Home › Resale Certificate
Resale Certificate & Seller’s Permit for Your LLC
A seller’s permit lets your LLC collect sales tax. A resale certificate lets you buy stock from suppliers without paying sales tax. Together they are what wholesalers and Amazon sellers ask for. We register your LLC and prepare the certificate for you, even if you live outside the US.
A resale certificate is a form you give to a supplier so you do not pay sales tax on goods you plan to resell. To use one, your LLC first needs a seller's permit (also called a sales tax permit) from the state where it does business. LLCPronto registers the permit for $50 to $70, depending on the state.
Seller’s Permit vs Resale Certificate
These two are often mixed up, but they do different jobs:
| Seller’s permit | Resale certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Registration with the state tax office | A form you give to your supplier |
| What it lets you do | Collect and pay sales tax | Buy goods for resale without sales tax |
| Who issues it | The state tax agency | You fill it in, using your permit number |
| Other names | Sales tax permit, sales tax license, vendor’s license | Resale exemption certificate |
The permit comes first. Without a valid seller’s permit number, a supplier will not accept your resale certificate.
Who Needs a Resale Certificate?
- Amazon FBA and wholesale sellers buying stock from US brands and distributors
- Retail arbitrage and online arbitrage sellers who buy to resell
- Shopify and Etsy stores buying finished goods or supplies from US wholesalers
- Dropshippers whose US suppliers charge sales tax without a certificate
Many US wholesalers will not open a wholesale account at all until they see your resale certificate and seller’s permit number.
How It Works for Non-US Owners
You do not need an SSN or a US visa. Your LLC needs:
- An approved LLC in a US state
- An EIN from the IRS (we get it within 24 hours)
- A seller’s permit from the state where your LLC does business or has sales tax duties
- The resale certificate form for that state, filled in with your permit number
Each state has its own form. For example, Texas uses Form 01-339, Florida issues an Annual Resale Certificate (DR-13) after you register, and California uses Form CDTFA-230.
Which State’s Permit Do You Need?
Usually the state where your LLC is formed or where you have a physical presence, like stock stored in a warehouse. Amazon FBA sellers can have sales tax duties in states where Amazon stores their inventory, but most states now require Amazon itself to collect sales tax on marketplace sales.
Sales tax rules change by state and by how you sell. We register the permit you need for your setup and tell you when a second state may apply. For questions about your own sales tax setup, our tax team, including M. Hassan, CPA, can help.
What We Do
- Register your LLC for a seller’s permit with the state tax office
- Prepare your resale certificate for your suppliers
- Tell you when your filings are due, so the permit stays active
- Help you answer supplier and Amazon questions about your permit
Price: $50 to $70, depending on the state. Add it at checkout on our order page. If you already have an LLC, message us and we quote it.
Keeping Your Permit Active
A seller’s permit comes with filing duties. Most states ask for sales tax returns monthly, quarterly or yearly, even when you owe nothing. Missing them can get the permit cancelled, and suppliers may then reject your certificate. We remind you before each due date.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the certificate for personal purchases. It only covers goods you resell.
- Giving a supplier an expired certificate. Some states issue certificates that must be renewed.
- Not filing zero returns. A permit with missed returns can be closed.
- Registering in the wrong state. Check where your LLC actually has sales tax duties first.
Documents You Need for a Seller’s Permit
- Your approved Articles of Organization
- The EIN letter (CP 575 or 147C)
- Passport of the owner
- The state where you will sell or store goods
- What you sell and your expected monthly sales
Resale Certificate FAQs
What is a resale certificate?
A form you give to a supplier so you do not pay sales tax on goods you plan to resell. It uses your seller’s permit number to prove your business is registered.
Is a seller’s permit the same as a resale certificate?
No. The seller’s permit is your registration with the state tax office. The resale certificate is a form you give suppliers, and it needs your permit number.
Can a non-US resident get a resale certificate?
Yes. Your US LLC applies, not you personally. You need an approved LLC and an EIN, but no SSN or US visa.
How much does a seller’s permit cost with LLCPronto?
$50 to $70, depending on the state, for a new or an existing LLC. Message us on WhatsApp with your state for the exact price.
Do I need a resale certificate for Amazon?
Not to sell on Amazon, but most US wholesalers and brands ask for one before they sell you stock without sales tax.
Do I have to file sales tax returns if I have no sales?
In most states, yes. Many states expect a return every period, even if it shows zero. Missing them can get your permit cancelled.
Does a resale certificate expire?
It depends on the state. Some certificates stay valid while your permit is active, others must be renewed every year.
Related Guides and Services
Add a Seller’s Permit to Your LLC
Choose your state, add the seller’s permit ($50 to $70) at checkout, and we handle the registration and your resale certificate.