Dropshipping Taxes: A Guide for U.S. Companies

Dropshipping allows U.S.-based companies to fulfill consumer orders without actually keeping the merchandise on hand. It’s a terrific approach to help retail establishments save money, time, and space. The value of the global dropshipping market is expected to reach $1670.1 billion by 2031.

Are you considering expanding or establishing your own dropshipping company? What you need to know about dropshipping taxes for American firms is provided here.

Dropshipping: What Is It?

By using dropshipping, you may sell products online or through a physical store without having to keep any inventory on hand.

Two transactions are involved when dropshipping: one is between the dropshipping owner and the customer, and the other is between the supplier and the customer. The dropshipping procedure involves these 3 steps:

  • An order is delivered to the dropshipping owner.
  • The dropshipper buys the products for the order from a different supplier.
  • The products are delivered to the dropshipper’s client via a third-party supplier.

Do Dropshipping Taxes Need to Be Paid?

Depending on your sales tax nexus, you’ll have to pay taxes when dropshipping. A company’s presence within a state is referred to as a sales tax nexus.

American-based dropshipping companies may have a sales tax nexus in the state where they conduct business if they:

It is possible to streamline your dropshipping operation using several platforms. You can utilize the following dropshipping platforms, which are the most well-liked ones:

  • Amazon
  • Etsy
  • Supply Source
  • Magento
  • Shopify
  • Squarespace

Which Taxes Am I Owed While Dropshipping?

Because both tax nexus types can result in tax payments from dropshipping owners, dropshipping companies are unusual in this regard. As a result, dropshipping involves paying two taxes: income tax and sales tax.

Income Tax

The income tax is the first tax you’ll have to pay when dropshipping. You’ll pay income tax to the government for the money you make from dropshipping.

Every dropshipping company must pay federal income tax, and almost all states additionally impose income taxes that you must also pay. The federal tax can be paid in quarterly estimated income tax payments.

Dropshippers are required to pay income tax on profits. So, if you don’t make any money from dropshipping in a year, you won’t have to pay income tax.

Sales Tax

Sales tax is the second tax that dropshipping requires you to pay. City, municipal, or state taxes that include a savings percentage are called sales taxes.

If you want to resale the items, you might be able to get a certificate exempting you from paying state taxes. You can obtain an exemption certificate if you want to resell products in three ways:

  • An exemption certificate is completed by the buyer and given to the seller.
  • The seller may sell products to the buyer while keeping the exemption certificate.
  • There will be no sales tax applied to these items.

Taxes for Dropshipping: How to File

The first step in filing taxes for dropshipping is to choose whether you’ll pay income tax or sales tax.

No matter where in the country your dropshipping company is located, you must pay income taxes:

  • Based on your dropshipping profits, you will need to pay federal income taxes.
  • Although not all states mandate this tax, you may additionally pay a state income tax.
  • You might need to file both federal income tax and state sales tax, depending on where you live.

State sales taxes are filed and paid in a different way than federal income taxes:

  • Dropshippers will collect, process, and submit the sales tax payments; consumers will be responsible for paying this tax.
  • States impose sales taxes at varied rates.
  • You should maintain records of business sales and sales taxes as the owner of a dropshipping company.
  • You may be eligible for tax deductions that will be beneficial to you when it comes time to file your taxes, whether you file federal or state income taxes.

Is a Tax ID Required for Dropshipping?

For dropshipping business owners to pay sales tax, a tax ID is necessary. A tax ID is required to demonstrate that you have collected sales tax from a customer’s purchase in almost every state, which has a state sales tax.

Taxes are not applied to the products that dropship suppliers send to your consumers. As a result, the supplier informs the IRS that the dropshipping business charges sales taxes on the orders of its clients.

Do You Need an LLC Before Dropshipping?

As an LLC offers protection, you must have one before dropshipping. Creating an LLC before you begin dropshipping can safeguard both your personal and business assets.

So, keeping your business assets and personal assets separate is one advantage that forming LLCs for dropshippers offers.

Consult a Tax at Your Part Time Accountant

There are risks you can encounter with dropshipping. Income tax and sales tax have an impact on how U.S.-based firms file and pay their taxes. These are just a few of the reasons you should engage with accountants who know dropshipping taxes.

An accountant with knowledge of dropshipping taxes is just a call away. To obtain the assistance you need when preparing your taxes, get in touch with the accounting experts at Your Part Time Accountant.