Kickstarter operates as a marketplace facilitator. In the US, this means we are responsible for collecting and remitting sales tax for items shipped to all 50 US states.
Creators using the Kickstarter Pledge Manager provided tax information for their reward items, and let us know where the rewards will be shipping from. This information enables Kickstarter to determine how much tax each backer is responsible to pay to ensure compliance with applicable tax regulations.
Tax isn’t charged during the campaign because your pledge isn’t a confirmed purchase yet. It’s added during the post-campaign survey in the Pledge Manager based on where you live and what you ordered.
But I have never paid tax on Kickstarter or to this creator before, why now?Kickstarter recently launched its own Pledge Manager and is now legally required to collect and remit sales tax for campaigns that use it. That means taxes are now calculated and charged after the campaign ends, when pledges are finalized. This ensures you’re only charged what’s necessary based on your location and final reward and add-on reward selections.
In the past, most creators used third-party pledge managers that put the tax burden on individual creators, leading to inconsistent experiences where some campaigns overcharged through inflated pricing while others didn't collect taxes at all. Now with Kickstarter's system, you get consistent, transparent tax collection precisely for your location.
Why this helps both backers and creators
- It’s more accurate: You’re only charged the exact tax amount required for your location.
- No hidden costs: We’re not inflating reward prices or shipping fees, it’s a clear and transparent process.