Which states charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit?
by November 1, 2020
Registering for a sales tax permit is free in the majority of states. However, in other states, it only costs a small fee (think, less than $20.) Think of it this way – the state wants you register and collect sales tax from your in-state buyers. A barrier to entry like an expensive fee for registering might just deter you from what they want in the long run – you collecting a small percentage of sales tax on every transaction.
States that charge a fee to register for a sales tax permit
That said, not all states are free to register. Some have a small fee, and a couple are pretty pricy. Here are the states that require a registration fee.
Arizona – The state charges $12 to file for a transaction privilege tax (TPT) permit (which is like a sales tax permit in Arizona.) You may also be required to register in individual local areas which may cost a small fee. (Don’t worry – most starts are not as complex as Arizona!) Arizona charges the city fees if you have physical nexus. in the state.
Colorado – It costs $63 to apply for a Colorado sales tax permit. Permits must also be renewed every two years.
Connecticut – There’s an application fee of $100 to apply.
Florida – There is a $5 fee only if you elect to register by paper. Registering online is free.
Hawaii – Hawaii charges a $20 fee to register for a General Excise Tax (GET) permit.
Indiana – There is a $26 registration fee to register a business in Indiana.
Rhode Island – It costs $10 to register for a Rhode Island sales tax permit.
South Carolina – It costs $50 to register for a South Carolina sales tax permit.
Washington – It may cost $90 to register for a Washington sales tax permit.
West Virginia – It costs $30 to register for a West Virginia sales tax permit.
Wisconsin – It costs $20 to register for a Wisconsin sales tax permit.
Wyoming – There is a one time license fee of $60 to register for a Wyoming sales tax permit.
There’s one other important caveat when it comes to registering for a sales tax permit and paying fees. Depending on your business relationship with the state, you may be required to register your business for other state activities aside from sales tax. For example, if you have income tax nexus in the state then you may be required to register with the Secretary of State in that state. Or if you have employees in that state, you may be required to register with that state’s Department of Labor. This blog post doesn’t cover those types of fees. If you think you may need to register for more than just a sales tax permit in a state, we recommend a couple of things:
- Consult a tax accountant
- Give the state a call – here’s a list of telephone numbers for every state’s department of revenue (or equivalent)
