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.
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.