Why was I charged tax?

Sales tax is required by law and is calculated automatically based on your shipping address. We don't set tax rates — they're determined by your state, county, city, or country's tax authority. The tax amount is shown at checkout before you pay, so there are no surprises. Here's how it works.

How Tax Is Calculated

When you enter your shipping address at checkout, our system calculates the applicable tax based on your delivery location. Tax rates vary by state (in the US), by jurisdiction within a state (county and city taxes can differ), and by country for international orders.

The tax is displayed as a separate line item in your order summary at checkout — you see the product price, shipping cost, and tax amount individually before confirming your purchase. The total is the sum of all three.

Why Tax Rates Vary

Different states have different rates. Some US states have no sales tax at all (like Oregon, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Alaska for most purchases), while others charge up to 10%+ when state and local taxes are combined.

Local taxes stack on top of state taxes. A state might charge 6% sales tax, but your city or county adds another 1-2%. Two customers in the same state can see different tax amounts depending on their specific city or county.

Product category matters. Some states tax certain product categories differently. For example, clothing may be tax-exempt or taxed at a lower rate in some states while fully taxed in others.

International taxes vary widely. VAT (Value Added Tax), GST (Goods and Services Tax), and other consumption taxes vary significantly by country. International customers may see different tax treatment depending on their country's regulations and our compliance requirements.

Tax and Your Order Total

Your checkout breakdown shows each component clearly:

Product price — the item cost. Shipping — delivery cost ($0.00 for Perks members). Tax — the calculated amount based on your shipping address. Total — the sum you're actually charged.

This total is locked in when you place your order. Tax doesn't change after checkout.

Tax vs. Customs Duties

For international customers, tax and customs duties are two different things:

Tax is calculated and included at checkout — it's part of your order total and you don't pay it separately.

Customs duties are import fees assessed by your country's government when the package arrives. We typically cover these through our DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping approach, so most international customers don't see additional charges at delivery. Some countries require customers to pay duties directly regardless — see our article on customs and import duties for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I avoid paying tax? A: No. Sales tax is a legal requirement in jurisdictions that impose it. We're obligated to collect it based on applicable tax laws. It's not a fee we set or profit from — it's passed directly to the relevant tax authority.

Q: Why was I charged tax on this order but not a previous one? A: Several things may have changed. You may have shipped to a different address in a different tax jurisdiction. Tax laws may have changed in your area. You may have purchased a different product category that's taxed differently. Or a previous order may have been shipped to a tax-free state.

Q: Can I get a tax exemption? A: If you have a valid tax-exempt status (such as a nonprofit organization or reseller with a tax-exempt certificate), contact us before placing your order with your exemption documentation. We can discuss your options.

Q: Is tax included in the product price or added on top? A: Like most US retailers, our prices are displayed before tax. Tax is calculated and added at checkout based on your shipping address. This is standard practice in the United States.

Q: How do I get a receipt showing the tax I paid? A: Your order confirmation email includes the full breakdown including tax. You can also view this in "My Orders" by clicking on the specific order. For more on receipts, see our article: Can I Get a Receipt for Tax Purposes?

Q: I live in a tax-free state but was still charged tax. Why? A: Verify that your shipping address (not billing address) is in the tax-free state — tax is calculated on the delivery destination. If your shipping address is correct and in a tax-free state, contact us with your order number and we'll review the charge.

Questions About Tax on Your Order?

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