Sales tax glossary
What is origin-based sourcing?
Origin-based sourcing is a rule that taxes a sale at the rate in effect where the seller is located, rather than where the buyer receives the item. Only a handful of states use it, and generally only for sales within the state. Sales shipped into other states are usually taxed at the destination.
Example
A seller in an origin-based state ships an order to a customer elsewhere in the same state. It charges the rate for its own location, not the customer's.
Why it matters for sellers
Sourcing decides which rate you charge, so getting it wrong affects every order. Remote sellers usually follow destination sourcing even when shipping into an origin-based state.
Related terms
This definition is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
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