Sales Tax

Best Sales Tax Software: Top 10 Compliance and Automation Platforms

Most sales tax software calculates tax, but few solutions offer end-to-end compliance support, including registration, filing and remittance, handling state tax notices, and guaranteeing their work. Here's how the top 10 platforms compare.

Christy Bieber
Christy Bieber
Nate Matherson
Nate Matherson
Published:
October 29, 2026

If your company sells to customers, sales tax compliance is essential. This applies to all businesses, including ecommerce sellers, resellers, wholesalers, and even SaaS companies, all of which face sales tax obligations.

Many sales tax solutions can help manage compliance, but they're not created equal. Some services just calculate tax, while end-to-end solutions manage all your obligations across multiple states and countries. Because features vary, no software is one-size-fits-all.

Numeral is often the best sales tax solution for ecommerce and SaaS companies, wholesalers, and manufacturers. Enterprise organizations may prefer a more expensive solution like Avalara, while small merchants who use only Stripe may benefit from its integrated service.

This guide explores different sales tax compliance tools to help you find the best sales tax software for your needs.

Best sales tax software at a glance

The table below offers a snapshot comparison of sales tax software solutions so you can quickly see which is best for you.

PlatformBest forPricing modelFiling and registrationGuarantee
NumeralGrowing businesses, from ecommerce and SaaS to manufacturing and wholesaleFree nexus monitoring
$75/filing
$150/registration
Managed, with human reviewPays penalties and interest for late filings; pays audit penalties and interest from its filing errors, up to 2x a year of fees
AvalaraEnterprises with complex ERP setupsCore Compliance: $79 per state per month
Core Compliance + SST: $69 per state per month
Prepared by return agent
You manage the exceptions
Pays penalties and interest if Avalara files late, up to a year of fees
VertexLarge in-house tax teams on SAP or OracleCustom quoteReturns add-onNone published
AnrokSaaS companies$100 per market per month (Starter)IncludedNone published
TaxJarSmall marketplace sellersFrom $39 per month + $50 to $55 per AutoFile returnAutoFile; registration $299 per statePays penalties and interest if TaxJar files late; pays tax, penalties, and interest from its API calculation errors, up to 2x a year of fees
Stripe TaxBusinesses already using Stripe0.5% per transaction or 50 cents per transaction for API integrations
Subscriptions starting at $90 per month
Subscription plans include filing allowancesNone published
ZampBrands that want a bundled managed serviceFree nexus assessment
Custom quote
ManagedPays penalties and interest for late filing; pays tax, penalties, and interest from its API calculation errors, up to a year of fees
TaxCloudBudget-focused sellers that qualify for free SST services$19 per month for Starter
$79 per month for Premium
Starting at $39 per month or $20 per filing; free in SST states for eligible sellersNone published (audit support add-on for $99 per month)
KintsugiEarly-stage startups that prefer self-serveFree global exposure monitoring
$75 per filing or registration (Starter)
Auto-file and auto-registerPays penalties and interest from its calculation or filing errors (Scale and Premium plans only)
QuadernoCreators and digital sellers that need invoicingFrom $29 per month
Custom quote for filing service
Managed filing availablePays tax, penalties, and interest from its calculation errors (Premium SLA, from 10,000 transactions per month), up to 2x a year of fees

Pricing, plan details, and guarantee terms were checked on each vendor's website on Oct. 27, 2026. “None published” means we found no publicly stated guarantee.

Best sales tax compliance and automation software

This roundup of 10 sales tax solutions will help you find the best sales tax compliance and automation software.

1. Numeral: Best overall sales tax software for growing businesses

Numeral homepage

Best for: Ecommerce brands, SaaS companies, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and growing businesses looking for an affordable end-to-end solution with no long-term commitment

Numeral is a true full-service solution for DTC and marketplace sellers, subscription software, and B2B sellers with tax-exempt customers and ERP-based invoicing. The company is trusted by 3,500+ customers, including Brex, Character.ai, Eight Sleep, Whatnot, and Supabase.

