Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. They sell tickets for concerts, sporting events, theater shows, and more. When customers purchase tickets on Ticketmaster, the final price they pay includes more than just the base ticket price. Ticketmaster adds on various fees and also collects sales tax on behalf of local jurisdictions.
Ticket Price
The first part of any Ticketmaster order is the base ticket price. This is the amount that the event organizer or venue sets for the ticket. Ticketmaster does not determine or control the base ticket price. This price varies greatly depending on the event, venue, seat location, date, and other factors.
Service Fees
In addition to the ticket price, Ticketmaster adds on a variety of service and convenience fees to each order. These fees are how Ticketmaster makes money and covers the costs of operating its platform and services. Some common Ticketmaster fees include:
- Processing fee – This applies to all ticket orders and ranges from $0-$20+ per ticket.
- Order handling fee – A flat per-order fee, usually around $5-$10.
- Delivery fee – For mail or electronic ticket delivery.
- Facility charge – Some venues charge an additional facility fee per ticket.
The exact fees applied to an order vary based on the event, delivery method, and more. In most states, service fees are exempt from sales tax.
Sales Tax
The final part of a Ticketmaster order is sales tax. Ticketmaster is required to collect sales tax on the taxable portions of ticket orders based on state and local tax laws. The amount of sales tax owed depends on:
- The tax rates in effect at the event venue location.
- Which parts of the order are considered taxable by law.
In most states, only the base ticket price is subject to sales tax. Service fees, delivery fees, and other charges are exempt from sales tax in many places. However, policies vary in some areas – for example, in New York City, certain service fees are also taxable.
Sales Tax Rates
Sales tax rates vary widely across the United States. Some example state sales tax rates include:
State | State Sales Tax Rate |
---|---|
California | 7.25% |
Texas | 6.25% |
Florida | 6% |
New York | 4% |
In addition to state sales tax, many local municipalities add on their own local sales tax. Combined state and local rates can be as high as 10% or more in some areas.
Tax-Exempt Tickets
In some cases, ticket purchases may be exempt from sales tax:
- Tickets for nonprofit events held by tax-exempt organizations like charities or schools may qualify as tax-exempt.
- Some states exempt tickets from sales tax during certain time periods or on certain days of the year.
- Certain customers like wholesalers, resellers, or government agencies may have tax-exempt status.
Customers are usually required to provide documentation proving their tax-exempt status to avoid paying sales tax on eligible Ticketmaster purchases.
Estimating Ticketmaster Taxes & Fees
The best way to estimate the total taxes and fees for a Ticketmaster order is to proceed through the checkout process but stop before completing payment. The final order review page will show a detailed breakdown of all charges including:
- Ticket base price
- Itemized service fees
- Sales tax
- Order total
Customers can use this estimated breakdown to determine if the total cost of tickets meets their budget before placing the order.
More Resources on Ticketmaster Taxes
For more details on Ticketmaster’s policies for taxes and fees, customers can consult:
- Ticketmaster’s support page on taxes: https://help.ticketmaster.com/s/article/What-are-all-the-different-taxes-and-fees-I-see-on-my-ticket?language=en_US
- Terms of Use – Tax section: https://www.ticketmaster.com/h/terms.html
- Contact Ticketmaster Fan Support phone line: 1-800-653-8000
Ticketmaster also provides detailed receipts showing a full breakdown of charges for each completed order.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster ticket orders are subject to three primary charges:
- The base ticket price set by the event host.
- Various service and convenience fees collected by Ticketmaster.
- Sales tax on the ticket price based on applicable state and local rates.
Service fees are generally exempt from sales tax. Customers can estimate their total order cost including taxes and fees by going through the checkout process on Ticketmaster but stopping before completion.