that you charge the right amount every time without manual intervention.

Summary of the state SaaS Sales Tax rules 2025 :

States where SaaS is taxable:

1. Alabama - SaaS is a taxable service.
2. Alaska - SaaS is taxable.
3. Arizona - SaaS is taxable.
4. Connecticut - Taxed at full state rate for personal use; 1% for business use.
5. Hawaii - SaaS is taxable under general excise tax.
6. Kentucky - SaaS is taxable as of January 1, 2023.
7. Louisiana - SaaS is taxable.
8. Massachusetts - SaaS and cloud computing are taxable.
9. New Mexico - SaaS is taxable.
10. New York - SaaS is taxable.
11. Ohio - Taxable for business use; non-taxable for personal use.
12. Pennsylvania - SaaS is taxable.
13. Rhode Island - SaaS is taxable.
14. South Carolina - SaaS is a taxable service.
15. South Dakota - SaaS is a taxable service.
16. Tennessee - SaaS is taxable.
17. Texas - 80% taxable (data processing service).
18. Utah - SaaS is taxable.
19. Vermont - SaaS taxable as of July 1, 2024.
20. Washington - All software is considered taxable.
21. Washington D.C. - SaaS is a taxable service.
22. West Virginia - SaaS is a taxable service.

States where SaaS is non-taxable:

1. Arkansas - SaaS is non-taxable.
2. California - SaaS is non-taxable.
3. Colorado - SaaS is non-taxable.
4. Florida - SaaS is non-taxable.
5. Georgia - SaaS is non-taxable.
6. Idaho - SaaS is non-taxable.
7. Illinois - SaaS is non-taxable.
8. Indiana - SaaS is non-taxable.
9. Iowa - Taxable unless used for business purposes.
10. Kansas - SaaS is non-taxable.
11. Maine - SaaS is non-taxable.
12. Maryland - Non-taxable for business purposes as of July 1, 2022.
13. Michigan - Non-taxable unless there is a downloadable component.
14. Minnesota - SaaS is non-taxable.
15. Mississippi - SaaS is non-taxable.
16. Missouri - SaaS is non-taxable.
17. Nebraska - SaaS is non-taxable.
18. Nevada - SaaS is non-taxable.
19. New Jersey - SaaS is non-taxable.
20. North Carolina - SaaS is non-taxable.
21. North Dakota - SaaS is non-taxable.
22. Oklahoma - SaaS is non-taxable.
23. Virginia - SaaS is non-taxable.
24. Wisconsin - SaaS is non-taxable.
25. Wyoming - SaaS is non-taxable.

SaaS Sales tax checklist

Here is everything you need to make sure of:

• Check state laws for SaaS taxability and list taxable/non-taxable states.
• Collect accurate billing addresses and assess nexus.
• Research applicable sales tax rates and monitor for changes.
• Itemize sales tax on invoices and collect exemption certificates if needed.
• Register for sales tax permits, file returns on time, and maintain records for audits.

Or:

• Use quote to cash software, managing sales tax, automation and compliance.

How to automate SaaS tax billing?

Automating SaaS tax billing with a platform like Hyperline can transform the way a business manages its finances, especially when it comes to the complexity of handling taxes. Imagine a SaaS company that provides digital marketing tools and has a diverse customer base spread across multiple countries, each with unique tax regulations.

Manually calculating the correct tax for each customer would be a Herculean task, prone to errors and inefficiencies.

This is where Hyperline steps in.

It streamlines the entire tax billing process by automatically determining the appropriate taxes for each invoice. For instance, when a customer from Germany subscribes to a premium plan, Hyperline calculates the VAT applicable for that region and includes it in the billing, without any manual intervention from the business owner. Similarly, for a customer in New York, it would apply the state's sales tax automatically.

Moreover, as tax laws are updated or as the company expands into new markets, Hyperline's system can adapt to these changes, ensuring that the business remains compliant with minimal effort. This not only reduces the risk of costly legal mistakes but also frees up valuable time for the business to focus on growth and development.

In essence, by automating SaaS tax billing through Hyperline, a business can ensure accuracy in its financial transactions, maintain compliance with ever-changing tax laws, and enhance overall operational efficiency.

This is not just about simplifying a complex task; it's about empowering businesses to scale confidently while keeping their customers satisfied with transparent and accurate billing.

Q&A about SaaS Taxable in the US

What is economic nexus?

Economic nexus refers to a tax obligation that arises when a business has a significant economic presence in a state, even without a physical presence. This can occur through sales volume, transaction frequency, or other economic activities.

What are the tax thresholds?

Tax thresholds vary by state but typically involve criteria such as:

A specific dollar amount of sales (e.g., $100,000).A certain number of transactions (e.g., 200 transactions). These thresholds determine when a business must collect and remit sales tax in that state.

How to fill sales tax returns when you don’t have an automated process?

You need 10 steps to complete the process:

1. Collect sales records, tax collected, and exemption certificates for the reporting period.
2. Identify the correct sales tax return form for your state (e.g., monthly, quarterly, or annual).
3. Enter the total sales amount for the reporting period, including taxable and non-taxable sales.
4. Specify the amount of taxable sales and any deductions for exempt sales.
5. Multiply taxable sales by the applicable sales tax rate to determine the total sales tax due.
6. Include any sales tax credits or overpayments from previous periods.
7. Fill in all required fields, ensuring accuracy in calculations and reporting.
8. Double-check all entries for accuracy, then sign and date the return.
9. File the return by the due date, either electronically or by mail, as required by your state.
10. Retain a copy of the filed return and supporting documents for your records.

Or, you can get an automated billing system, like Hyperline, and you’ll never ask yourself again “Is SaaS taxable in the US, and how?