Numeral monitors nexus, auto-registers you in new states, auto-files and remits payments, manages exemption and resale certificates, and even handles your mail. Work is automated with human oversight for the best of both worlds.

Pricing

  • Nexus monitoring: Free
  • Flat-fee pricing: $75 per filing and $150 per registration, with no long-term commitments.
  • Custom pricing for Enterprise plan: Adds global coverage in 90+ countries, tax engine API, tax lawyer consultations, advanced reporting
  • No long-term commitment: No contracts, setup fees, or per-transaction fees

Features and coverage

  • Nexus tracking: Free across all sales channels
  • Sales tax calculation: Rooftop-accurate rates based on each customer's address
  • Product classification: AI classifies your products to apply the correct taxability rules
  • Registration: Auto-registration when you reach a nexus threshold for $150 per registration
  • Filing and remittance: Auto-filing and remittance for $75 per filing
  • Sales tax reporting: Comprehensive reports and data review inside the dashboard
  • Notice management: Virtual mailbox that receives and responds to state tax mail, plus AI agents that check your state tax portals daily for notices
  • Exemption certificate management: Exemption certificate management
  • VAT/GST: Support across 90+ countries
  • Support: Concierge support
  • Integrations: 40+ integrations across ecommerce (Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce), billing (Stripe, Chargebee), accounting (QuickBooks, Xero), and ERP (NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Acumatica, Sage, Odoo)

Guarantee

Numeral offers two guarantees:

  • Filing Guarantee: Covers penalties and interest plus filing costs if Numeral files late
  • Accuracy Guarantee: Covers penalties and interest resulting from an audit if Numeral made an error up to 2x the fees you paid Numeral in the prior 12 months

Numeral isn't liable if you provide inaccurate or incomplete information, including sales data, business profile information, or banking information. Numeral also isn't responsible if your bank account isn't sufficiently funded to pay sales tax due.

Pros

  • Always-free nexus monitoring
  • Handles every aspect of sales tax compliance
  • Built for ecommerce, SaaS, and B2B manufacturing and distribution
  • Fully managed process, with humans reviewing all returns and providing support
  • Transparent pricing with no long-term commitments required
  • Comprehensive guarantee covering late filings and penalties resulting from an audit
  • Global solution for sales tax, VAT, and GST in 90+ countries on one platform

Cons

  • Per-filing pricing scales with the number of states and how often you file
  • Very high-volume enterprises may prefer the custom Enterprise plan

[inline-cta title="Let us worry about sales tax." text="The trusted solution for U.S. sales tax, VAT, and GST compliance, used by 3,000+ global businesses. " button="Get started for free" button-link="/get-started"]

2. Avalara: Best for enterprises with complex ERP setups

avalara

Best for: Large businesses that need broad tax-type coverage (sales, use, excise, VAT) across a large integration library

Founded in 2004, Avalara is one of the most established players in the sales tax industry. It's built around the AvaTax calculation engine and offers add-on modules for returns, exemption certificates, and registration.

Once the gold standard, Avalara is expensive, and there's a steep learning curve. As a result, it's generally preferred by large businesses that want a legacy brand.

Pricing

  • Nexus monitoring: Included in paid compliance plans
  • Core Compliance: $79 per state per month; includes nexus monitoring, sales tax calculation, filing and remittance, notice management, and exemption certificate management
  • Core Compliance + SST Services: $69 per state per month; includes everything in Core Compliance + SST compliance service in participating states
  • Custom: Pricing not disclosed; includes tailored services for complex companies

Features and coverage

  • Nexus tracking: No free option; Core Compliance includes monitoring in 50 states
  • Sales tax calculation: AI product classifications and real-time calculator with AvaTax
  • Registration: Auto-registration available for $403 per location
  • Filing and remittance: Core Compliance includes automated preparation, filing, and payment through Managed Returns
  • Sales tax reporting: Reports support reconciliation and audit readiness
  • Notice management: Included with managed returns
  • Exemption certificate management: Data management, certificate validation, storage, and renewal available
  • VAT/GST: Worldwide with enhanced support in 59 countries
  • Support: Advanced support tiers available only on custom-level plans
  • Integrations: 1,400+ integrations including Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Stripe, QuickBooks, Sage, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, and Oracle

Guarantee

Avalara offers the Avalara Returns Guarantee.

