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Which other states have a tax on gold and silver?
Executive summary
As of mid‑2025, most U.S. states either exempt at least some forms of investment‑grade gold and silver from sales tax or have enacted partial exemptions; a minority of states still impose sales taxes on certain bullion/coin transactions (notably Maryland and Washington State in 2025 reporting) while some states apply narrow thresholds or purity rules to determine taxability [1] [2] [3]. Available sources emphasize rapid, recent change—about 42 states have removed some or all taxes on purchases of gold and silver, but legislative activity means the status is shifting in 2024–2025 [4] [5].
1. The landscape: broad exemption trend vs. a shrinking set of taxable states
For several years a clear policy trend has been underway: many states have moved to treat investment‑grade precious metals like other investments (exempting them from retail sales tax), and analysts count roughly 42 states having removed some or all sales taxes on gold and silver by early 2024–2025 [4] [5]. That leaves a minority of jurisdictions where sales taxes still apply in some form or where exemptions are narrowly written by purity, form, or transaction size [5] [2].
2. Which states were called out in recent reporting as imposing taxes or limits
Recent reporting singles out Maryland and Washington State as imposing sales taxes on bullion under certain conditions in 2025; Maryland’s Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025 was reported to impose a sales tax on gold and silver bullion and coins unless the transaction exceeded $1,000 or occurred at a specified venue [1]. Washington’s rules were also described as requiring collection of state sales tax (and local sales tax) on bullion as of an October 1, 2025 effective date in one industry blog summary [3]. These examples illustrate that tax exposure today often depends on statutory thresholds and special exceptions, not a simple taxed/untaxed binary [1] [3].
3. Common ways states carve up taxability—thresholds, purity and product form
States commonly exempt bullion that meets purity and form standards (bars and refined bullion) while taxing processed or “numismatic” items, colorized/plated coins, or precious metal products whose value is driven by artistic or collectible features rather than metal content. Some states set dollar thresholds (for example, exemptions applying only to transactions above or below $1,000) or expand definitions to include leaf, foil, film or medallions when metal content determines value [3] [2].
4. Marketplace and dealer guidance reflects variability by destination and product
Major dealers and bullion sellers maintain state‑by‑state guides and calculate tax at checkout because liability often depends on the ship‑to address or where the buyer stores the metal; dealers note that shipping to a tax‑exempt state or depository can change whether they must collect sales tax [6] [7]. Industry lists and interactive maps (dealer sites) underscore that the answer to “which states tax gold and silver?” is transactional and technical, tied to product codes and local rules [2] [6].
5. Fast‑moving politics: pending bills and reversals make the picture unstable
Reporting and advocacy pieces document active legislative efforts in multiple states—some proposing to broaden exemptions, others to add or clarify taxes—so the number of taxable states has been changing rapidly through 2024–2025. Analysts cited legislation pending in states such as Minnesota, Vermont, and others, and note that several states have recently enacted new rules or clarifications [8] [9] [5]. This means any static list risks being out of date quickly [8] [5].
6. How to verify state‑specific liability right now
Because taxability depends on state law language (purity thresholds, product definitions, transaction thresholds) and frequent legislative change, you should verify the current rule by consulting state tax department guidance or the statutory text for the state in question, and check dealer collection policies before purchase—dealer resources and state revenue sites are both commonly used starting points [2] [6].
7. What reporting doesn’t settle and why sources differ
Industry guides, dealer pages, advocacy orgs and news outlets do not always agree on effective dates, statutory thresholds, or whether exemptions are regulatory or statutory; some sources (e.g., dealer pages) emphasize practical checkout collection rules, while policy pieces emphasize the number of states that have eliminated taxes [6] [4]. Available sources do not mention a definitive, single federal rule changing state sales tax treatment; instead coverage focuses on state‑level statutes, regulations and pending bills [4] [5].
Conclusion: If you need a current list for a specific purchase or state, check that state’s revenue department or the exact statute cited in recent reporting, and confirm with the dealer because collection practices follow the most current law and administrative rules [2] [6].