Resale certificates allow the tax-free purchases of merchandise to be resold. Learn more about the certificate, why it’s needed, and how to get one. 

What is a resale certificate?

A resale certificate (depending on the state, it may be called a reseller permit, sales tax exemption license, or resale license) is a document that allows resellers to purchase tangible personal property (aka the goods you plan to resell and, in some states the equipment used to produce goods that are resold) from a vendor, wholesaler, or supplier without paying sales tax.  The reseller, which is often the retailer, sells the product to the end-user of the product and collects sales tax. 

Manufacturers will also use resale certificates to purchase the supplies or services needed for the products they make. Depending on the state, a resale certificate may be called a reseller’s permit, reseller’s license, sales tax license, sales tax exemption certificate, seller’s permit, or something similar.

Why is a resale certificate needed?

When a wholesaler makes a sale to a retailer, the wholesaler doesn’t charge the retailer sales tax.  The state, of course, wants to be paid the sales tax.  The resale certificate provides documentation about the reseller and their business.  Each state’s Department of Revenue (or similarly named revenue agency) will occasionally audit businesses making tax-exempt sales to ensure they are making sales to businesses that are in the business of reselling the merchandise being sold.  If there is an audit and a wholesaler is making tax-free sales without the proper documentation or selling to businesses that don’t reasonably appear to be in the business of selling the products being purchased, the wholesaler can face fines and be charged the full amount of tax on the sale.

What information is needed on a resale certificate?

The information needed to fill out a resale certificate varies by state, but resale certificates typically require:

• Business name
• Reseller’s name, address, phone number
• Reseller’s sales tax permit number
• Description of the reseller’s business
• Description of the merchandise sold

Additionally, some certificates ask whether the certificate should be treated as a blanket certificate or if it will be for a one-time transaction.  A blanket resale certificate is one where the reseller expects to make recurring purchases with the vendor over an extended period of time.

How to apply for a resale certificate

Each state has a different process for getting a resale certificate. Still, the process is one where the reseller will first obtain a sales tax number from the state revenue agency and then fill out a resale certificate.  A certificate is typically provided by each state, however, in many cases, as long as the required information is included, any form can be used.  The certificate isn’t filed with any agency. Instead, it is kept on file with the seller in case of an audit.

Since businesses are increasingly doing business over state lines, several states joined together to simplify sales taxes.  The Multistate Tax Commission (MTC) developed a single resale certificate used among the participating states called the Uniform Sales & Use Tax Exemption Certificate or Streamlined Sales Tax Project.

Click on your state below to see more information on registering for a resale certificate in each state.