Tax Evasion 101 (Legally): The Best US Zip Codes for Tax-Free eShop Shopping
By The HC TOPUP Team | Category: Nintendo Pro-Tips | Read Time: 9 Minutes
You’ve found the perfect indie gem on the Nintendo eShop. It’s on sale for $19.99. You’ve got exactly $20 in your account from a gift card you just redeemed. You hit "Proceed to Purchase," feeling like a winner.
Then, the "Hidden Boss" of the checkout screen appears: Sales Tax.
Suddenly, your $19.99 game becomes $21.85. You’re short by $1.85. You can’t buy the game. You’re frustrated. You’re stuck.
If you are using a US Nintendo Account from outside the States—whether you are in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, or Europe—this is the most common mistake you can make. But here is the good news: In the digital world, your "residency" is defined by five digits.
Today, I’m going to show you the legal "Tax-Free" trick that every veteran Switch owner uses to save nearly 10% on every single purchase. No VPNs, no hacks—just smart configuration.
1. Why is Nintendo Charging Me Extra?
Unlike many other regions, the United States does not have a flat "VAT" (Value Added Tax) included in the price. Instead, sales tax is determined by the State and Zip Code you entered when you set up your profile.
If you randomly picked a zip code for New York (8.8%), California (7.25%+), or Washington (6.5%+), Nintendo is legally obligated to collect that tax on behalf of that state.
For a $60 AAA title like Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, you are effectively throwing away $5 to $6 on taxes that you don't even need to pay if you live outside the US.
2. The "Big Five": US Tax-Free States
There are five states in the US that have 0% State Sales Tax. When you set your eShop location to a zip code within these states, the price you see is exactly the price you pay.
Here is your "Golden List" of zip codes to use:
Pro-Tip: Oregon (97330) is the "community favorite." It is the most widely used zip code by international Switch gamers and is 100% reliable for bypassing digital sales tax.
3. How to Change Your Zip Code (Step-by-Step)
You don't need to create a new account to fix this. You can change your existing US account's location right now.
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Open the eShop on your Nintendo Switch.
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Select your Profile Icon in the top right corner.
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Scroll down to "Location Settings" (or it may prompt you when you attempt a purchase).
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Enter 97330 (Oregon).
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Save and Exit.
Wait! What if I have a balance?
If you have exactly $0.00 in your account, you can change your region/zip code freely. However, if you have remaining funds (even $0.01), Nintendo might block you from changing regions.
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The Fix: This is why we recommend sticking to the US Region and just changing the Zip Code within the US. Changing Zip Codes usually works even with a balance!
4. The HC TOPUP Strategy: Maximize Your Gold Points
By using a tax-free zip code, your gift card balance goes much further.
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Standard Way: Buy a $50 card -> Buy a $49.99 game -> Pay $4.50 tax -> Total $54.49 (You need to buy another card just to cover the tax).
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The Pro Way: Buy a $50 card from HC TOPUP -> Buy a $49.99 game in Oregon -> Pay $0 tax -> Total $49.99.
You are left with 0.01 in your balance,PLUS you get the full 52.5 to spend on your next DLC or Indie game. You are effectively "Double Dipping" on savings.
5. Is This Legal?
Yes. You are not "hacking" Nintendo. You are simply choosing the location of your digital residency. For digital nomads, expats, and international players, using a US account is a legitimate way to access games that are unavailable or overpriced in their local regions. Nintendo allows you to change these settings because people move.
The only thing Nintendo cares about is that the Gift Card Currency matches the Store Region. As long as you are using US eShop Cards from a trusted source like HC TOPUP, your account is safe.
6. Conclusion: Stop Leaving Money on the Table
In gaming, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go toward your next adventure. Switching to an Oregon or Delaware zip code is a "one-time setup" that pays dividends for the life of your console.
Ready to fill your library?
Don't let taxes eat your budget. Grab a US eShop card, set your zip to 97330, and start playing.
[Buy Discounted US Nintendo eShop Cards Here]
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