Illinois: Sales Tax Handbook
How to get an Illinois Sales Tax License
In Illinois, most businesses are required to have a sales tax permit. This means that, if you are considering opening a new business or are beginning to make sales in Illinois for the first time, you will need to determine your business' permit requirements. The good news is that you can get an Illinois Sales Tax License and be ready to do business 2 business days after you submit your application. This guide will help you learn how!
Who needs an Illinois Sales Tax License?
Businesses must acquire a sales tax permit prior to making any purchases, sales, or hiring any employees within Illinois. Businesses based outside of Illinois (but with an Illinois tax nexus) should register for "out-of-state use tax".
Businesses with a taxable presence within Illinois are considered to have sales tax nexus within the state. For more details on what constitutes a taxable presence, see sales tax nexus in Illinois.
How to get an Illinois Sales Tax License:
Illinois provides an online portal for managing your sales tax account called MyTaxIllinois, which allows you to register for a sales tax account number much faster than filing a paper copy of Form REG-1. You will receive a physical copy of your Registration Certificate, which must be prominantly displayed. If you ever need to update the information on your tax account, you can call the Department of Revenue at 217-785-3707.
You need the following information to apply for an Illinois Sales Tax License:
Identifying information about your business,
Type of business,
Owners and officers,
Description of business activities
Illinois Sales Tax License Application Fee, Turnaround Time, and Renewal Info
You will need to pay an application fee when you apply for an Illinois Sales Tax License, and you will receive your permit 2 business days after filing your application.
Application Fee: FREE
Turnaround Time: 2 business days
Permit Renewals: No Renewals Needed
Apply For Your Illinois Sales Tax License Now:
Get Your Illinois Sales Tax License Online
You can easily acquire your Illinois Sales Tax License online using the MyTax Illinois website. If you have quetions about the online permit application process, you can contact the Revenue Department via the sales tax permit hotline (217) 785-3707 or by checking the permit info website 
.
Offline Illinois Sales Tax License Application Form
While generally slower than applying online, you can apply for a Illinois Sales Tax License for your business offline using Form Reg-1, the "Business Registration Application".
Form Reg-1 can be downloaded from the Revenue Department here .
Mail Completed Form Reg-1 To:
Central Registration DivisionIllinois Department of Revenue
PO Box 19040
Springfield, IL 62794-9030
What's Next? Now that you know how to apply for your Illinois Sales Tax License, learn how to collect and remit the Illinois sales tax.
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