WorkflowsReal-time API

Overview

TaxCloud’s Sales Tax API is designed to plug into any ecommerce, order-management, or point-of-sale system. The real-time API flow is simple and modular, built around three main actions:

  1. Create a cart to calculate a real-time sales tax calculation.
  2. (Optional) Apply tax exemptions before converting the cart for reporting.
  3. Convert the cart into an order after a successful payment.

Each of these steps is covered in its own dedicated guide, allowing you to explore the implementation at your own pace and depth.

Why Use This Flow

This integration pattern is designed to provide:

  • Real-time tax accuracy, calculated down to the most basic level.
  • A single source of truth — the order object serves as your tax and audit record.
  • Flexibility and scalability, with support for refunds, multiple destinations, and marketplace scenarios as your needs evolve.

Core API Endpoints

EndpointWhen to UseTypical Payload
/cartsUse during checkout to show a tax calculation. Calculate a tax calculation to display to the customer before they check out or complete the order. Call this whenever the cart changes. For e-commerce platforms, this concept corresponds to the customer’s shopping cart, but it can also be used in other contexts when you need to display a tax calculation before the order is finalized. When the customer checks out, convert the cart into an order.Items, origin/destination, prices
/ordersCall after order submission to finalize a sale. Usually created from a cart.cartID, orderID, completedDate (optional)

Integration Workflow

Here’s a step-by-step look at how to integrate TaxCloud into your checkout flow:

  1. Configure your TaxCloud account
    Set up your business profile, define nexus states, and register your business locations.
    → See: Setup & Authentication

  2. Authenticate
    Use your API Key and ConnectionID to authenticate. You can verify your connection with the ping endpoint.

  3. Create a cart
    Each time a customer updates their cart (changes quantity, address, or items), create or update a cart via the API.
    → See: Calculate Tax with Carts

  4. (Optional) Attach an exemption certificate
    If the customer is tax-exempt, you can upload or auto-match an exemption certificate before finalizing the order.
    → See: Handling Exemptions

  5. Convert the cart into an order
    Once payment is successful, convert the cart into an order using the orders endpoint.
    → See: Convert Carts to Orders

  6. Reconcile and file
    All completed orders automatically flow into your TaxCloud dashboard for filing and reporting.