Can I charge Taxes for non-food Items when people buy goods on my website?

Question

I just started and registered my business with the Massachusetts department of Revenue. Here in Massachusetts, non-food items are taxed 5%. Can I charge this tax for goods when people buy items on my website? Even if they are not from Massachusetts?

Answer 1

I would think you would HAVE to!

just post the tax warning. there may be other states you'll have to collect taxes for as well. look that up.

Answer 2

If Massachusetts is like most other states the answer is no.

You only charge sales tax on taxable goods that are shipped to an address in the state.  

If you have a physical presence (for example, an office, warehouse or plant) in another state you will have to charge that state's sales tax on goods shipped into that state.

In most cases when you ship to a state where you are not authorized to collect sales tax it is the responsibility of the customer to report their purchases to their state of residence and pay a "use tax" which usually the same as the sales tax for that state.

Hope this helps

Jerry-the-bookkeeper