  • It covers penalties and interest when Avalara files or remits late.
  • It's capped at the lesser of the penalties or the fees paid in the prior 365 days.

You must supply accurate data and funds and forward notices within 10 days.

Pros

  • Large integration library
  • Covers multiple types of taxes beyond sales tax
  • Enterprise-grade reporting

Cons

  • Core Compliance requires at least three states, and registration outside SST states is quoted separately
  • Guarantee repays a maximum of one year of fees
  • Expensive legacy solution

>> See how it compares: Numeral vs. Avalara

3. Vertex: Best for large in-house tax teams on SAP or Oracle

Best for: Enterprises with dedicated tax departments and complex ERP environments

Vertex was founded in 1978 and originally provided paper sales tax directories. The company has evolved and now offers the robust O Series tax engine, allowing enterprise teams to set highly granular, location-specific tax rules.

Vertex excels in deep integrations, but the software is prohibitively expensive for all but enterprise users.

Pricing

Vertex does not disclose pricing tiers on its website. You must contact the sales team to obtain a custom quote for all plans.

Features and coverage

  • Nexus tracking: No free option. Vertex Indirect Tax Intelligence tracks sales against each state’s economic nexus thresholds. It’s included with new O Series Cloud licenses and costs extra with O Series On-Demand.
  • Sales tax calculation: Real-time calculation with rooftop accuracy using automated geo-mapping
  • Registration: You're generally responsible for registering your company once you reach nexus
  • Filing and remittance: Generates signature-ready and e-file format returns across jurisdictions
  • Sales tax reporting: Comprehensive reporting solutions, including auto-generated reports
  • Notice management: Can directly receive and manage correspondence from state taxing authorities
  • Exemption certificate management: Automates certificate validation and stores exemption certificates
  • VAT/GST: Offers automated cross-border support across 195 countries
  • Support: Specialized migration experts and technical support available
  • Integrations: Integrates directly with common platforms including ecommerce, billing, and accounting/ERP

Guarantee

Vertex does not offer a published guarantee.

Pros

  • Deep ERP integrations
  • Strong reporting tools
  • Broad compliance coverage, including global tax

Cons

  • Pricing isn't public
  • Implementation typically requires IT resources or a consulting partner
  • Expensive legacy solution

>> See how it compares: Numeral vs. Vertex

4. Anrok: Best for SaaS companies

anrok

Best for: Software and SaaS companies with subscription billing in Stripe, Chargebee, or similar systems

Anrok is a modern sales tax solution designed for digital companies, ecommerce sellers, and SaaS companies. It offers seamless no-code billing integrations, and its tax engine effectively handles edge-case tracking for software taxability.

Unfortunately, monthly fees are charged per market regardless of whether a filing is due, which adds up for businesses registered in many states or countries.

Pricing

  • Nexus monitoring: No free tier but included with paid plans
  • Starter: $100 per market per month (each region where you're registered counts as one market); includes real-time tax calculations, global exposure monitoring to alert you when you establish nexus, filing and remittance, physical nexus monitoring, and exemption certificate management
  • Custom: Custom pricing is not published. The custom plan adds advanced data and address resolution APIs, advanced integrations, and enhanced exemption certificate management

Features and coverage

  • Nexus tracking: Automatically monitors multiple sales channels across 11,000 U.S. jurisdictions
  • Sales tax calculation: Real-time tax calculation with rooftop accuracy using physical location mapping and real-time address validation
  • Registration: Auto-registration available instantly through the platform dashboard
  • Filing and remittance: Auto-files returns and remits payments in the U.S. and for cross-border sales
  • Sales tax reporting: Consolidates transaction data into a single record
  • Notice management: Limited; you remain responsible for correspondence
  • Exemption certificate management: Automates uploading, validation, and tracking
  • VAT/GST: Automated across 100+ countries
  • Support: Handled by a dedicated U.S.-based team
  • Integrations: 40+ native integrations across billing and invoicing platforms, ecommerce systems, and core accounting software

Guarantee

Anrok does not offer a public guarantee.

