The United States does not have a national sales-tax system. Rather, indirect taxes are imposed on a sub-national level. 45 states, the District of Columbia, the territories of Puerto Rico, and Guam impose general sales taxes that apply to the sale or lease of most goods and some services, and states also may levy selective sales taxes on the sale or lease of particular goods or services. States may grant local governments the authority to impose additional general or selective sales taxes.
The states imposing sales tax also impose a similar tax on buyers of taxable property or services in those cases where sales tax is not paid. Use tax is a complementary or compensating tax to the sales tax and does not apply if the sales tax was charged. Use tax applies to purchases made outside the taxing jurisdiction but used within the state. Use tax also applies to items purchased exempt from tax which are subsequently used in a taxable manner.
Sales or use tax rates vary by state, ranging from 2.9 to 7.25 percent at the state level. In addition to the state rate, local governments in 35 states impose an additional sales or use tax ranging from 1 to 5 percent.
