What is sales tax?

Sales tax can affect the final amount you pay at checkout, depending on where your order ships. In the US, sales tax is managed at the state and local levels, so rules and rates can vary. Here’s how it works and when it applies.

Sales tax is a consumption tax added to most retail purchases. It’s calculated as a percentage of the product price and included in the final cost at checkout.

When sales tax applies

Your order may be subject to sales tax when it ships within the US or when it is imported into the US.

How sales tax works

• The seller collects the tax at checkout.
• The tax is then sent to the appropriate state authority.
• Since sales tax is regulated at the state level, regulations can vary from one state to another.

If you'd like to learn more about sales tax in different situations, explore related articles in the Sales tax section in Printify Help Center.