Pros

  • Built for SaaS companies
  • Deep integrations with numerous billing systems
  • Filing is included in the platform price

Cons

  • Per-market monthly pricing can be costly for multistate sellers
  • Custom pricing requires a quote
  • Each country counts as its own market (EU OSS filing counts as one), so international costs add up

>> See how it compares: Numeral vs. Anrok

5. TaxJar: Best for small marketplace sellers

TaxJar homepage

Best for: Small ecommerce sellers on Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify that want self-serve tools

TaxJar is a cloud-based solution effective for small and mid-sized companies. Stripe owns it, but it is a self-service platform. The intuitive dashboard and nexus-tracking features provide timely insights.

Unfortunately, TaxJar handles support primarily via email, opportunities for complex customization are limited, and costs rise as order volume grows.

Pricing

  • Nexus monitoring: No free tier; Economic Nexus Insights tool included in the Professional plan
  • Starter: Starts at $39 per month or $419 annually; includes up to 200 orders per month; 2 filing credits a year, then $50 per return
  • Professional: Starts at $99 per month or $1,069 annually; includes 4 filing credits a year, then $55 per return; adds access to the TaxJar API, Economic Nexus Insights Tool, and other advanced compliance tools

Features and coverage

  • Nexus tracking: Economic nexus checker on both plans; nexus dashboard and alerts only on the Professional plan
  • Sales tax calculation: Real-time rooftop calculations, with monthly order limits on each plan
  • Registration: TaxJar registers you in states where you've met nexus for $299 per state (paid plans only)
  • Filing and remittance: Automated filing and remittance using the AutoFile system
  • Sales tax reporting: Multi-channel ecommerce data is aggregated into liability reports
  • Notice management: Notice management and resolution on Professional only
  • Exemption certificate management: Dedicated document collections and storage exist within the cloud platform
  • VAT/GST: No international calculations
  • Support: Basic email support only on the Starter plan
  • Integrations: Limits on integrations (3 for Starter, 10 for Professional)

Guarantee

TaxJar offers an AutoFile guarantee. This means the company:

  • Refunds the filing fee plus penalties and interest when TaxJar files late
  • Covers uncollected tax, penalties, and interest from inaccurate API results, up to 2x what you paid TaxJar in the prior 12 months (API customers)

Your sales, enrollment, and bank data must be correct and funded.

Pros

  • Intuitive and simple onboarding
  • Strong marketplace integrations
  • Published AutoFile guarantee

Cons

  • Subscription price increases with order volume
  • Overage fees and registration come at an extra cost
  • Support is largely limited to email

>> See how it compares: Numeral vs. TaxJar

6. Stripe Tax: Best for businesses already using Stripe

Stripe Tax homepage

Best for: Businesses that already run payments or billing through Stripe

Owned by Stripe, Stripe Tax integrates seamlessly with ecommerce platforms, enabling sellers to auto-activate compliance from a single dashboard.

While Stripe Tax offers an automated sales tax solution, automated filings outside the U.S. often rely on third-party partners. Usage-based pricing can also become costly as sales grow.

Pricing

  • Nexus monitoring: On-platform nexus monitoring is free through the Stripe Tax Dashboard
  • Tax Basic: 0.5% fee per transaction in areas where you activated the tax collection engine
  • Tax Basic with API integration: 50 cents per transaction in areas where tax collection is activated (includes 10 calculation API calls)
  • Tax Complete: Tiered subscription plan starts at $90 per month. Pricing is transaction-based and goes as high as $1,500 per month for 5,000 transactions and 50,000 calculation API calls a month on a one-year contract; higher volumes are quoted.

