
What is a Resale Certificate?
A resale certificate is a document that exempts registered businesses from paying sales tax on items that are purchased or intended for resale, as the end customer will pay the sales tax. These items could be materials used to create or make the finished product. For example, if an ecommerce business sells clothes, they can buy tax-free clothes from a wholesale supplier by showing a resale certificate. A resale certificate is often called a reseller permit. It is entirely different from a seller’s permit and is required only by registered businesses that purchase qualifying items from suppliers for resale. A resale certificate confirms that the buyer intends to resell the purchased goods, which exempts the transaction from sales tax. Therefore, they are not responsible for collecting or remitting sales tax to avoid double charging sales tax on a single item.How to Get a Resale Certificate?
Every state has its own rules regarding issuing resale certificates to eligible retailers. Here’s how you can get one:- Understand the resale certificate requirements in the state where you have a physical nexus and the states where your vendors are located.
- Apply for a sales tax permit in the state before getting a resale certificate (if applicable).
- Fill out the application form specified by your state’s Department of Revenue.
- Provide the required documents and wait for the verification process.
What are Multistate Resale Certificates?
Multistate resale certificates allow you to simultaneously get sales tax exemption for multiple states. There are two multistate resale certificates available that businesses can use:- Streamlined Sales Tax (SST) Exemption Certificate
- Multistate Tax Commission (MTC) Uniform Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate
How to Use a Resale Certificate?
Once you fulfill the requirements for your state and get a resale certificate, you can provide it to your vendor/supplier to avoid paying sales tax on items you intend to resell. However, these certificates make you liable for sales tax collection in your respective state. Sometimes suppliers may refuse to honor a resale certificate because they are responsible for the uncollected sales tax if the certificate has expired. If you don’t get a tax exemption from a seller, you can request a refund from the tax authorities if you resell the products and can provide evidence of that.Difference Between a Reseller Permit and Sales Tax Exemption Certificate
A reseller permit and a sales tax exemption certificate are different documents for different purposes. Here is the difference between these documents.- A reseller permit is a type of exemption document issued by the government allowing a business to purchase goods, without paying sales tax, for the purpose of reselling to a customer. This does not exempt you from products or items you buy from vendors for use in your business (i.e., office supplies, computer equipment).
- A sales tax exemption certificate is a broader term referring to a document that allows individuals and businesses exemption from paying sales tax on all items and products. It is only issued to specific organizations that qualify for sales tax exemption in that state, such as a nonprofit (i.e., 501(c)(3) organizations). Each state has requirements for organizations that qualify for sales tax exemption certificates. For example, in Florida, government entities are exempt from sales tax.