How To Get A Missouri Sales Tax Exemption Certificate [2023 Guide]
A Missouri Sales Tax Exemption Certificate is a document that allows a business to purchase goods and services tax-free from suppliers for the purpose of reselling those goods and services. The certificate is also sometimes referred to as a “resale permit” or a “reseller’s permit.”
Learn more about what the certificate is, how to get one, and more.
What is a Sales Tax Exemption Certificate?
When retailers purchase products to resell, they often don’t pay sales tax to the supplier on the purchase. The state sales tax will still be paid, but instead of the retailer paying sales tax, the retailer charges sales tax to their customer on the final value of the merchandise. The collected sales tax is then sent by the retailer to the Missouri Department of Revenue.
For instance, when a hardware store in Missouri orders a new supply of power tools to sell in their shop, by holding a resale certificate, the hardware store owner won’t pay sales tax on this procurement. This is because these power tools are not an end purchase for the store, but are inventory meant to be sold to the ultimate consumer.
When a customer chooses to buy one of these power tools from the store, the retailer will charge sales tax to the customer based on the full price of the tool. This added charge is the sales tax that Missouri imposes on retail transactions.
The hardware store, in its role as the retailer, has the duty to collect this sales tax from all of their transactions. Then, usually at the end of each month, the hardware store sends the collected sales tax to the state.
The purpose of the certificate is to provide evidence of why sales tax was not collected on a transaction. Similar names for a resale certificate include reseller number, seller’s permit, exemption certificate, wholesale license, or reseller’s license. In order for the supplier to allow the tax-exempt purchase, the seller needs proof the buyer intends to resell the product by providing a valid resale certificate.
The sales tax exemption is only intended to be used for inventory that will be resold and not intended for the tax-free purchase of items used in normal business operations, such as paper, pens, etc.
Getting Started
Before a business starts selling products or providing taxable services, it must first get a Missouri Sales Tax License from the Missouri Department of Revenue. The Sales Tax License is sometimes referred to as a seller’s permit, sales tax number, or sales tax permit.
Is a Sales Tax Exemption Certificate the same as a Sales Tax License?
The Sales Tax License and Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate are commonly thought of as the same thing, but they are actually two separate documents. The Sales Tax License allows a business to sell and collect sales tax from taxable products and services in the state, while the Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate allows the retailer to make tax-exempt purchases for products they intend to resell.
Related: How to register for a Missouri Sales Tax License
After registering, a Missouri Tax ID Number will be provided by the Department of Revenue. This number will be listed on the Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate.
How to fill out the Missouri Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate
Filling out the Missouri Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate (Form 149) is pretty straightforward but is critical for the seller to gather all the information.
If audited, the Missouri Department of Revenue requires the seller to have a correctly filled out Form 149 Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate. Without it correctly filled out, the seller could end up owing sales taxes that should have been collected from the buyer in addition to penalties and interest.
Steps for filling out the Form 149 – Missouri Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate
Step 1 – Begin by downloading the Missouri Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate Form 149
Step 2 – Identify the name, phone number, contact person, Doing Business As Name (DBA), address, and Missouri Tax ID Number of the purchaser
Step 3 – Indicate the products or services the purchaser will be purchasing tax-exempt and what the purchaser’s business does
Step 4 – Include the name, phone number, contact person, DBA, and address of the seller
Step 5 – Indicate the reason for the sales tax exemption:
- Purchasing tangible personal property for resale
- Purchasing taxable services for resale
- Purchases are made by a manufacturer or wholesaler for wholesaler; or
- Purchases are made by a motor vehicle dealer
Step 6 – If the business is a manufacturer, check the appropriate boxes (not typically applicable for retailers)
Step 7 – The Other section is used when purchasing specific products that are tax-exempt, which include certain agricultural products, common carriers, locomotive fuel, air or water pollution goods, or commercial motor vehicles or trailers.
Step 8 – The purchaser will certify the property being purchased is for resale and sign and date the certificate.
Fillable Form 149 Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate
How much does a Sales Tax Exemption Certificate cost in Missouri?
There is no cost for a Certificate of Exemption in Missouri.
Does a Missouri Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate Expire?
A Missouri Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate is valid for five years – Missouri Code 12 CSR 10-107.100.
How often is Missouri sales tax due?
Most new businesses are set up to file and pay sales and use tax monthly, but depending on the amount of tax collected, your business may have a quarterly or annual filing frequency instead.
Where do I file the Missouri sales tax exemption certificate?
The resale certificate is kept on file by the seller and is not filed with the state.
Are sellers required to accept resale certificates?
Sellers are not required to accept resale certificates, however, most do. If the vendor doesn’t accept the certificate for a tax exempt purchase, the buyer will have to pay sales tax on the merchandise being purchased. In most cases, a credit is available when filing the Missouri sales tax return.
What steps should a business take to accept a resale certificate?
When a business is presented with a resale certificate, the burden of proof is on the seller to verify that the buyer’s information is correct and to keep these records. Failing to verify this information may put the liability of paying Missouri sales taxes on the seller.
Before accepting a resale certificate, a seller should:
– Review the resale certificate to make sure it is completely filled out.
– Verify the purchaser’s Sales Tax License is valid by searching the Missouri revoked sales tax license database.
– Sellers are also responsible for examining the certificate and evaluating whether the goods sold are reasonably consistent with the purchaser’s line of business. For example, if the buyer’s business is a car dealership, but they want to purchase office supplies tax-free, the seller should investigate further.
– Keep a file of resale certificates.
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