How to Get a Seller’s Permit in Washington D.C

  • Compliance
Learn how to register your business in the state and obtain a seller’s permit in Washington D.C. with our step-by-step guide.
Starting a business in Washington is an exciting venture, but it’s crucial to understand the legal requirements that come with it. A common area of confusion for many new business owners is understanding the need for a Business License in Washington D.C., also known as a seller’s permit This permit allows you to collect sales tax on taxable products and services from customers in Washington.
This blog will guide you through each step of applying for a sales tax permit, with clear instructions to help you and your business begin collecting sales tax effortlessly.
  Related Topics:

Who Needs a Seller’s Permit in Washington D.C?

A business must register for a sales tax permit in Washington D.C if:

How to Register for a Seller’s Permit in Washington D.C?

When applying for a seller’s permit in Washington D.C., you can use the online application process on the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue website to complete your sales tax registration.
 

1. Where to Apply for a Seller’s Permit in Washington D.C?

The first step to register for a sales tax permit online is to go to My Tax DC website and click the title “Register a New Business – Form FR-500” under the ‘Business’ section.
Once you click this title, you will be led to a Business Registration landing page where you must complete your online tax registration form.

2. What Information Do You Need To Get A Seller’s Permit in Washington D.C?

To successfully acquire a seller’s permit in Washington D.C., it’s important to prepare and provide specific information and documents. The following is a list of the necessary information and documents required to register a sales tax permit in Washington D.C.:
  • Business Identification Information: Legal Business Name, Physical Address, Mailing Address 
  • Business Entity Structure (i.e., sole proprietorship, partnership, Subchapter S Corp., corporation, LLC, etc.)
  • Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN or FEIN)
  • Name, Title, Address, and SSN of owners, partners, or officers 
  • Business Activity Details: Date & State of Incorporation, start date with Washington D.C. (nexus start date), Estimated Annual Taxable Sales in Washington D.C.
  • Based on your entity type, you might need to upload your Articles of Incorporation or Organizatio
  • NAICS Code
Note: Remember to select “outside Washington state” when you’re filling out the “Select State Option” if you are a remote/out-of-state seller.

3. How Much are the Fees for Applying for and Renewing a Seller’s Permit in Washington D.C?

Registering for a sales tax permit in Washington D.C. is free. However, you are charged a $50 processing fee for registering your business with Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. sales tax permit must be renewed every two (2) or four (4) years unless otherwise specified.
 

4. What are Other Ways to Register for a Seller’s Permit in Washington D.C?

  • Use TaxHero. Registering for a seller’s permit, mainly when it involves multiple permits, can be a tedious and time-consuming task requiring much effort. Let the experts at TaxHero save you from this hassle, and let us handle the registration process in all states where you have nexus as part of our all-inclusive sales tax service.
 

What’s Next?

When you’re done filling out your registration form, click submit. You will be redirected to a confirmation page that will show you your confirmation number. The Secure Access Washington (SAW) will also send you an email confirmation after your application is approved.
The state of Washington D.C. will be processing your Business License Application within 10 business days. For city or state endorsements, waiting time is another 3 weeks.
Once you receive your letter from the Office of Tax and Revenue, take note of the notice number. You will need this to create your MyTax.DC.gov account to manage your taxes online.
Obtaining a seller’s permit requires you to collect sales tax for eligible sales in Washington D.C. The document will also specify your filing frequency for sales tax returns and due dates.
If you ever encounter any difficulties, have any questions, or prefer TaxHero to manage these tasks on your behalf, don’t hesitate to reach out! Contact us today.