.png?table=block&id=219105a2-9d95-8183-9e33-e3bb9c415955&cache=v2)
Last Edited Time
Jun 25, 2025 09:35 PM
Do not index
Do not index
Suggested Tag
Squarespace
tax management
ecommerce
Tags Synced
Tags Synced
AI summary
To set up manual tax rates in Squarespace, add country, province, and local rates through the Taxes settings. Note that you can't set different rates for specific products or exempt customers, and it's important to regularly review your rates for compliance with local laws.
Last edited by
Platform
Category
Topic
How to Set Up Manual Tax Rates in Squarespace
Setting up manual tax rates in Squarespace lets you control exactly where and how you collect sales tax from customers. This is essential for staying compliant with local tax laws across different regions.
Getting Started with Manual Tax Rates
Manual tax setup gives you the flexibility to define tax rates for specific locations rather than relying on Squarespace's automated system. Here's how to set it up properly.
Step 1: Add Country Tax Rates
- Go to Commerce > Settings > Taxes in your Squarespace dashboard
- Under "Manual Setup," click "Add Rate" (or "+" if you already have rates set up)
- Select your country from the dropdown menu
- For US rates, you'll need to add a state after selecting United States
- Enter your tax rate as a percentage
- Toggle on options for taxing services, digital products, and shipping if these apply to your business
- Click "Save"
Step 2: Add Canadian Province Tax Rates
- In the Taxes panel, click "Add province rate"
- Choose your province from the dropdown
- Enter the sales tax rate for that province
- Toggle on taxes for services, digital products, and shipping if required
- You can set the rate to appear as a combined rate on customer invoices (this makes receipts cleaner)
- Save your settings
Step 3: Add Local Tax Rates in the United States
- In the Taxes panel, click "Add zip code rate"
- Choose either "ZIP Range" or "ZIP Code" depending on whether you're setting rates for multiple postcodes or just one
- Enter the ZIP codes and their corresponding tax rates
- Save your settings
Quick tip: Tax laws change regularly, so review your rates every few months to make sure they're still accurate. Getting this wrong can be expensive later on.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
Squarespace has some limitations with manual tax setup:
- You can't set different tax rates for specific products
- You can't exempt certain customers from paying tax
- You can't run automated and manual tax systems at the same time
The good news is that Squarespace saves your settings when you switch between automated and manual modes, so you won't lose your work if you need to change approaches.
Common Questions
Can I set different tax rates for different products?
Not yet. All products in your store will use the same tax rates based on the customer's location. Squarespace has mentioned they're working on product-specific tax codes, but there's no timeline for when this will be available.
Can I exempt wholesale customers from paying tax?
No, there's no built-in way to exempt specific customers from tax in Squarespace. All customers will be charged tax according to your manual setup.
What happens if I switch from manual to automated taxes?
Your manual settings are saved, so you can switch back without losing your work. You just can't use both systems simultaneously.
Key Terms
Automated Taxes: Squarespace calculates tax rates automatically based on your business location and current tax laws.
Tax Rule: The guidelines that determine how taxes are applied to your sales.
Tax Exemption: Allows specific customers to purchase without paying sales tax (not available in Squarespace).
Final Thoughts
Manual tax setup in Squarespace gives you solid control over tax collection across different regions. While there are some limitations, it's a reliable way to ensure you're collecting the right amount of tax from customers in different locations.
Always double-check your rates against current tax laws, and consider consulting a tax professional if you're selling across multiple jurisdictions. Getting your tax setup right from the start saves headaches later on.