CCH SureTax vs OpenSalesTax

CCH SureTax is a sales and use tax automation platform for retailers and brands selling through multiple channels. It calculates tax in milliseconds for eCommerce, marketplaces, brick-and-mortar locations, and offline sales, with coverage across more than 26,000 U.S. jurisdictions. Nexus monitoring provides a view of states and proximity to thresholds, and helps identify where registration, collection, remittance, and returns may be required. ERP integrations centralize tax determination; the platform also explains which rules apply and why, with citations tracing decisions to their sources. Return services include preparation software and outsourcing for preparing and filing returns. Exemption certificates and marketplace support are included. CCH SureTax uses tax data trusted by the IRS for nearly a decade, and offers support, training, and consulting. Listed service options range from technology-only returns to filing and remittance, and a fully outsourced option with data-point validation. Pricing is available on request. Wolters Kluwer, the provider, is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands, and was founded in 1836.

OpenSalesTax is a free, self-hosted API that calculates sales tax for US transactions using public data and per-state modules. The project says its modules cover 52 jurisdictions, while each published data dump includes all 48 jurisdictions that impose sales tax. The API calculates tax on line items and can break results down by state, county, city, or district. Documented item categories include general goods, clothing, groceries, prescription drugs, prepared food, and digital goods. Its data comes from Streamlined Sales Tax files and state Department of Revenue publications, rather than paid tax feeds. The engine can be installed from source or run with Docker; PostgreSQL is the default, with optional MariaDB support. Access defaults to open with per-IP rate limiting, or can use API keys with per-key limits and usage tracking. Release dumps reflect the SST quarterly file current at release, and the project documents loading newer data. It identifies incomplete sub-state tax stacking for Colorado home-rule cities and Louisiana parish-level collectors. The project says its calculations are not legal or tax advice and advises checking results with the relevant state Department of Revenue before remitting.