You need to set tax zones and rates for each country you ship to and are required to collect taxes for. Tax zones and rates can be set manually, or you can use Avalara to automate the process.
You can manually create tax zones and rates in native store.
To set up tax zones and rates:
-
Click Set up taxes.
-
Click +Add tax zone.
-
Select your country from the drop-down menu, and region if applicable.
-
Complete the Tax Name, Tax Number, and Tax Rate fields.
-
Tax name. The name that appears on your invoice.
-
Tax number. The number that appears on your invoice.
-
-
Click Save.
If you expand your customer base, you may need to update your tax rates or add another region to your tax zones.
To edit tax zones or rates:
-
Click Set up taxes.
-
Click the three horizontal dots () icon next to the tax zone you want to edit and select Edit Tax Rate.
-
Click Save after making your edits.
Taxes can be convoluted and confusing, but they don’t have to be, automate them with Avalara, our tax compliance partner. Their software, Avalara AvaTax, integrates seamlessly and offers a variety of benefits.
Here are some key benefits:
-
They stay up-to-date on tax rates so you don’t have to.
-
Tax rates are based on geolocation, item taxability, new legislation, tax regulations, and more.
-
They can calculate rates for a variety of tax types, including value-added tax (VAT), sales and use tax, consumer use tax, and more.
-
They offer global tax calculations and compliance for cross-border sales.
-
When required, taxes are calculated automatically for shipping.
-
Orders automatically sync in your Avalara account, this includes refunds (syncing can be disabled, see the Un-syncing Orders section for details).
For detailed information on Avalara and AvaTax, see Avalara Calculations.
Note
-
The automated taxes feature is available on the Advanced plan and higher.
-
Currently only available for the United States and Canada (additional countries coming soon).
-
Currently memberships will be taxed the default automated taxes based on sales tax nexus of the customer’s address.
-
Manual tax zones set up prior to switching to automated will be saved.
-
Google Pay and Apple Pay wallets are not supported due to a restriction in Avalara.
To configure automated taxes:
-
Click Set up taxes.
-
(Optional) If you are not on the advanced plan or higher, click on the Upgrade to automate tax button. From here you will be prompted to upgrade your plan.
-
Click Get started.
-
Fill out the form to create an Avalara account. If you already have an Avalara account, click Log in.
-
After logging in or creating an Avalara account, in your store, on the tax screen, click Add or Manage Taxes. This will take you to your Avalara account in a new window or tab. For detailed information on setting up taxes in Avalara, see AvaTax.
-
Once regions are set in Avalara, they will appear on the tax screen as read only in Store Management. Any changes you would like to make to your taxes will also be done through your Avalara account.
Note
Changes to tax regions will be implemented on the live store upon saving in Avalara (republishing is not needed).
Unless manually changed, all orders will sync with Avalara (this includes refunded orders). In Avalara there are also statuses, some of which will be specific to just Avalara. For a full list of statuses, see Avalara’s Transaction statuses page.
You can also switch back to manual taxes. This will disconnect your Avalara account and result in various implications.
The implications are:
-
Future purchases will not be reported in Avalara.
-
Refunds will not be reflected in Avalara, this includes refunds processed for purchases made while automated taxes were on.
-
Tax regions set up with automated taxes will no longer be available in the store when using manual taxes (you will need to set up manual taxes).
-
Taxes will no longer be auto calculated at checkout for your customers (you need to set up manual taxes).
Note
Switching to manual taxes will not affect your store plan or its included features.
To switch to manual taxes:
-
Click Set up taxes.
-
Click the three horizontal dots () next to Add or Manage Taxes.
-
Click Switch to manual taxes.
-
Manual taxes will now be active, including any tax zones that were set up prior to switching to automated taxes.
You can enable taxes to be included in the product price. This feature allows merchants to comply with regional tax laws that require taxes to be included in product price. It is important to note that merchants are solely responsible for understanding and complying with tax obligations under applicable laws. We do not provide tax advice and disclaim liability for any tax-related inaccuracy and recommend that merchants seek professional advice.
The price including taxes is displayed on the product page, Product Gallery widget, checkout page, and in order confirmation emails. On the product page, there will be a note that total product price might change due to the buyer’s shipping location.
Note
-
This setting is only available for manual taxes. If you enable Avalara after enabling taxes included in product price, you will receive a message that your tax settings will be changed to taxes added at checkout.
-
This setting is enabled for your store as a whole. It currently cannot be enabled per shipping zone.
-
If shoppers use a discount, the discount is applied to the base price of the product, not the included tax.
To include taxes in product price:
-
In the side panel, click Sell Online, then click Manage Products.
-
Click Taxes.
-
If you have not already set up tax zones, you need to set up at least one.
-
If you have more than one tax zone, you need to set one as the default. The default tax rate will be the rate included in product price. To set a tax zone and rate as default, click the three dot icon next to the desired zone and select Set as default tax rate. This can be changed at any time.
-
Scroll down to the Tax Settings section and select Include tax to Product Price.
On the checkout page, the shopper will see the product price, taxes, and shipping listed separately. If the shopper is in a zone where there is no tax, there will not be any applied tax. If during checkout, the shopper changes their address to one in a different zone, their taxes will be recalculated.