If you live in Maine and want to make an online purchase, you might be concerned about paying sales tax. Yes, Maine does levy sales tax on online purchases, just like it does on purchases made in physical stores, to the issue you posed.
The sales tax in Maine is 5.5%, which is not as high as it is in some other states. However, there are a few variables, such as where you live and the kind of goods you’re buying, that will affect the actual amount of tax you’ll pay on an online transaction.
Maine has a “nexus” sales tax in addition to the ordinary sales tax. The out-of-state sellers who conduct business in Maine but do not have a physical presence there are subject to this tax. You must collect and send Maine’s nexus sales tax if you are an out-of-state vendor and you fit specific requirements.
Your gross sales and the quantity of transactions you’ve completed in Maine are two independent elements that will affect the amount of nexus sales tax you must collect. A tax expert should be consulted if you are an out-of-state seller who is unsure if you must collect nexus sales tax in Maine.
Consider shopping in Delaware, which has no sales tax at all, if you’re seeking for a state with a low sales tax rate. Other states with low sales taxes are Oregon (0%), Montana (0%), and New Hampshire (9% on cooked meals and accommodation, but 0% on most other purchases). What does New Hampshire’s sales tax look like?
As previously indicated, most things in New Hampshire are exempt from sales tax. However, if you’re considering a trip to the Granite State, keep in mind that there is a 9% tax on cooked meals and lodging.
As was already said, Delaware is the only US state without a sales tax. Oregon and Montana also have 0% sales taxes, making them two additional states with low sales tax rates. You should check before making any purchases, though, as some towns and counties in these states may impose local sales taxes.
In conclusion, you must account for the 5.5% sales tax if you intend to make an online purchase in Maine. Additionally, nexus sales tax could apply to out-of-state vendors who conduct business in Maine. However, you might want to think about doing your shopping in Delaware, Oregon, or Montana if you’re searching for a state with a low (or nonexistent) sales tax rate.