How to Get a Retail Tax ID

If you operate a business whose activities include retail sales, you must get a retail sales ID number, collect sales tax from your customers on all of your taxable retail sales, and file and pay your taxes on time. You may choose to include sales tax in the price of your product to facilitate sales and charge your customers a round number, but you are still liable for the portion of that sale price made up by the sales tax.

Things You'll Need

• State business license
• City business license

Instructions

1. Contact your state's Department of Revenue and request a business license application or go to the department's website to find an online version. Fill out your state's business license application and mail it to the address on the form. The state will then issue you a retail tax ID number.

2. Contact your city or municipality's Department of Revenue and request a business license application or download an online version from the department's website. Complete the local business license and mail it to the address on the form to get a local retail tax ID number.

3. Fill out the quarterly tax forms that you receive from your city and state and send them in along with your payment. These forms will include your retail tax ID number, which will also appear on your business licenses.

References

• Businessnameusa.com: Tax ID Number
• State of Texas: Sales Tax and Your New Business
• Missouri Department of Revenue: Frequently Asked Questions-Business Tax Registration