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The Global Insight

What triggers nexus in California?

Author

James Williams

Updated on March 06, 2026

Generally, a business has nexus in California when it has a physical presence there, such as a retail store, warehouse, inventory, or the regular presence of traveling salespeople or representatives. Referrals, including online referrals, from in-state entities may also trigger nexus for an out-of-state business.

How do I know if my state has nexus?

Nexus is the amount of presence a business has in a certain location (e.g., state or city). You might have nexus in a state if you sell goods to a customer in that state. Sales tax is a pass-through tax. Businesses in specific localities or states must collect sales tax from customers at the point of sale.

What is the nexus threshold for California?

$500,000
Details. On April 25, 2019, the California governor signed A.B. 147 into law, imposing an economic nexus threshold of $500,000 on remote sellers, marketplace facilitators, and marketplace sellers.

What are the nexus requirements?

Economic Nexus legislation generally requires an out-of-state retailer to collect and remit sales tax once the retailer meets a set level of sales transactions or gross receipts activity (a threshold) within the state. No physical presence is required.

What are the sales taxes in California?

The statewide tax rate is 7.25%. In most areas of California, local jurisdictions have added district taxes that increase the tax owed by a seller. Those district tax rates range from 0.10% to 1.00%.

What is nexus for state tax purposes?

Sales tax nexus is the connection between a seller and a state that requires the seller to register then collect and remit sales tax in the state. Certain business activities, including having a physical presence or reaching a certain sales threshold, may establish nexus with the state.

What does it mean when you have nexus in a state?

The term “nexus” is used in tax law to describe a situation in which a business has a tax presence in a particular state. A nexus is basically a connection between the taxing authority and an entity that must collect or pay the tax.

What does Nexus mean for sales tax?

taxing jurisdiction
What is Sales Tax Nexus? Nexus is the connection a business has with a state or taxing jurisdiction. If there is no connection between the jurisdiction and the company, the business is not required to adhere to the jurisdiction’s sales tax rules.

What triggers income tax nexus?

States cannot just impose income tax on a business whenever they want to; first there has to be a connection, called nexus, between the business and the state. In many states, there will be income tax nexus if the business has substantial economic activity there. Most of the time, physical presence is not needed.

What do you need to know about the Nexus program?

Visit the U.S. CBP website for more information. NEXUS is a voluntary program designed to speed up border crossings for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States (U.S.). The information you provide is used to determine your eligibility. Refer to the Canadian and U.S. privacy statements for more information.

Can a nexus be established at a trade show in California?

Attending conventions or trade shows in California establishes nexus. You may be liable for collecting and remitting California use tax on orders taken or sales made during California conventions or trade shows. There are some exceptions listed here.

Do you need to register a physical presence nexus?

If you sell into states where you don’t collect sales tax, you need to be aware of physical presence nexus laws. The standard for establishing a nexus obligation to register, collect, and remit with a tax jurisdiction was historically based on physical presence within a jurisdiction.

How to establish a nexus in the state of Delaware?

Attending a trade show in the state for the purpose of taking orders or making sales may establish nexus in Connecticut. Delaware doesn’t impose a state sales tax, but it does have an annual business license requirement and it imposes a gross receipts tax on the seller of goods or provider of services.