What is trailing nexus?

Most states make you keep filing for a while after you drop below their threshold. California runs through the next full calendar year. Texas uses a rolling twelve months. We track each state's rule so you cancel on the right date, not too early.

Will I get in trouble for canceling a permit?

Not if you do it in the right order. We file every outstanding and final return first, then guide the cancellation. The real risk is canceling early or skipping a final return, which is exactly what we prevent.

Which platforms do you support?

Amazon, Shopify and WooCommerce, with BigCommerce, Etsy, Walmart and eBay supported through manual entry. You can also enter your states by hand on any platform.

Do you file my returns?

Yes. During the wind-down we file the zero-dollar returns so nothing lapses, and once you're deregistered in a state there's nothing left to file.

How is this different from Avalara or TaxJar?

They help you register and file more. We help you deregister and file less. We only charge for the states you keep.

No. TrailingZero is software that flags deregistration opportunities and handles filings. For complex situations we tell you when to bring in your accountant.

Is TrailingZero live?

Yes. Free audits are live now — run yours in minutes. Connect a store read-only or enter your registered states by hand to see which you can cancel and what it saves.

What is the economic nexus threshold in California?

$500,000 in sales, measured over preceding or current calendar year, in effect since April 2019.

Do marketplace sales count toward economic nexus in California?

Yes, they count toward the threshold even though the marketplace collects the tax.

No. This page is general education built from public sources and the rules change often. Confirm your specific situation with the state's tax authority or your accountant before you register or deregister.

Economic nexus

California economic nexus threshold

California's economic nexus rule decides when out-of-state sellers must collect sales tax. Here's the current threshold, how it's measured, and how the transaction-count rule has changed.

By John DoeReviewed by Jane Doe, CPAUpdated June 2026How we verify

Sales threshold: $500,000
Transaction threshold: Removed
Logic: sales only
Measured over: preceding or current calendar year
Effective: April 2019

Source: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)

Nexus & savings calculator

Estimate whether you still have nexus in California — and what canceling could save.

State

Annual sales into California

Transactions (orders) per year

California no longer counts transactions — only sales matter here.

I have physical presence hereFBA/3PL inventory, an employee, or an office in California

Filing frequency

Cost per return

Physical presence
Sales over $500,000
Transactions (not counted here)

Likely eligible to cancel

Based on these numbers you likely no longer have nexus in California. You can usually deregister after clearing the trailing-nexus window and filing your final return.

Trailing nexus: California applies trailing nexus — expect to keep filing for roughly 12 months after your nexus ends. Confirm the exact window before canceling.

You could stop paying

$600/ yr

How to cancel in California →

Estimate only — general education, not tax advice. Confirm with California's tax authority before you register or deregister.

What is economic nexus in California?

Economic nexus means you can owe sales tax in California based purely on your sales volume there — no physical presence required. It traces to the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair decision. California's threshold took effect April 2019.

Today the threshold is $500,000 in sales, measured over preceding or current calendar year.

The transaction-count history

California used to trigger nexus at 200 transactions but removed that count in April 2019 — only the sales figure matters now.

That matters because the 200-transaction prong used to catch very small sellers — 200 orders can be just a few thousand dollars of sales. If transactions were the only reason you registered in California, that trigger is gone.

What counts toward the threshold

Total combined gross sales of tangible personal property for delivery in California, including both taxable and non-taxable (e.g., resale/wholesale) sales; sales by all related persons under IRC §267(b) are aggregated; marketplace-facilitated sales count toward the individual seller's threshold even when the marketplace collects and remits the tax

Marketplace-facilitated sales (Amazon, Etsy, eBay) count toward your California threshold even when the marketplace remits the tax.

Where TrailingZero fits

TrailingZero connects to your store read-only, maps where you actually have nexus state by state, and tracks your sales against California's threshold so you register only when you truly cross it — and deregister when you fall below. During any wind-down it can file the zero-dollar returns so nothing lapses — and you only pay for the states you genuinely keep. Run a free audit anytime; this page is free education either way.

California Economic nexus FAQ

What is the economic nexus threshold in California?: $500,000 in sales, measured over preceding or current calendar year, in effect since April 2019.
Did California remove the 200-transaction rule?: California used to trigger nexus at 200 transactions but removed that count in April 2019 — only the sales figure matters now.
Do marketplace sales count toward economic nexus in California?: Yes, they count toward the threshold even though the marketplace collects the tax.
Is this tax advice?: No. This page is general education built from public sources and the rules change often. Confirm your specific situation with the state's tax authority or your accountant before you register or deregister.

See what you can stop paying in California

Run a free audit and see which registrations you can drop — in minutes, no card required.

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Other states

See all states →

Sources

Primary sources reviewed for this page. Data current as of June 2026.

TrailingZerois software, not a CPA or law firm, and this page is general education — not tax or legal advice. State rules and thresholds change frequently; confirm your situation with the state's tax authority or your accountant before you register or deregister. See how we research and review this data in our editorial & accuracy policy.