Features and coverage

  • Nexus tracking: Free monitoring on platform only
  • Sales tax calculation: 0.5% per transaction fee for native no-code calculation at checkout.
  • Custom API-driven calculations: 50 cents per transaction
  • Registration: Automated or managed from dashboard
  • Filing and remittance: Automated filing through Stripe in the U.S.; partner integrations in other countries
  • Sales tax reporting: Exportable ledgers and diagnostic summaries
  • Notice management: No virtual mailbox
  • Exemption certificate management: Native support at checkout
  • VAT/GST: Calculation and collection in 100+ countries; registrations and filings in 90+ countries on Tax Complete
  • Support: Support through Stripe Support chat

Guarantee

Stripe Tax does not publish a guarantee.

Pros

  • Fast and simple setup for Stripe users
  • Global calculation
  • One vendor manages payment collection and tax

Cons

  • Tax Complete requires a one-year contract
  • Entry-tier filing and registration allowances are low for multistate sellers
  • Liability stays with you since Stripe Tax isn't a merchant of record

>> See how it compares: Numeral vs. Stripe Tax

7. Zamp: Best for brands that want a bundled managed service

Zamp homepage

Best for: Ecommerce brands that prefer one quoted price for a managed service

Zamp is a fully managed sales tax solution that offers white-glove service. Zamp handles every aspect of compliance, from nexus monitoring to filing, registration, and notice management.

While its service level suits enterprise companies and businesses with larger budgets, its high cost can be prohibitive for some startups. Some users also report workflow challenges.

Pricing

Zamp offers a free plan with a one-time nexus assessment. Paid plans (U.S. and U.S. + Canada) require a custom quote.

Features and coverage

  • Nexus tracking: Proactive monitoring with paid plans
  • Sales tax calculation: Native geospatial coordinate mapping to calculate street-specific taxes for over 600 product tax codes
  • Registration: Fully managed
  • Filing and remittance: Automated with a human check before filing
  • Sales tax reporting: Ledger transparency
  • Notice management: Support but no virtual mailbox
  • Exemption certificate management: Full handling of ECM
  • VAT/GST: Canadian GST/HST/PST/QST on the U.S. + Canada plan; no other countries listed
  • Support: White-glove support from concierge staff
  • Integrations: 60+ integrations across ecommerce, billing, and more

Guarantee

The Zamp Commitment offers two types of guarantees:

  • It covers penalties and interest when Zamp causes a late filing.
  • Its Accuracy Guarantee for API customers is capped at 12 months of fees.

Pros

  • A hands-off model due to full-service support
  • Numerous ecommerce integrations
  • A guarantee that protects you in case of a filing issue

Cons

  • Primarily for U.S. sales tax (international coverage beyond Canada isn’t listed on the pricing page)
  • Can be expensive
  • Limited options for DIY customization

>> See how it compares: Numeral vs. Zamp

8. TaxCloud: Best for budget-focused sellers that qualify for free SST services

TaxCloud homepage

Best for: Smaller U.S. sellers using free services through the Streamlined Sales Tax program

TaxCloud is an SST-certified provider. Sellers that enroll in the SST program can get free registration, processing, and tax return filing to SST member states. It offers robust integrations, especially with native shopping carts, and offers automated nexus tracking to make it easy to see new obligations.

SST standardizes sales tax compliance. If you enroll in the voluntary program, you can satisfy registration obligations across SST member states.

Unfortunately, some users report unexpected changes to the pricing model. Manual entry of some information is also required, which users have indicated can be tedious.

