Streaming Tax Calculator 2026
Pick your state and the services you pay for. We will show you the exact tax line your state adds to Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max — and how much that costs you per year.
TL;DR — What you should know about streaming tax in 2026
- Around 32 states + DC now tax streaming. The list grows almost every legislative session.
- Florida charges the highest combined rate (7.44% via CST). Chicago adds a separate 9% Amusement Tax on top of Illinois state.
- California, New York, Massachusetts are the biggest tax-free holdouts — for now. Bills are pending in all three.
- A typical $60/month streaming stack in Florida pays ~$54 in extra tax per year versus the same stack in California.
California: No streaming tax
Digital goods/SVOD currently exempt from sales tax.
Subtotal
$29.98
Tax (0.00%)
$0.00
Monthly total
$29.98
Annual tax
$0.00
See your bill in the 13 biggest states (click to expand)
| State | Rate | Monthly tax | Annual tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | exempt | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Texas | 6.25% | $1.87 | $22.48 |
| Florida | 7.44% | $2.23 | $26.77 |
| New York | exempt | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Pennsylvania | 6.00% | $1.80 | $21.59 |
| Illinois | 0.00% | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Ohio | 5.75% | $1.72 | $20.69 |
| Georgia | exempt | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | $1.42 | $17.09 |
| Michigan | exempt | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| New Jersey | 6.63% | $1.99 | $23.83 |
| Washington | 6.50% | $1.95 | $23.38 |
| Tennessee | 7.00% | $2.10 | $25.18 |
How streaming gets taxed differently from cable
The big shift since 2018 is that most states have stopped pretending streaming is just another sales-tax category. Three different frameworks now compete for the same dollar:
- Sales / use tax — the default in roughly 28 states. SVOD is treated like any other digital good. Washington, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Tennessee fall here.
- Communications Services Tax (CST) — Florida and Kentucky carved streaming out of regular sales tax and slotted it into the same bucket as cable TV. CST rates tend to run 0.5-2 points higher than the equivalent sales tax.
- Amusement / entertainment tax — Chicago is the famous example. The city argued in 2015 that streaming a movie is functionally identical to watching one at a theater, which is taxable amusement. Other cities have eyed similar moves.
The practical consequence: the same $80 streaming stack costs about $86.30 in Tampa, $87.20 in Chicago, and exactly $80.00 in Los Angeles. Over a year, that gap pays for a Disney+ annual plan.
Frequently asked questions
Which states tax streaming services in 2026?
Around 32 US states plus DC apply some form of tax. Big exempt states include California, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Virginia, Georgia, Missouri, Oregon, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Nevada. Florida applies the highest combined rate (7.44% via CST). Chicago levies a separate 9% Amusement Tax even though Illinois itself does not tax SVOD at the state level.
Why is streaming tax higher in Florida and Chicago?
Florida classifies streaming under its Communications Services Tax, which sits above ordinary sales tax. Chicago's 9% Amusement Tax was extended to SVOD by a 2015 ruling treating streaming as an amusement equivalent to live entertainment. Both are deliberate policy moves to capture revenue from a fast-growing category.
Does shared-plan tax differ from buying retail?
Shared-plan slot resellers like GamsGo invoice from their own jurisdiction, which may not match yours — you may see no US sales tax line or a different rate. Family accounts where one user pays retail are taxed at that payer's billing-address rate.
How accurate are these 2026 rates?
Rates reflect state statutes and DOR guidance verified in May 2026. They do not include local add-ons unless a single dominant local rate exists. Real bills can vary by about 0.5-2 percentage points depending on your zip code and the service provider's nexus position.
Why does Netflix charge me tax but Apple TV+ does not?
Apple, Google, and Amazon often bundle billing through their app store, where the storefront's tax rules apply. Netflix, Hulu, and Max bill directly and follow each state's enumerated digital-goods law. If a service skips tax in a state where it should apply, the burden technically shifts to you as use tax.
Will more states start taxing streaming?
The trend is one-way. Kansas added SVOD tax in 2024, Kentucky added a 3% telecom excise on video in 2023, Maryland expanded its digital-products tax in 2021. Bills are pending in California, New York, and Virginia for 2026-2027. Cable franchise fees are eroding, and SVOD is the obvious replacement revenue.
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Last updated: May 27, 2026. Rates reviewed against state Department of Revenue guidance and the Avalara digital goods matrix. Florida CST rate is the statewide average; Chicago Amusement Tax is footnoted separately. This tool produces an estimate, not a binding tax determination — consult your CPA for actual filings. SubSaver is editorially independent; some links to streaming services and plan-sharing services may be affiliate links.