Tax Rates and Exemptions

Tax is charged in accordance with local laws in each country. Learn more about the taxes we currently apply and the exemption application process.

• VAT (Value Added Tax)
• India GST (Goods & Services Tax)
• US State Sales Tax
• Tax Rates
• Tax Exemptions
• Summary
   

VAT (Value Added Tax)

• VAT is a tax on consumer spending within the territory of a European Member (E.U.) State. VAT is not included in prices displayed on Bluehost's site. VAT is charged separately and will be itemized on invoices and billing information when applicable.
• As a non-E.U. supplier of web-hosting services to customers in the European Union (E.U.), Bluehost must comply with the European VAT (Value Added Tax) regulations and charge VAT to customers located in the E.U.
• Customers categorized as Business users in the E.U. may be required to self-account for VAT under EC Directive 2006/112, Art 196, using the reverse charge mechanism. For Bluehost to determine if you may fall into this category and not charge you VAT, you must supply all required information.
• If your hosting account accrued charges BEFORE you supplied the necessary information to Bluehost, VAT would be charged on all purchases before the change.

Do you accept VAT tax exemption numbers?
All VAT tax exemptions are handled through the VATIN itself. You must edit the account settings to the proper customer type (Individual [never exempt], Business, or Charity) and enter the VATIN.

Why do you collect sales tax from European Union residents and not from other countries?
As a non-European Union supplier of web hosting services to customers in the European Union, Bluehost must comply with the European VAT (Value Added Tax) regulations and charge VAT to customers located in the European Union.

For more information on whether this applies to you, please read our article on:

• European Union Value Added Tax (VAT)

India GST (Goods & Services Tax)

Effective July 1, 2017, India has increased its Service Tax on electronically supplied services sold by foreign entities to customers located in India to 18%. As part of our ongoing compliance with India Tax Laws, we will be applying the India Service Tax on all of our products sold to Indian customers. If you are exempt from the India Service Tax, please provide your India Goods and Services Tax Registration Number so that we may exempt your purchase from the tax on your next invoice.

US State Sales Tax

Most American states require a tax to be paid on any sale. Some states also impose local county taxes, which would be combined with the state tax to determine your total tax rate. Beginning in March 2018, Bluehost will begin applying State Sales taxes to all applicable orders. Since sales tax rates differ by state, you will need to review your state's taxation policies for specifics. You can find a list of all continental states on the IRS website.

If your business is tax-exempt, please provide your Tax Exemption Number so that we can make the necessary adjustments.

Is Tax Included with My Monthly or Yearly Plan?
If you are outside of the states listed below or the European Union, then we are not required to collect tax (e.g., sales tax, use tax, or VAT) on your account.

United States: Any customers with a billing address in the following states will be required to pay a state sales tax on top of the initial invoice. This does affect current customers and will be applied to recurring charges.

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• New York
• North Carolina
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• New Mexico

European Union: Any customers with a billing address in the European Union will be required to pay the applicable VAT rate on top of the initial invoice. This does affect current customers and will be applied to recurring charges.

India: Any customers with a billing address in India will be required to pay the applicable India Service Tax rate on top of the initial invoice. This does affect current customers and will be applied to recurring charges.

The amount of sales tax or VAT added is indicated on your invoice, which can be viewed and printed at Customer Portal - Billing History.

All currency is in US Dollars (USD).

Tax Rates

What about other countries?
For jurisdictions where Bluehost does not collect sales & use tax or VAT, it is the responsibility of the purchaser to pay any sales & use tax or VAT due, if any. Some jurisdictions require the purchaser to pay a use tax or VAT directly to the state when purchasing from any out-of-state vendors in certain circumstances (i.e., in some jurisdictions, the tax is still due, but Bluehost is not required to collect it). Please consult your accountant or government tax office for specific advice.

Tax Exemptions

If you are a tax-exempt business, you can add your tax exemption number to waive taxes on purchases made through your Bluehost account.

Every state has its rules and required certificate forms, so you must first obtain the correct form from your state's official website and complete it accurately and fully before returning it to us. If you do not fill it out correctly, our Tax Department will send you an email specifying what is still needed.

The form must include:

• Full business name
• Full business address
• Your state-issued exemption number (if applicable)
• Your signature Dated by you as the legal purchaser
• Your Account # / Customer ID # needs to be written on the form
• Be sure the Certificate is to the following address:
  Bluehost.com
  5335 Gate Parkway
  Jacksonville, Florida, 32256

For instructions on how to submit tax exemption documents, check out How to Submit Tax Exemption Documents.

Summary

If you have a web hosting account or plan to buy a domain, understanding tax rates and exemptions is important for businesses operating globally. These factors greatly impact financial planning and compliance. Different countries have different tax structures, so it's important to consider them carefully to minimize taxes. By staying informed and seeking professional advice, businesses can navigate international taxation effectively and maximize profits.