Pricing

  • Nexus monitoring: No free option; included in Starter and Premium plans
  • Starter: $19 per month for up to 100 orders, or $199 per year for up to 1,200 orders; includes access to the SST program, return-ready reports from all states, and nexus monitoring across the U.S.
  • Premium: $79 per month for up to 200 orders, or $799 per year for up to 2,400 orders; adds ERP integration, real-time calculation, and TaxCloud API access
  • Filing plans: Start at $39 per month, or as low as $20 per filing; SST filings for eligible sellers don't count toward your allotment

Features and coverage

  • Nexus tracking: Proactive tracking included with plan
  • Sales tax calculation: Real-time calculation at checkout for Premium plan members
  • Registration: SST provider offers free registration with member states
  • Filing and remittance: Files and remits on your behalf
  • Sales tax reporting: Generate audit-ready reports
  • Notice management: Virtual mailbox available as an add-on; notice management included free in SST states for eligible sellers
  • Exemption certificate management: Automated process, including renewal tracking
  • VAT/GST: Not natively supported
  • Support: Support available via human agents
  • Integrations: 90+ integrations across commerce, accounting and ERP, ecommerce, billing, payments, and more

Guarantee

TaxCloud does not publicly offer a guarantee. Audit support is an optional add-on priced at $99 per month.

Pros

  • Low entry price
  • Free SST services for eligible sellers in 24 states
  • Pay-as-you-go filing at $20 per filing

Cons

  • Real-time calculation requires the Premium plan
  • No VAT or GST support
  • Users have reported some manual workflows

>> See how it compares: Numeral vs. TaxCloud

9. Kintsugi: Best for early-stage startups that prefer self-serve

Kintsugi homepage

Best for: Startups that want a free entry point and self-serve setup

Kintsugi is an AI-focused platform that charges per filing and registration. An AI assistant and machine-learning models automate product classification, physical address variations, and other tax-compliance steps.

Users appreciate its free nexus monitoring plan and hands-off automated filing service. Kintsugi Mail also helps process state tax notifications, reducing paperwork. Reviews are mostly positive, but users have reported some issues with integrations not working effectively.

Pricing

  • Nexus monitoring: Free nexus monitoring across all transaction channels
  • Starter: No monthly subscription fee; flat fee of $75 per filing and per registration
  • Scale: Custom flat monthly price; adds VAT and GST in EU, UK, and 100+ countries, notice handling, and the Kintsugi Guarantee
  • Premium: Custom pricing; adds VDA management, API and SDK access, and advanced exemption certificate management

Features and coverage

  • Nexus tracking: Free and automated
  • Sales tax calculation: AI-native tax engine provides location-based calculation
  • Registration: One-click auto-registration
  • Filing and remittance: One-click filing and remittance on a pay-per-filing structure
  • Sales tax reporting: Real-time data and audit-ready exports
  • Notice management: Virtual mailbox (Kintsugi Mail) on Starter and up; notice handling on Scale and Premium
  • Exemption certificate management: Automated collection and management
  • VAT/GST: Canada on Starter; EU, UK, and 100+ countries on Scale and Premium
  • Support: Premium-tier plans receive more support
  • Integrations: 15+ deep integrations across ecommerce, billing and payments, ERP and accounting, and more

Guarantee

The Kintsugi Guarantee covers penalties and interest caused by Kintsugi's calculation or filing errors. It's available only on the Scale and Premium plans, and Kintsugi doesn't publish a cap.

Pros

  • Free nexus monitoring
  • A full end-to-end solution powered by automation
  • Virtual mailbox services

Cons

  • VAT and GST outside the U.S. and Canada require the Scale or Premium plan
  • Real-time ERP calculation, notice handling, and the Kintsugi Guarantee require the Scale or Premium plan
  • On Starter, back filings, amended returns, and deregistrations are each billed at $75

>> See how it compares: Numeral vs. Kintsugi

10. Quaderno: Best for creators and digital sellers that need invoicing

Quaderno homepage

Best for: Creators and small digital product sellers that need compliant invoices and international tax calculation

Quaderno is a cloud-based sales tax compliance solution that excels in providing multi-country support. It can accurately calculate, invoice, and report sales tax, VAT, and GST across over 12,000 jurisdictions and offers features like automated multilingual invoices.

