Wisconsin: Sales Tax Handbook
How to get a Wisconsin Seller's Permit
In Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin for the first time, you will need to determine your business' permit requirements. The good news is that you can get a Wisconsin Seller's Permit and be ready to do business 2 business days after you submit your application. This guide will help you learn how!
Who needs a Wisconsin Seller's Permit?
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue states that a Wisconsin Seller's Permit is required for "every individual, partnership, corporation, or other organization making retail sales, leases, or rentals of tangible personal property or taxable services in Wisconsin, unless all sales are exempt from sales or use tax." You do not need to apply for a sellers' permit if you are a wholesaler, manufacturer, or another business not engaged in the direct sales of tangible property (or taxable services) to the end consumer.
Businesses with a taxable presence within Wisconsin are considered to have sales tax nexus within the state. For more details on what constitutes a taxable presence, see sales tax nexus in Wisconsin.
How to get a Wisconsin Seller's Permit:
You can register through the Department of Revenue's online application system or, if you have not filed any of your business registration applications yet, use the Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal to get it all done at once.
The state recommends that you apply for your seller's permit at least three weeks before you begin operations, and requires that you display your permit in a highly visible place.
In some cases, you may be required to make a security deposit of up to $15,000 with the Department of Revenue to guarantee owed sales taxes. If you are required to place a deposit, it will be returned to you after 2 years of paying your sales taxes on time.
If you have any questions about acquiring your seller's permit, you can call the Wisconsin Department of Revenue at (608) 266-2776.
You need the following information to apply for a Wisconsin Seller's Permit:
Reason for your application,
Basic business information,
Business type (sole proprietorship; corporation; etc.),
Type of business you run (dry cleaner; limousine; rastaurant; etc.),
The start date you'll begin collecting sales tax,
Other business owners' information
Wisconsin Seller's Permit Application Fee, Turnaround Time, and Renewal Info
Applying for a Wisconsin Seller's Permit is free, and you will receive your permit 2 business days after filing your application.
Application Fee: $20
Turnaround Time: 2 business days
Permit Renewals: Every 2 years
Note about permit renewals:
Your Wisconsin Seller's Permit must be renewed every 2 years. You will be mailed a renewal notice, which you must complete and return with a $10 renewal fee.Apply For Your Wisconsin Seller's Permit Now:
Get Your Wisconsin Seller's Permit Online
You can easily acquire your Wisconsin Seller's Permit online using the Wisconsin Business Tax Registration website. If you have quetions about the online permit application process, you can contact the Department of Revenue via the sales tax permit hotline (608) 266-2776 or by checking the permit info website 
.
Offline Wisconsin Seller's Permit Application Form
While generally slower than applying online, you can apply for a Wisconsin Seller's Permit for your business offline using Form BTR-101, the "Application for Wisconsin Business Tax Registration".
Form BTR-101 can be downloaded from the Department of Revenue here .
Mail Completed Form BTR-101 To:
Wisconsin Department of RevenuePO Box 8902
Madison WI 53708-8902
Alternately, you can fax Form BTR-101 to the Department of Revenue at (608) 264-6884.
What's Next? Now that you know how to apply for your Wisconsin Seller's Permit, learn how to collect and remit the Wisconsin sales tax.
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