Introduction

http://taxjar.com TaxJar is a cloud-based sales tax automation platform that helps merchants monitor nexus thresholds, calculate accurate sales tax, and manage multi-state compliance. UltraCart’s TaxJar integration connects your orders to TaxJar in real time, allowing TaxJar to calculate tax at checkout and receive finalized order data (when enabled).

This guide walks you through configuring TaxJar within UltraCart and includes a new FAQ section with guidance for exporting historical orders for import into TaxJar.

Prerequisites

Before configuring TaxJar:

• A TaxJar account with access to the SmartCalcs API Token

• Administrator access to your UltraCart account

• Basic understanding of your nexus and filing requirements

• (Optional) Access to UltraCart’s Export Orders tool if you plan to upload historical transactions to TaxJar

Configuring TaxJar in UltraCart

1. Enable TaxJar Integration

1. Navigate to:
   Main Menu → Configuration → Checkout → Sales Tax

2. Locate TaxJar in the list of available providers.

3. Check the Active box.

4. Click Save.
   
   

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2. Open the TaxJar Settings

1. Click Settings next to the TaxJar provider.
   
   

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2. Complete the configuration fields described below.
   
   

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TaxJar Configuration Options

API Token

Paste your TaxJar SmartCalcs Live API Token into the field.

To obtain your token:

1. Log into your TaxJar account at https://app.taxjar.com .

2. Navigate to Account.

3. Select SmartCalcs API in the left navigation.

4. Copy the Live Token displayed.
   
   

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Additional Settings

Test the TaxJar Connection

After entering your API token:

1. Click Test Connection.

2. UltraCart will request the current tax categories and nexus regions from TaxJar.

3. Successful output typically includes ~29–30 tax categories.
   
   

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The test output should look something like this:

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Warning: If you see 0 categories, your API token or account permissions may be incorrect.

Configuring Tax Codes

Item Tax Codes

1. Open an item in the Item Editor.

2. Navigate to the Tax tab (last tab).

3. Select a tax code or search from the list managed by TaxJar.
   
   

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Customer Tax Codes

1. Edit a customer profile.

2. Scroll to the Taxes section at the bottom.

3. Add tax codes or exemption details as needed.
   
   

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   Required TaxJar Configuration within the Customer Profile Editor.

Prerequisite: Tax-exempt customers must also be created inside TaxJar. Copy the customer’s TaxJar Customer Code back into UltraCart.

Shipping Method Tax Codes

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1. Navigate to shipping method configuration.

2. Assign a tax code to each method as needed.

FAQ

How do I export historical order data from UltraCart for import into TaxJar?

TaxJar may request or require historical transaction data so it can:

• Determine economic nexus thresholds

• Assess current liability per state

• Provide more accurate compliance monitoring

UltraCart does not automatically send past/historical orders to TaxJar.
You must export them manually using the Export Orders tool.

Step 1 — Create or Reuse an Export Mapping

If you do not yet have an export mapping:

1. Navigate to:
   Main Menu → Configuration → Back Office → Exporting Orders

2. Click New to create a mapping.

3. Select your preferred format (CSV is generally acceptable for TaxJar history imports).

4. Add required fields such as:

   • Order ID

   • Order Date

   • Customer billing/shipping address

   • Order total

   • Tax collected

   • Line items (if desired)
     See the attached Export Orders PDF for all field definitions.

5. Save the mapping.
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Step 2 — Export Historical Orders

1. Navigate to:
   Main Menu → Operations → Order Management → Export Orders

2. Choose your mapping from the Export Mapping dropdown.

3. Set your Order Location (e.g., Completed).

4. Use the Date Range selector to choose the historical period you need.

5. Click Export to download the file.

Tip: XLS exports are limited to 20,000 records per batch. Use CSV or XML if you have more data (recommended for long-time merchants).

Step 3 — Import the File into TaxJar

TaxJar supports historical order uploads, typically via CSV.

As of the latest available information, merchants may:

• Upload transactions through the Transactions section of the TaxJar Dashboard,

• Use the Import CSV button if available, or

• Provide the file to TaxJar Support for ingestion.

Because TaxJar occasionally changes the file format requirements, headers, and import workflow, please refer to:

TaxJar Support Documentation: https://support.taxjar.com
or contact: support@taxjar.com

Important: TaxJar may require specific field names or formatting. Always verify your exported CSV matches their import template.

If I refund an order in UltraCart, why does it replace the original transaction in TaxJar?

TaxJar’s API processes refunds as adjustments to the original transaction. TaxJar manages these records internally; this behavior is expected.

Why does TaxJar show nearly twice as many API requests as orders?

UltraCart makes rating calls throughout the checkout process whenever calculation-relevant data changes (cart updates, address changes, etc.).
Caching minimizes requests but cannot eliminate them.
A higher API call count is normal and expected.

Next Steps

• Configure Item Tax Codes for accurate calculations.

• Review your nexus obligations inside TaxJar.

• Consider exporting historical data if TaxJar requires it for threshold monitoring.

• Review related documentation:

  • Export Orders – Order Management Tools

  • Sales Tax Configuration Overview

  • Customer Tax Exemptions and TaxJar Customer Codes

TaxJar Knowledgebase Articles

Add or remove states from your dashboard