Most states (the wise ones) don’t charge anything to get a sales tax permit, but some do. In this article, we show you how much it costs to get a sales tax permit in each state.

     
     

    How Much It Costs to Register for a Sales Tax Permit in Each State

    Kansas: Kansas does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit. 

    Alabama: Alabama does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit, and does not require a security deposit.

    Arizona: Arizona charges $12 for each business location. Many cities/towns charge an additional fee. You can view the fee schedule here. 

    Arkansas: Arkansas charges $50 for a sales tax permit. The registration fee is non-refundable.

    California: California does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit, but they may require that you pay a security deposit. You can read more about that here. 

    Colorado: If your business is located inside of Colorado, you must pay a refundable security deposit of $50 plus $16 for the sales tax permit. The permit must be renewed (and the fee paid again) every two years.

    If you are an out-of-state business and are getting a retailers-use tax permit for online sales, then the permit is free.

    Connecticut: Connecticut charges a one-time registration of $100. The permit expires every two years and is automatically renewed as long as the sales tax account is active. Fun fact: This is the most that any state charges for a sales tax permit, period. The author finds it ridiculous.

    Washington D.C.: Washington D.C. does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit, and a deposit is not required.

    Florida: Florida charges $5 for a sales tax permit if the business location or rental property is located in Florida, or if you are applying via a paper application. Florida does not require a security deposit.

    Georgia: Georgia does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Hawaii: Hawaii charges a one-time $20 fee for their General Excise Tax license

    Idaho: Idaho does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit.

    Illinois: Illinois does not charge fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Indiana: Indiana charges a one-time fee of $25 to register for a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate (RRMC). The RRMC is valid for two years, and updates automatically with no additional charge for renewal. If a business does not pay its tax liability, the RRMC will expire.

    Indiana also requires that out-of-state businesses register with the Secretary of State before they can receive a sales tax permit. This can be problematic because Indiana requires that the registrant have a mailing address in Indiana to receive official mail. Registered Agent services are available for about $50/yr to receive mail in Indiana on your behalf. Unfortunately, there’s no way around this.

    Iowa: Iowa does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Kansas: Kansas does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Kentucky: Kentucky does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Louisiana: Louisiana does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Maine: Maine does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Maryland: Maryland does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Massachusetts: Massachusetts does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Michigan: Michigan does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Minnesota: Minnesota does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Mississippi: Mississippi does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. A bond may be needed for certain applicants.

    Missouri: Missouri does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. All applicants must post a bond equal to two times their average monthly taxable income.

    Nebraska: Nebraska does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Nevada: Nevada charges a $15 fee for each location that is registering for a sales tax permit.

    New Jersey: New Jersey does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    New Mexico: New Mexico does not charge a fee to register for a gross receipt tax permit (their version of a sales tax permit). There is no security deposit or bond required.

    New York: New York does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    North Carolina: North Carolina does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    North Dakota: North Dakota does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Ohio: Ohio charges $25 to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Oklahoma: Oklahoma charges a $20 fee to register for a sales tax permit, with each additional location costing $10 each. The license is renewable every three years from the date the permit was issued if the business is in good standing.

    Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Rhode Island: Rhode Island charges a $10 fee to register for a sales tax permit.

    South Carolina : South Carolina charges a $50 fee to register for a sales tax permit. The sales tax permit is valid so long as the business does not change locations.

    South Dakota: South Dakota does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Tennessee: Tennessee does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Texas: Texas does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. A bond may be required but only after the application is filed and reviewed.

    Utah: Utah does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Vermont: Vermont does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Virginia: Virginia does not charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit. There is no security deposit or bond required.

    Washington: Washington charges a $19 fee to register for a sales tax permit for the first time.

    West Virginia: West Virginia does not charge a fee to get a sales tax permit, however you have to complete Business Registration, which is $30 unless you meet one of several criteria such as being a non-profit, in the agricultural business, or  an out-of-state retailer.

    Wisconsin: Wisconsin charges $20 to register for a sales tax permit. Additional locations are free.

    Wyoming: Wyoming charges a one-time $60 fee to register for a sales tax permit.

     
     
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    Disclaimer: Our attorney wanted you to know that no financial, tax, legal advice or opinion is given through this post. All information provided is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Information is provided “as is” and without warranty.

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