To sell online in Texas you need four things: a store or catalog, a card processor, a Texas sales tax permit if you sell taxable items, and clear shipping and return terms. Stripe, Shopify Payments, Square, and PayPal all work for Texas businesses and publish their rates, so you can compare them before you build anything.
The problem? Many businesses launch the store first and only then learn they should have registered for a sales tax permit, or that their platform charges extra when they use another processor. And the opportunity is real: e-commerce made up 17.1% of US retail sales in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Census Bureau (seasonally adjusted).
This article reflects the rates and rules in place when it was reviewed in October 2026. Processors change their pricing: always confirm current terms on each provider's page.
How do you set up an online store in Texas?
- Decide where you sell: your own store (Shopify, WooCommerce, or custom), a marketplace like Amazon or Etsy, or both.
- Pick your card processor before you build, and confirm it integrates with your platform.
- Get a Texas sales tax permit before your first taxable sale. It's free, and the Comptroller says to allow two to three weeks.
- Set shipping and return terms you can actually meet, and publish them.
- Show sales tax correctly on every invoice or receipt.
- Measure which channel sells, not just how many visits your store gets.
What does it cost to accept credit cards online?
Published US rates for online card payments, as of October 2026:
| Processor | Online card rate | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% + 30¢ per domestic card payment | International cards and currency conversion cost extra |
| Shopify Payments | 2.9% + 30¢ on the Basic plan | Lower rates on higher plans; using another processor adds a Shopify fee that depends on your plan |
| Square | 3.3% + 30¢ on the free plan; 2.9% + 30¢ on paid plans | In-person rates are lower |
| PayPal Checkout | 3.49% + a fixed fee | Card-only options have their own rates |
One honest caveat: the lowest rate isn't always the cheapest. Count the monthly plan, international and premium-card surcharges, chargeback fees, and how fast you get paid.
Do you need a Texas sales tax permit to sell online?
If your business is located in Texas and you sell taxable items or services, yes, whether you sell online or in person. A few points that trip up new online sellers:
- Marketplaces collect for you, but you still need a permit. Amazon, eBay, Walmart Marketplace, and Etsy collect and remit Texas sales tax on sales made through them, but the Comptroller says a Texas seller still needs its own permit and must file returns, even if it sells only through a marketplace.
- Show the tax separately. The tax must be stated separately on the bill or invoice, or you must state in writing that the price includes sales tax. "All taxes included" isn't specific enough.
- Keep records for at least four years: receipts, invoices, and shipping records.
- Your store's software may be taxed too. Texas taxes software as a service as data processing, on 80% of the charge.
Rates go up to 8.25% combined, which is the rate in Austin. Confirm how sourcing and rates apply to your business with a Texas tax professional.
What shipping rules apply to online orders?
The FTC's Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule applies. You need a reasonable basis for any shipping time you advertise, or for shipping within 30 days if you don't state one. If you can't ship on time, you must ask the customer to agree to the delay or promptly refund the money for what you haven't shipped.
How do you take card payments securely?
- Never store card data on your site or in spreadsheets; let the processor handle it.
- Use a PCI DSS-compliant processor with 3-D Secure.
- Keep your site updated and served over HTTPS.
- Handle customer data with care. The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act generally exempts SBA-defined small businesses, but even they need consent before selling sensitive data. A consent tool like Andes Consent blocks tracking tags until the visitor agrees.
We've worked with financial institutions on credit and debit card platforms, and the rule is the same for a small store: payment data should never pass through anywhere it doesn't need to. See the case.
Shopify, WooCommerce, or a custom store?
| Option | Works when | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | You want to launch fast without managing servers | Basic costs $39 a month, or $29 a month billed yearly |
| WooCommerce | You already run WordPress and want control | It needs ongoing maintenance and updates |
| Custom | You have unique processes, many integrations, or high volume | Higher upfront investment |
To compare costs, read how much a business website costs, and if you're weighing buy versus build, build or buy software?.
What if you also sell in Honduras?
If your Texas business opens operations in Honduras, the rules change: Stripe and Shopify Payments aren't available to businesses based there, so stores use local gateways or a bank's e-commerce service, and every invoice needs a CAI authorized by the SAR. We explain it in invoicing in Honduras for Texas companies.
Want to sell online without payment surprises?
We'll help you pick a platform and processor that work together, connect payments to your invoicing and inventory, and keep your store updated and monitored. Explore our cloud, security and operations service or custom software development.
Sources
- Stripe, US pricing: https://stripe.com/us/pricing
- Square, US pricing: https://squareup.com/us/en/pricing
- PayPal, US business fees: https://www.paypal.com/us/business/paypal-business-fees
- Shopify, Pricing: https://www.shopify.com/pricing
- U.S. Census Bureau, Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales, 2nd quarter 2026 (August 18, 2026): https://www.census.gov/retail/ecommerce.html
- Texas Comptroller, Sales and use tax permit: https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/permit/
- Texas Comptroller, Marketplace providers and sellers: https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/sales/marketplace-providers-sellers.php
- 34 Texas Administrative Code §3.286 (Cornell LII): https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/34-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-3-286
- FTC, Business guide to the Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/business-guide-ftcs-mail-internet-or-telephone-order-merchandise-rule
- Texas Attorney General, Texas Data Privacy and Security Act: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint/consumer-privacy-rights/texas-data-privacy-and-security-act
- Stripe, Global availability: https://stripe.com/global
- Shopify Help, Shopify Payments supported countries: https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/payments/shopify-payments/supported-countries
- Texas Comptroller, Taxable Services (Publication 96-259): https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/publications/96-259.php