Does Shopify actually set your store automatically to charge the correct tax rate?

[MData]

Again, I seem to find one Shopify page stating it does and then another conflicting help article stating I need to set this up.

I'm getting incredibly frustrated with Shopify and the misleading information.

This page states that I can set my Shopify store to automatically manage tax rates I charge customers?

https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/taxes/canada
"You can set your Shopify store to automatically manage the tax rates you charge to your customers. "

Then this page states that I have to register for PST if I sell taxable goods in Canada.
https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/taxes/canada/canada-tax-reference

"Generally, if you're located in British Columbia, then you need to register for PST if you sell goods or services in British Columbia"

So if I am able to set it automatically would that mean I need to still register for PST? Do I do both? Or just one?

Also do you know where I would go in the settings to set this automatically?

Thank you.

[Greta · Accepted solution]

Hi, @MData!

Thanks for reaching out, I'm happy to provide some context. 

The two pieces of information you shared are about different things. The first point is referring to how Shopify automatically calculates taxes on your orders once you've configured your tax settings. The help document that is from is about how to configure your tax settings within Shopify. The second point is referring to the fact that if you're located in BC and sell goods or services, you'll need to register for PST with the government (not Shopify). The help document that that's from is a general tax guide to help you understand sales taxes in Canada (and not specifically about how tax settings on Shopify). 

Once you set up your taxes by following the steps outlined here, taxes will be charged automatically. You can create tax overrides if you have products where the default rate doesn't apply. 

I hope that makes things more clear! Let me know if you have any other questions.