Unfortunately, enterprise-requested features like custom ledger mapping aren't available, and transaction-volume pricing tiers mean costs can rise as you grow.

Pricing

  • Nexus monitoring: No free option; included in paid tiers
  • Hobby: $29 per month for up to 25 transactions, one integration, and one user
  • Startup: $49 per month for up to 250 transactions, with unlimited users, jurisdictions, and integrations
  • Business: $99 per month for unlimited users, jurisdictions, and integrations and up to 1,000 transactions per month
  • Growth: $149 per month for up to 2,500 transactions per month
  • Enterprise: From $249 per month for 5,000 transactions, scaling with volume

Features and coverage

  • Nexus tracking: Tracking available on paid plans, early warning system option
  • Sales tax calculation: Real-time calculations in over 12,000 jurisdictions
  • Registration: You register after receiving alerts, or use Quaderno's add-on service
  • Filing and remittance: Filing service (quoted), or ready-to-file reports if you file yourself
  • Sales tax reporting: Generates audit-ready reports
  • Notice management: No virtual mailbox
  • Exemption certificate management: Automated validation, processing, and storage
  • VAT/GST: Support across 150+ countries
  • Support: Multiple support channels
  • Integrations: Unlimited on all plans except Hobby (one integration)

Guarantee

Quaderno's Accuracy Guarantee is available to Quaderno Premium customers (its premium SLA starts at the 10,000-transactions-per-month tier). It covers uncollected sales tax, penalties, and interest resulting from calculation errors, up to 2x what you paid Quaderno over the prior 12 months.

You must have the service properly configured, provide notice within 14 days of the audit notice, share your audit-related information, and allow Quaderno to work with the state or country.

Pros

  • Strong invoicing features, including multilingual invoicing
  • Simple subscription-based pricing
  • International coverage for GST, VAT, and sales tax compliance

Cons

  • Plans cap monthly transactions
  • Registration and filing prices are not published
  • Pricing scales with volume, and exceeding transaction limits can trigger unexpected costs

Types of sales tax software: calculation, automated filing, and managed compliance

Sales tax software (also called sales and use tax software or sales tax compliance software) automates some part of sales tax compliance, such as tracking nexus, calculating rates, registering for sales tax, filing sales tax returns, and remitting payments.

How much it automates varies widely. Some tools only calculate tax, while full-service solutions manage every part of compliance, down to opening your mail. Many vendors offer different service levels, depending on the plan.

The table below explains the different service levels so you can decide which makes sense for you.

Service levelWhat the software doesWhat you still doExamples (Plan choice affects services)
CalculationCalculates the correct tax due at checkout or invoiceRegister, file, remit, answer noticesStripe Tax Basic, QuickBooks, Shopify Tax without automated filing, TaxCloud Starter (reports only)
Automated filingCalculates tax and auto-files returns once you set parametersRegister (often), review data, manage changes in reporting requirements, handle noticesTaxJar AutoFile, Shopify Tax automated filing, Stripe Tax Complete, TaxCloud with a filing plan, Kintsugi Starter, Anrok Starter
Managed complianceMonitors nexus, registers, files, remits, handles noticesApprove and reviewNumeral, Zamp, Quaderno managed filing, Kintsugi Scale and Premium

Numeral sits in the managed compliance tier with published per-filing pricing: $75 per filing and $150 per registration, with no required contract. While Numeral charges per-filing pricing, it provides true end-to-end support with all aspects of sales tax compliance.

[inline-cta title="Let us worry about sales tax." text="The trusted solution for U.S. sales tax, VAT, and GST compliance, used by 3,000+ global businesses. " button="Get started for free" button-link="/get-started"]

Sales tax calculation software

Best for: Businesses registered in only one or two states

Sales tax calculation software classifies products and charges the correct tax at the correct rate based on customer location and state rules.

