Which state has the lower sales tax nexus threshold, Pennsylvania or Maryland?

Both Pennsylvania and Maryland publish the same economic nexus dollar threshold of $100,000, so a remote seller would reach each state's published threshold at the same level of in-state sales. These are the thresholds published by each state's tax authority as of 2026-05-30; confirm against the official source before registering.

Do both Pennsylvania and Maryland have marketplace facilitator laws?

Yes. Both Pennsylvania and Maryland have marketplace facilitator laws, so marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy, and eBay collect and remit sales tax on the sales they facilitate in both states. Direct-to-consumer sales you make outside a marketplace remain your own responsibility once you cross each state's threshold. Verified 2026-05-30.

Which has the lower sales tax rate, Pennsylvania or Maryland?

Maryland has the lower combined state and local sales tax rate at 6.00%, compared with 6.34% in Pennsylvania. These are the statewide base rate plus the average local rate; the exact rate depends on the customer's delivery address. As of 2026-05-30.

Do I need to register for sales tax in both Pennsylvania and Maryland?

It depends on where you cross each state's economic nexus threshold (or have physical presence there). Pennsylvania's published threshold is $100,000, and Maryland's is $100,000 or 200 transactions. You generally register in a state only once you cross its threshold, so you may have an obligation in one, both, or neither. Run the nexus calculator with your actual sales and confirm with each state's official source. Thresholds as of 2026-05-30.

When did economic nexus take effect in Pennsylvania and Maryland?

Pennsylvania's economic nexus rule took effect on 2019-07-01, and Maryland's took effect on 2018-10-01. Both stem from the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision, which let states require remote sellers to collect once an economic threshold is met.

Pennsylvania vs Maryland Sales Tax Nexus — Comparison 2026

Updated 2026-05-30

Compare economic nexus thresholds, state and local rates, and filing rules in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Metric	Pennsylvania	Maryland
Economic nexus threshold	$100,000	$100,000
Transaction threshold	None	200
State rate	6.00%	6.00%
Avg. local rate	0.34%	n/a
Combined state + local	6.34%	6.00%
Marketplace facilitator	Yes	Yes
Effective since	2019-07-01	2018-10-01

Which state is easier for sellers?

For low-revenue sellers: nexus triggers first in both states because of its threshold. If you cross that first, you register there first.

On rate: Maryland is friendlier for customers with a combined state + local rate of 6.00% vs 6.34%.

Maryland also adds a 200-transaction trigger that Pennsylvania doesn't have.

Pennsylvania — nexus note

Pennsylvania sales tax nexus and economic nexus threshold: more than $100,000 in annual Pennsylvania gross sales, measured by calendar year, creates economic presence for remote sellers and marketplace facilitators (eff. 2019-07-01 under Act 13 of 2019 and Sales and Use Tax Bulletin 2019-01). Pennsylvania uses a sales-only threshold -- no transaction-count test. Gross sales include taxable and nontaxable sales across channels. A marketplace facilitator with no Pennsylvania physical presence counts both facilitated and direct Pennsylvania sales; a marketplace seller counts direct sales plus marketplace sales only when the facilitator does not collect Pennsylvania sales tax on its behalf. After the first collection year, Pennsylvania measures prior calendar-year sales and starts the annual collection period in the second quarter. The state rate is 6%, with local add-ons in Allegheny County (+1%) and Philadelphia (+2%). Pennsylvania 2026 sales/use tax filing calendars list monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and monthly-with-prepayment filer tracks; returns are due even when no taxable transactions occur in the period. Sellers without physical presence can use a Pennsylvania-certified service provider for registration, filing, collection, and remittance support. Pennsylvania DOR source data last retrieved 2026-05-30.

Maryland — nexus note

Economic nexus in Maryland triggers when remote sellers exceed $100,000 in gross sales OR 200 or more separate transactions into Maryland in the current or preceding calendar year — whichever is met first.

What to do next

Use the nexus calculator to check exactly which of Pennsylvania and Maryland you've already triggered. Then read each state's full guide:

Pennsylvania overview →Maryland overview →

Frequently asked questions

Which state has the lower sales tax nexus threshold, Pennsylvania or Maryland?: Both Pennsylvania and Maryland publish the same economic nexus dollar threshold of $100,000, so a remote seller would reach each state's published threshold at the same level of in-state sales. These are the thresholds published by each state's tax authority as of 2026-05-30; confirm against the official source before registering.
Do both Pennsylvania and Maryland have marketplace facilitator laws?: Yes. Both Pennsylvania and Maryland have marketplace facilitator laws, so marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy, and eBay collect and remit sales tax on the sales they facilitate in both states. Direct-to-consumer sales you make outside a marketplace remain your own responsibility once you cross each state's threshold. Verified 2026-05-30.
Which has the lower sales tax rate, Pennsylvania or Maryland?: Maryland has the lower combined state and local sales tax rate at 6.00%, compared with 6.34% in Pennsylvania. These are the statewide base rate plus the average local rate; the exact rate depends on the customer's delivery address. As of 2026-05-30.
Do I need to register for sales tax in both Pennsylvania and Maryland?: It depends on where you cross each state's economic nexus threshold (or have physical presence there). Pennsylvania's published threshold is $100,000, and Maryland's is $100,000 or 200 transactions. You generally register in a state only once you cross its threshold, so you may have an obligation in one, both, or neither. Run the nexus calculator with your actual sales and confirm with each state's official source. Thresholds as of 2026-05-30.
When did economic nexus take effect in Pennsylvania and Maryland?: Pennsylvania's economic nexus rule took effect on 2019-07-01, and Maryland's took effect on 2018-10-01. Both stem from the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision, which let states require remote sellers to collect once an economic threshold is met.

Sources

date_retrieved: Pennsylvania 2026-05-30 · Maryland 2026-05-08