Get A Wisconsin Resale Certificate Online | S-211 Form
HOW TO GET A RESALE CERTIFICATE IN WISCONSIN
The Wisconsin Resale Certificate (Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate) is an official document issued by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) that allows businesses to purchase goods or services intended for resale without paying sales tax. The Resale Certificate is helpful for businesses in retail, wholesale, leasing, licensing, or renting tangible personal property or taxable services. It is commonly known as a reseller permit, resale license, reseller license, and tax exemption certificate in Wisconsin.
To get a Resale Certificate in Louisiana, complete the 3 steps given below.
✔ STEP 1 : Complete the Wisconsin Sales Tax Form
✔ STEP 2 : Fill out and print the Wisconsin S-211 tax exempt form
✔ STEP 3 : Present a copy of this certificate to suppliers when you wish to purchase items for resale
WHAT IS A WISCONSIN RESALE CERTIFICATE?
A Wisconsin resale certificate is a tax-exempt form that permits a business to purchase goods from a supplier that are intended to be resold without the reseller having to pay sales tax on them. It allows suppliers to know that you are legally allowed to purchase the goods without them having to charge you sales tax since you will be reselling the goods and collecting sales tax from the consumer (end-user). There is no limitation on where a reseller permit can be used as long as the seller accepts it. Also, any items can be purchased using the permit, assuming that the items will be resold.
WHAT INFORMATION IS ON A WISCONSIN RESALE CERTIFICATE?
Common details listed on the Wisconsin resale certificate include the name (company or individual) and address of the buyer, a descriptive detail of the goods being purchased, a reference that this merchandise is intended to be resold and the accurate Wisconsin sales tax number. It is important that you follow the correct procedure and protocol involved in the resale certificate process. Any errors occurring during this process could cause delays or penalties to be incurred by either party.
IS A RESALE CERTIFICATE THE SAME AS A SALES TAX PERMIT IN WISCONSIN?
No, A Resale Certificate is not the same as a Sales Tax Permit in Wisconsin. The Sales Tax Permit allows a company to make sales inside a state and collect/remit sales tax for those sales. The resale certificate allows a buyer (such as a retailer) to purchase goods from a supplier (such as a wholesaler) without having to pay sales tax on the goods that would otherwise be taxable. It is the responsibility of the supplier to keep a copy of the resale certificate for compliance purposes and the responsibility of the retailer to collect sales tax when the goods are sold. In order to have a Wisconsin resale certificate, you must first apply for a Wisconsin sales tax permit. This permit will provide you with a Wisconsin Tax ID number (sales tax number) which will be a necessary field on the Wisconsin resale certificate.
DO I NEED A RESALE CERTIFICATE IN WISCONSIN?
Yes, you need a Resale Certificate in Wisconsin if your business is a retail or wholesale operation that does not want to be responsible for collecting sales tax on resold items and does not want to have any exposure to any future tax liability, then a Wisconsin resale certificate will be required. Since sales tax is only supposed to be paid one time on a taxable good or service, then you want to make sure you are compliant at your phase of the product’s sales life. Even though sales tax is usually paid by the end user, the only way to ensure this is with a Wisconsin resale certificate that is properly filled out.
DO I NEED A RESELLER'S LICENSE TO SELL ONLINE IN WISCONSIN?
Yes. If you sell taxable goods or services online to customers in Wisconsin, you are required to obtain a Wisconsin Seller’s Permit. This permit authorizes your business to collect and remit sales tax and to issue resale certificates to suppliers.
DOES WISCONSIN ACCEPT OUT OF STATE RESALE CERTIFICATES?
Yes. Wisconsin accepts out-of-state resale certificates, provided they are fully completed and indicate that the purchase is for resale. The seller must obtain a properly completed exemption certificate from the purchaser within 90 days after the date of sale to substantiate the exemption.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RESALE CERTIFICATE IN WISCONSIN?
After registering for a Wisconsin Seller’s Permit online, you will typically receive your permit number via email within 1–2 business days. The physical registration packet, including the permit, is usually mailed within 7–10 business days.
HOW LONG IS A RESALE CERTIFICATE VALID IN WISCONSIN?
Wisconsin resale certificates do not have a specified expiration date and are generally considered valid indefinitely. However, it is recommended to periodically review and update the certificate to ensure the information remains accurate and up to date.
HOW DO I VERIFY A RESALE CERTIFICATE IN WISCONSIN?
To verify a Wisconsin resale certificate, you can use the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s “Verify a Permit or Account” tool. This tool allows you to search for a permit or account by entering the permit or account number, business name, and location.
HOW TO USE OR ACCEPT A WISCONSIN RESALE CERTIFICATE
Use a Resale Certificate (Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate or Form S-211) to purchase goods tax-free that are intended for resale, lease, license, or rental. To use this certificate, businesses should present it to suppliers at the time of purchase.
Businesses should maintain thorough records of all transactions involving the resale certificate, including copies of the certificate and related purchase invoices, to support the tax-exempt status of these purchases in case of audits or reviews by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.