Sales tax calculation software can calculate the tax due with rooftop accuracy across thousands of jurisdictions, but you are responsible for all other compliance obligations, including registering, filing, and remitting.

Sales tax automation software

Best for: Businesses filing in a handful of states and willing to do hands-on work

Sales tax automation software automates part of your compliance obligations.

Most programs calculate tax, auto-file, and remit returns. You remain responsible for managing registrations, ensuring data accuracy, setting filing rules and parameters, and responding to notices.

Managed sales tax compliance solutions

Best for: Multistate sellers with complex needs and lean finance teams

Managed solutions offer end-to-end support with all compliance tasks. The provider monitors nexus, registers you, files and remits returns, and handles notices across multiple states. Your obligations begin and end with review and approval.

Numeral provides this level of service in every U.S. state with a sales tax, with a team of sales tax experts who review filings and remittances before each return is submitted.

Can accounting software handle sales tax?

Accounting software isn't designed to provide full end-to-end support for sales tax compliance. Tools like QuickBooks Online and Xero can calculate sales tax due and track collections but typically won't manage sales-tax-specific obligations.

For example, accounting programs typically don't monitor nexus across states, register you, or file and remit returns.

Many companies integrate their accounting software with dedicated sales tax software. Numeral has integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, and Sage to streamline your compliance obligations by automatically importing and transferring critical data.

How much does sales tax software cost?

Sales tax software pricing ranges from free monitoring plans to custom enterprise contracts. Most vendors use one of four pricing models: per filing (Numeral, $75 per filing), per market per month (Anrok, $100 per market), order- or transaction-based subscriptions (TaxJar, from $39 a month), or custom quotes (Vertex).

Hidden costs to watch

When choosing a software partner and deciding what support tier you need, it's important to understand all costs. Here are some hidden fees many companies overlook:

  • Platform fees or per-market fees charged regardless of whether you file
  • Order-volume tiers and overage fees that result in increased cost as your company grows
  • Filing, registration, or exemption certificate management sold as add-ons
  • Annual contracts and activation or onboarding fees
  • Limited guarantees that put you at risk of late filing or audit penalties
  • Migration costs including fees for migrating historical data, open filing periods, credential setup

Numeral does not charge hidden fees. Our pricing is published online, and we charge a flat rate with no contract, setup fees, or onboarding fees. Our guarantee is also among the most comprehensive in the industry, covering penalties and interest from late filings and audit findings caused by inaccurate filings.

How to choose sales tax software for a small or growing business

When you are ready to choose sales tax software, here are a few key steps. If you're an early-stage company, check out our guide to the best sales tax software for startups that goes deeper on free plans and contract terms.

  1. Determine where you have nexus or are likely to establish physical or economic nexus in the future so you can understand how many different jurisdictions you will need to manage.
  2. List your sales channels and billing system so you can make sure your sales tax software solution integrates with the programs you are already using.
  3. Consider the complexity of your obligations to determine what level of service you need: Sales tax calculation, automated filing, or fully managed compliance.
  4. Evaluate different software programs to understand their service level, sales tax reporting process, support model, and onboarding time.
  5. Price different software solutions based on your multistate footprint, filing frequency, transaction volume, registrations you will need in the coming year, and the ongoing compliance support you require.
  6. Read each software program's guarantee terms to understand the level of risk you're taking on.
  7. Talk to current customers in your industry, or read reviews from similar businesses, to find a solution that works for you.

Numeral is the choice of top ecommerce brands, SaaS companies, and other modern businesses.

Read our case studies to learn how we've helped others make sales tax compliance effortless, and reach out to find out why Numeral is the best sales tax software in the industry.

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Let us worry about sales tax.

The trusted solution for U.S. sales tax, VAT, and GST compliance, used by 3,500+ global businesses.

Article by
Christy Bieber

Christy is a personal finance and legal writer with a JD from University of California, Los Angeles. She has written for WSJ Buy Side, Fox Business, CBS MoneyWatch, Miami Herald, CNN Underscored, and more.

Christy Bieber