Yup, each with their own rates, overlapping jurisdictions (state/county/local and even sub-local improvement districts and the like). Each of these may have different rules on what is taxed. For example, here in New Jersey clothing is not subject to sales taxes under most circumstances, unless it is exclusively or largely fur, in which case it is taxed at 6%. Different states also have tax holidays where they suspend taxes on certain categories of goods, such as school-type supplies, during back-to-school times.
There are a few vendors that track these things as a service, such as Vertex. I actually took a look at being a service provider tracking all that and integrating with various shopping cart web apps, precisely because there are so few other providers. It's a lot to track, but it could be done with a relatively small team, and there are associations of state taxing authorities that have standardized some elements, but it's still a load of detail and if you screw up you're on the hook, potentially to both your client and the taxing authority. But it would be a lot of marketing, and the price point for the existing providers is already pretty competitive. Not a lot of room for a new entrant.
So, I decided to attempt saving my sanity and started the charity that brings me here to eBay instead. I hope I made the right decision, lol.
