If you're planning to sell tickets (rather than just collecting donations), you'll need to ensure you're complying with your local tax laws. Here's what you should do, depending on where you're based.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (UK)
Ticket sales are subject to VAT (Value Added Tax) at the standard rate (currently 20%) unless a specific exemption applies (e.g. charity fundraising events, sometimes).
You should:
Register for VAT if your total taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 (or register voluntarily)
Add your VAT number in Stripe
Enable Stripe Tax if you'd like it to handle VAT calculation at checkout
Ensure your Stripe products are set to “taxable” for tickets and “non-taxable” for donations (Social Sync does this automatically)
Ensure you file and pay VAT to HMRC accordingly
⚠️ If you're unsure whether your event is VAT-exempt, seek advice from an accountant.
🇺🇸 United States (US)
Ticket sales are often subject to sales tax, and rules vary by state. You may need to register in multiple states if you reach their individual thresholds (nexus).
You should:
Register for sales tax in your home state (if required)
Consider enabling Stripe Tax to handle calculations per state
Add any state sales tax registrations to your Stripe Tax settings
Let Stripe Tax apply the correct sales tax at checkout (Social Sync flags tickets as taxable)
Make sure you are filing and remitting sales tax in applicable states
⚠️ You can sell tickets without enabling Stripe Tax, but you'll need to track and manage compliance yourself.
🇪🇺 European Union (EU)
Ticket sales are generally subject to VAT, and cross-border thresholds apply if you sell to buyers in other EU countries.
You should:
Register for VAT in your country if required
Enable Stripe Tax to handle multi-country VAT rules
Add your EU VAT registration in Stripe
Ensure tickets are marked taxable (Social Sync does this)
Ensure you are filing VAT returns in your own country and/or other EU states if thresholds are exceeded
✅ Stripe Tax can automatically track these thresholds and let you know when to register.
🇨🇦 Canada
Ticket sales are subject to GST/HST, depending on the province where your buyer is located.
You should:
Register for GST/HST if your annual revenue exceeds CAD 30,000
Enable Stripe Tax to apply the correct provincial rates (e.g., HST in Ontario)
Add your tax registration to Stripe
Confirm ticket sales are marked taxable (Social Sync handles this)
Ensure you are filing and remitting taxes to the CRA
⚠️ Some provinces have separate PST requirements — check with your accountant.
🇦🇺 Australia
Ticket sales are typically subject to GST at 10%.
You should:
Register for GST if your turnover exceeds AUD 75,000
Add your GST registration in Stripe
Optionally enable Stripe Tax to calculate GST
Ensure tickets are flagged taxable
Ensure you are filing and remitting GST to the ATO
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Ticket sales are subject to GST at 15%.
You should:
Register for GST if your turnover exceeds NZD 60,000
Enter your GST registration in Stripe
Enable Stripe Tax to calculate and apply GST (optional)
Confirm tickets are set to taxable
Ensure you are filing and paying GST to Inland Revenue
💡 TL;DR: Should I Enable Stripe Tax?
Region | Enable Stripe Tax? | Why? |
UK | ✅ Recommended | Handles VAT automatically, but you still file with HMRC |
US | ✅ Strongly recommended | Sales tax is complex and varies by state |
EU | ✅ Strongly recommended | Thresholds and rates vary across countries |
Canada | ✅ Recommended | GST/HST varies by province |
Australia | ✅ Optional | Simple flat 10% GST, but Stripe Tax saves time |
NZ | ✅ Optional | 15% GST — simple but easier with automation |
To check if Stripe tax is enabled on your account, please see this article: Selling Tickets with Social Sync: VAT, Sales Tax, and Stripe Tax Explained