Sales Tax Permit: Who Needs One and How to Get It
Last updated November 5, 2026 · Written by the EIN Registration filing team
The permit application often asks for your EIN. We prepare and file your SS-4 and email you the number.
Start Now →Who needs one
You usually need one if you sell taxable goods or services in a state where your business has a sufficient connection. That can come from a location, staff or inventory there, or from sales volume alone for online sellers. What is taxable varies by state.
How to get one
- Get your EIN if you will need one. See how to apply.
- Find your state’s revenue agency. The IRS keeps a list of state government websites.
- Apply, usually online, with your legal name, address, owners and what you sell.
- Display or store the permit as your state requires.
- Collect, file and pay on the schedule the state gives you, even if some periods have no sales where required.
Permits and other numbers
| Document | What it does | Comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax permit | Lets you collect sales tax | State revenue agency |
| Resale certificate | Lets you buy for resale without paying tax, where allowed | You complete it, using your permit |
| EIN | Identifies the business for federal taxes | IRS |
Sales tax is just one state account. How to get a state tax ID number covers the others, and our new business checklist shows where this fits.
Quick answers
Is a sales tax permit the same as an EIN?
No. The IRS issues the EIN. Your state issues the permit, and the application often asks for your EIN.
Is a sales tax permit the same as a resale certificate?
No. The permit lets you collect tax. A resale certificate is what you give a supplier so you can buy items for resale without paying tax, where your state allows it.
Do I need a permit for online sales?
Often, yes. You generally need one in any state where you have a sufficient connection, which can come from sales volume alone.
How much does a sales tax permit cost?
It varies by state. Many charge little or nothing, but some charge a fee or ask for a deposit, so check with your state's agency.
Do all states have sales tax?
No. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax, though local tax can apply in Alaska.
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Related guides
- How to Get a State Tax ID Number for Your Business There is no single state tax ID. Which accounts your business needs, the steps to register, and each state's sales tax permit name and agency.
- State Tax ID vs Federal EIN: What Is the Difference? The EIN comes from the IRS and is one number per business. State tax IDs come from your state's revenue agency, there can be several, and you usually need the EIN first. Which is which on a W-2, a bank form and a sales tax permit.
- Business Tax ID Number: Which One You Need and How to Get It Which business tax ID number a bank, client or state is asking for, and how to get it.
- How to Apply for an EIN What to check before you apply for an EIN, where to send it, and what happens after you submit.
- State Employer ID Numbers: All 50 States in One Table The withholding account each state issues after the federal EIN, what the agency calls it, where to register, and who runs unemployment insurance. Plus the states with no wage income tax, and the ones that file withholding under the EIN itself.
You can also apply for an EIN directly with the IRS at irs.gov at no cost.