International, Scaling & Advanced Scenarios

Can a compliance platform handle both B2B wholesale and D2C simultaneously?

Yes, modern sales tax compliance platforms handle both B2B wholesale (with exemption certificate management) and D2C simultaneously. The key requirement is that the platform can correctly apply exemptions when a valid certificate is on file and charge tax when it isn't, across all channels. The operational challenge is certificate management, not calculation.

Do I still owe US sales tax on orders shipped internationally?

Orders shipped to international addresses (outside the US) are generally not subject to US sales tax. US sales tax applies to sales with a destination in a US state: the ship-to address determines nexus and taxability. Sales shipped to Canada, Europe, or other countries are exempt from US sales tax.

Does my US business need to collect Canadian GST/HST/PST?

US businesses selling to Canadian customers may need to register for and collect Canadian GST/HST if sales to Canada exceed CAD $30,000. Provincial sales tax (PST or QST) adds additional registration obligations in BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec. Canada's system is more complex than it appears.

How do I handle VAT for EU customers as a US ecommerce seller?

US ecommerce sellers shipping goods to EU customers must collect VAT on orders under €150 (the EU's low-value import threshold). Above €150, VAT is typically collected at customs. The EU's OSS (One-Stop Shop) program simplifies VAT compliance for remote sellers. Non-compliance creates customs clearance issues and audit risk in EU member states.

How do I manage compliance across 30–45 states as a scaling brand?

Managing sales tax compliance across 30–45 states requires automated calculation, AutoFile enrollment in all states, a defined process for new state registration as nexus thresholds are crossed, and quarterly nexus monitoring. Manual management at this scale is not sustainable. A dedicated compliance software platform is essential.

How do I reconcile Amazon 1099-K data with my state sales tax filings?

Amazon's 1099-K reports gross payment volume, which differs from what you should report on state sales tax returns. Amazon collects and remits state sales tax on marketplace-facilitated sales, so those gross proceeds shouldn't appear as taxable sales on your own state returns. Reconciling 1099-K data to state filings requires understanding what Amazon collected vs. what you collected directly.

How do multi-system setups (Shopify + ERP, Magento + Odoo) affect sales tax and order deduplication?

Brands running orders through multiple systems (Shopify + Odoo, Magento + NetSuite) risk duplicate transaction reporting if both systems send order data to the compliance platform. Tax engines that receive the same order from two sources may double-count transactions, resulting in over-reporting and over-remittance. A clear data flow with a single system of record is essential.

Should I outsource sales tax compliance or build an in-house function?

Most ecommerce brands below $50M in revenue should use a managed compliance platform rather than building an in-house function. The exception is brands with unusual complexity (heavy B2B, multi-jurisdiction brick-and-mortar, M&A activity) that benefit from dedicated internal SALT expertise. The right answer is usually a hybrid: software for automation plus a SALT advisor on retainer.

What are the sales tax implications of acquiring another ecommerce brand?

Acquiring an ecommerce brand means assuming or evaluating its historical sales tax exposure. Key diligence areas: whether the target has been collecting in all nexus states, the quality of historical returns, exemption certificate compliance, and whether any states are currently in audit. Unresolved exposure becomes the buyer's problem in an asset deal unless properly structured.

What does sales tax compliance actually cost a $5M–$20M ecommerce brand?

Sales tax compliance costs for a $5M–$20M ecommerce brand typically run $8,000–$40,000 per year in software and filing fees, plus internal staff time. The total cost of compliance (software, filing, staff, audit defense) is almost always lower than the cost of non-compliance, which includes back taxes, penalties, interest, and legal fees.

What if I sell through multiple channels — Shopify, Amazon, and my own website?

Multi-channel sellers need to aggregate sales from all channels when assessing economic nexus thresholds and must report all taxable sales on state returns. Marketplace-collected sales (Amazon) are excluded from the seller's direct collection obligation but must still be considered for nexus threshold calculations in most states.

What is an international seller's US sales tax obligation?

International sellers shipping goods to US customers are subject to the same economic nexus rules as US-based sellers. Foreign location does not exempt a seller from US state sales tax. Sellers based in Canada, Europe, or elsewhere who meet a state's economic nexus threshold must register and collect just like domestic sellers.

What is the difference between US sales tax, EU VAT, and Canadian GST?

US sales tax, EU VAT, and Canadian GST/HST all tax consumption but work differently. VAT is collected at every stage of the supply chain (with credits) and remitted to a central authority. US sales tax is collected only at the final sale by the retailer, administered by 45 states independently. Canadian GST is a federal VAT with additional provincial layers.