New Jersey sales tax guide for SaaS businesses

Is SaaS taxable in New Jersey?

New Jersey imposes sales tax on a range of digital goods, but does not generally tax SaaS products.

It is important for businesses to accurately classify their specific products in order to determine whether they are subject to sales tax in the state and to ensure that they are collecting and remitting sales tax if required to do so. Consulting a tax professional can help you determine your product’s taxability in New Jersey and other states.

How to determine if your product is taxable in New Jersey

When determining the taxability of your product in New Jersey, it is essential to consider several factors. One of the key determinants of taxability is the product classification. Because states and even cities in the US have different definitions of SaaS, getting clear on your product’s functionality is an important first step in determining its taxability.

Next, you should consider whether you have sales tax nexus in New Jersey. Nexus is a significant business connection with a state that triggers the requirement to collect and remit sales tax. The concept of nexus is central to understanding the taxability of SaaS and digital products in the US.

New Jersey sales tax nexus can be established in a number of ways, including but not limited to:

• Having a physical presence, such as an office or a warehouse in the state.
• Employment of sales personnel or independent contractors in the state.
• Reaching a minimum sales threshold or making a certain number of transactions in the state, as defined by the state’s economic nexus rules.

With the introduction of economic nexus laws, businesses that are not physically located in New Jersey may still be required to collect and remit sales tax if they surpass the state’s nexus threshold, which is currently $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions annually.

Sales tax compliance in New Jersey

Once it is determined that a business has a sales tax nexus in New Jersey and that its SaaS offerings are taxable, it is important to ensure full compliance with the state’s sales tax regulations. The steps include:

• Register for a sales tax permit: All businesses with nexus in New Jersey must register for a sales tax permit.
• Collect sales tax: Once you have your sales tax permit, you need to collect the appropriate amount of sales tax on taxable transactions, including any taxable SaaS products and digital goods.
• File sales tax returns: Businesses must file periodic sales tax returns, typically on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, depending on the sales volume. When filing the return, you need to report the total sales and taxable sales, as well as the sales tax collected during the reporting period.
• Remit collected sales tax: Along with filing your sales tax return, you must also remit the collected sales tax to the state. Failure to do so could result in penalties and interest charges.

Failure to comply with sales tax obligations can lead to penalties, interest charges, and potential legal issues, so it is essential for businesses to stay informed about current tax requirements and to seek professional assistance if needed.