Filing your Indiana sales tax return doesn’t have to be complicated, especially with the state’s INTIME (Indiana Taxpayer Information Management Engine) portal. Businesses can file and pay their returns online through INTIME, the official system managed by the Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR).
To use the system, you must first register for a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate (RRMC) and create an INTIME account. Once set up, you’ll be ready to collect, report, and remit Indiana sales tax as required.
This guide walks you through what you need to prepare, how due dates are scheduled, and the step-by-step process of filing your return. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to file on time, avoid penalties, and stay compliant with Indiana’s sales tax rules.What You Need Before Filing
Before filing your sales tax return, you must prepare specific records to ensure your report is accurate. Here are the standard documents required to file a sales tax return in Indiana.- Indiana Taxpayer Account Number (RRMC Number): Issued when you register for your Registered Retail Merchant Certificate. This number identifies your business in the INTIME system.
- INTIME Username and Password: Created during registration. If you don’t have login credentials, you can set them up through the INTIME portal.
- Sales Records: Collect gross sales figures for the reporting period, including taxable sales, exempt sales, and any deductions.
- Use Tax Information: If you owe use tax (for example, on taxable out-of-state purchases where no tax was collected), be ready to include these amounts.
- Bank Account Information: For electronic payments, have your bank routing and account numbers ready.
- Local Sales Data: Indiana requires reporting sales at the state level, but additional taxes (like food and beverage or county innkeeper’s tax) may apply depending on your business type.
- Filing Frequency Schedule: Indiana assigns filing frequency based on your business’s tax liability. This is noted in your RRMC paperwork or available through your INTIME account.
Step-by-Step: How to File Indiana Sales Tax Online
The Indiana online filing process is a straightforward sequence of data entry and review steps. While the interface may change slightly over time, the core workflow remains the same. Step 1. Go to the Indiana Taxpayer Information Management Engine (INTIME) portal. Step 2. Enter your Account Credentials: Log in using your username and password. Check your shared email/phone number and enter the OTP when applicable.
Step 3. Prepare your Ecommerce Sales Tax Data (e.g., Taxes Report from Shopify).
Step 4. Under the Requires Attention section, click File Return beside the sales tax period you’re filing.
Step 5. Enter your Total Sales based on your Shopify or accounting report, then click Next.
Step 6. Verify deductions, exemptions, or adjustments if applicable, then click Next.
Step 7. Review the return summary and ensure all figures match your records, then proceed by clicking Next.
Step 8. Choose your Payment Option (ACH debit or credit card) and click Next.
Step 9. Review all details once more, then click Submit to finalize your return.
Step 10. Save the confirmation in your preferred location for recordkeeping purposes. Keeping online records using Google Drive is a common option.
Helpful Tip: You can click “Save and Submit Later” anytime to avoid losing progress if there’s an interruption or system timeout.
Due Dates
Indiana sales tax returns and payments are generally due the last day of the month following the reporting period. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. Here’s how Indiana sets filing frequencies and deadlines:| FREQUENCY | REQUIREMENT | REPORTING PERIOD | DUE DATE |
| Anually | Average monthly liability is less than $200 | January – December | January 31 |
| Monthly | Average monthly liability exceeds $1,000, OR default for new businesses | Monthly | 20th of the following month (e.g., January return due February 20) |
| Quarterly | Average monthly liability is between $200 and $1,000 |
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20th of the month following the quarter (Apr 20, Jul 20, Oct 20, Jan 20) |
Timely Filing Discount
Many states encourage early filing of sales and use tax returns with a vendor/filing discount. Indiana does offer such a discount as of June 2019. Here are the details:- If your total annual sales tax collected is less than $60,000, you qualify for a discount of 0.73% of the tax paid.
- If your total annual collection is between $60,000 and $600,000, the discount is 0.53%.
- If your total annual collection is more than $600,000, the discount drops to 0.26%.
Filing Amended Returns
If you discover an error on your Indiana sales tax return, you can file an amended return through the INTIME portal. Here’s how:- Log in to INTIME: Use your existing username and password.
- Navigate to the “Sales Tax” account: Select the account associated with your business.
- Locate the return to amend: Find the period you want to correct under your “Filing History.”
- Select “Amend Return”: Choose the option to amend and update your figures.
- Submit changes: Double-check your updated amounts, then resubmit through INTIME.
Filing Zero Returns in Indiana
If you have a sales tax permit in Indiana, you are required to file a return for each assigned filing period, even if you collected no sales tax. This is known as a zero return. Failure to file a zero return when required can result in penalties and interest.Other Filing Methods in Indiana
If you’re unable to file online, the Indiana State Tax Commission provides limited alternatives:- File with TaxHero – Let TaxHero’s team of experts handle your Indiana sales tax filings for you. We’ll prepare, file, and manage your returns accurately and on time so you can focus on running your business.
- File by Paper: Electronic filing is mandatory for all Indiana businesses. Check with the Indiana Department of Revenue only if you believe your business is eligible for an exception to file by paper.
- File using a Third-Party Service: Many businesses outsource their sales tax filing to accountants, bookkeepers, or tax-automation companies. These parties often have experience with Indiana’s ST-103 form and can help avoid common errors.