How to Use an Ohio Resale Certificate

by Guest Author March 21, 2017

If you’re a seller that buys products at retail for resale, you can often avoid paying sales tax when purchasing those items.

In Ohio, you need to complete and present an Ohio Sales and Use Tax Blanket Exemption Certificate to the merchant from which you are buying the products to be resold.

This short guide will give you what you need to know to buy products for resale in Ohio, and what to do if you’re presented with an Ohio resale exemption certificate.

If you Wish to Use an Ohio Resale Certificate

The process of using a resale certificate for Ohio isn’t difficult. Keep in mind there are two different forms depending on if you’re making a one-time sales tax-exempt purchase or if you plan on making ongoing purchases.

If you’re making multiple purchases, you want to use form STEC B: Sales and Use Tax Blanket Exemption Certificate
If it’s a one-time purchase use form STEC U: Sales and Use Tax Unit Exemption Certificate

Most sellers will want the STEC B to avoid having to create additional forms for future purchases. Both forms require the buyer to list their name, address, purpose for the exemption (resale), and vendor’s license number (if any). Make sure to sign and date the form and present it when making your first sales tax-free purchase.

Also keep in mind that if you are registered for an Ohio sales tax permit, you are required to collect sales tax from your Ohio buyers.

If you are Presented with an Ohio Resale Certificate

If you’re a retailer with nexus in Ohio and you’re presented with a STEC B or STEC U when your customer wishes to purchase items without sales tax for resale, you’ll want to make sure the form has been completed and signed. Then visit the Ohio Department of Revenue and verify the validity of the resale certificate (you can find out how to verify resale certificates in every state here). You’ll want to hang onto each of the resale certificates presented to you in case of future audit.

If you have additional questions, you can contact the Ohio Department of Taxation by mail, email, or phone:

Call (888) 405-4039 for general Sales and Use Tax Questions
Email them using this webform
Or send a letter to: Ohio Department of Taxation, P.O. Box 530, Columbus, Ohio 43216-0530

As you can see, using a resale certificate in Ohio isn’t too painful.To leave sales tax to the experts and automate your remittance, check out TaxJar today!