Renewal Required?: No — once registered, your account stays active as long as you continue meeting your filing and payment obligations. If your business changes its legal structure (for example, from a sole proprietorship to a partnership), you must cancel the old registration and re-register.
Turnaround Time: You'll receive a confirmation email when you finish registering. Once DOR approves your application, your registration certificate follows by mail.
Do You Need to Get a Sales Tax Permit in Massachusetts?
The first step in registering for a sales tax permit is determining if you even need one. In general, you need a sales tax permit in Massachusetts if you have a physical presence in the state (storefront, warehouse, office, or inventory stored there), or if you're a remote seller exceeding $100,000 in Massachusetts sales in the current or prior calendar year (economic nexus). There is no transaction-count threshold, only the dollar amount. Details are in the DOR's remote seller FAQ. For more detailed information, check out our blog post "Do You Need to Get a Sales Tax Permit in Massachusetts?"
If you are not sure where you should get sales tax permits, we can help determine that for you with our Sales Tax Starter Kit Service, or take our free sales tax survey to get a personalized plan.
Massachusetts administers sales tax entirely at the state level (6.25%)— there are no separate city or county sales taxes to register for.
Once you're sure you need a sales tax permit in Massachusetts, you can proceed with registering.
Types of Sales Tax Permits Available
Massachusetts only has one type of sales tax permit available. Currently, there is no fee to register for a Massachusetts sales tax permit.
Where to Register for a Massachusetts Sales Tax Permit
Online: Register through MassTaxConnect.
- Choose Sign Up, then Register a New Business. (You can also use Register a New Taxpayer under Quick Links.)
- Provide the requested business information and select Sales and Use Tax.
- You'll receive a confirmation email. When you first log in, you'll be prompted to set up two-step verification.
Note: if you already have a MassTaxConnect account for another tax type, you can add a Sales and Use Tax account instead of creating a new login — go to "More," then "Add a new account."
If you’re already feeling a little overwhelmed, you should know that we can handle the entire permit registration process for you with our Sales Tax Permit Registration Service.
Where to Go if You Need Help Registering for a Sales Tax Permit in Massachusetts
If you are stuck or have questions, you can either contact the state of Massachusetts directly or reach out to us and we can register for a sales tax permit on your behalf.
How to contact the Massachusetts DOR Contact Center: (617) 887-6367, or (800) 392-6089 toll-free within Massachusetts, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. You can also contact DOR online.
How to contact TaxValet if you want someone to handle your permit registration for you: You can learn more about our sales tax permit registration service by clicking here.
Information Needed to Register for a Sales Tax Permit in Massachusetts
Before you begin the process of registering with the state, make sure you have access to the following information:
- Federal tax ID (EIN). Required for all businesses, including sole proprietors with employees. Sole proprietors with no employees register with their Social Security number.
- Knowledge of your business entity structure
- Business start date
- Legal and mailing addresses
- For all entities other than sole proprietorships: contact information for owners/officers, including titles and Social Security numbers
- NAICS code
- Estimated Massachusetts sales
To get started, choose the link titled "Register a New Taxpayer" on the website. This link is for businesses that are starting a business, third-party registering, requesting a certificate of exemption, or registering as a remote retailer/marketplace facilitator.
If you're already feeling a little overwhelmed, remember we can handle the entire process for you with our Sales Tax Permit Registration Service — or take our free sales tax survey if you're not sure where you need to be registered at all.
What Happens After You Apply for a Sales Tax Permit in Massachusetts?
Keep in mind, once you have an active sales tax permit in Massachusetts, you will need to begin filing sales tax returns. Our team can handle your sales tax returns for you with our Done-for-You Sales Tax Service. You can also learn more about how to file and pay a sales tax return in Massachusetts by clicking here.
In the process of applying for your Massachusetts sales tax permit, you created a login and password with the state. Once your application is approved, you'll receive a confirmation email with an authentication code — use this to log in to your MassTaxConnect account, where you can view your permit, file returns, and make payments.
A paper copy of your Sales and Use Tax Registration Certificate will arrive 7–10 business days after submission, mailed to the address you provided. If your business has a physical location in Massachusetts, this certificate must be displayed visibly at your place of business.
Currently, there is no expiration date on a Massachusetts sales tax certificate.
If at any point you are stuck and want a team of experts to handle all of this for you, don't hesitate to contact us.
