Business Types that Need a Florida Sales Tax License

A look at how a Florida sales tax license ensures that your business collects the right taxes at the right time.

Find out more about business licenses

Trustpilot star rating bar
business types that need a florida sales tax license

Contents

Updated on: September 10, 2024
Read time: 3 min

Florida requires entities “engaged with activities associated with a tax or fee" to obtain a sales tax license to conduct business in the state. With a Florida Department of Revenue sales tax license, your business is set up to collect and remit sales taxes to the state.

 

Florida sales tax license applicability

Many different types of business activities fall into the state's extremely broad definition of those requiring a Florida sales tax license, including:

  • Retail or wholesale sale of products or services
  • Sale of products or goods from non-permanent locations, such as flea markets or craft shows
  • Sale of products or goods by mail order or internet
  • Rental or leasing of commercial real estate
  • Billing of admission or membership fees
  • Repair or alteration of consumer products or equipment

The Florida Business Tax Application (DR-1) lists all of the types of activities that require a state sales tax license, so be sure to review the categories carefully to determine whether your business needs one.

While Florida does not have a specific sales tax license for special events, those selling products or goods at various special events, such as festivals and fairs, usually need a Florida sales tax permit.

How to obtain a Florida sales tax license

 

Retail worker stands next to woman looking through clothes rack at store

To apply for a Florida license, you may use the online form or download Form DR-1 and submit it to the Department of Revenue or a taxpayer service center. There is no fee to register for a Florida sales tax license.

The information you must provide on the application depends on the kind of business entity you are registering. Still, generally, you need the business's name, physical address, telephone number, and Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Once granted, your permit remains valid indefinitely unless your business hasn't been active for more than a year, in which case you must reapply. While you have an active permit, you should keep the Department of Revenue up to date on all of your business's vital information, such as an address, type of entity, or closure.

Florida annual resale tax certificate

If your business buys or rents property or services that will be resold or rerented, an annual resale certificate allows you to avoid paying taxes upon the purchase or rental. You are then required to collect sales tax on the items when they are resold or rerented.

For instance, with an annual resale certificate, a jewelry maker may purchase beads, clasps, chains, and any other materials used in creating jewelry tax-free but must then collect sales tax when selling the completed items.

Note that if the property or services you are buying or renting will be used for your business, they are not exempt from sales tax when purchasing or renting them. For example, dishes and silverware are generally taxable when a restaurant owner purchases them for use in the establishment.

The Florida Department of Revenue makes annual resale certificates available online in November of each year.

Other required Florida taxes

In addition to state sales tax, some Florida counties also apply transient rental taxes on certain accommodations and discretionary sales surtaxes to many transactions at rates that vary by county. Note that the surtax rate applied is that of the county in which the product or service is delivered; in the case of motor vehicles and motor homes, the purchaser's home county determines the rate.

If you're ready to get your business set up for Florida taxes, you can do so yourself or with the help of a professional, such as an online legal service company, which can guide you through the process.

 

Find out more about business licensesStart Now
Twitter logoFacebook logoLinkedIn logoReddit logo

This article is for informational purposes. This content is not legal advice, it is the expression of the author and has not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy or changes in the law.

157 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Business License ,was very fast and…

Business License ,was very fast and helped complete all documents accurately

Marty Long
182 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

The attention I received from your…

The attention I received from your advisor and the patience he showed with me were very helpful. He also gave me information about what the license fee included. Excellent customer service from you.

Isaias Fajardo
202 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Very professional and efficient staff

Very professional and efficient staff. They help me getting my company license. Adolfo is very helpful and supportive. I'm very happy to have him as my consultant.

Rahila Hussain
203 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Starting my LLC Was quick and easy

Starting my LLC Was quick and easy. After filling out the info which was really simple. I literally got my business license and EIN within an hour. I'm pretty sure that would be based on the state your getting licensed in but this transaction for me was quick.

Toya A
209 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Legalzoom filled my llc license and did…

Legalzoom filled my llc license and did great They've been fantastic keeping up with everything. If I did not have them, I would have already been penalized for my $800 llc yearly thing. Thing I have to pay every year for an l l c I would have gotten penalized for the other thing the boi, if it wasn't for a legalzoom notifying me of it.

Khadad Gonzalez
241 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

I chose LegalZoom because they are very…

I chose LegalZoom because they are very well known and established business and they have done great work for me and establishing my business and getting my license I appreciate all your hard work and effort I recommend them to anyone

Michael Scheffler
254 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

"I had an amazing experience with…

"I had an amazing experience with LegalZoom in getting my business license for Ascent Real Estate Solutions. Their process was straightforward, and their customer support was incredibly helpful throughout. They made the entire process quick and stress-free, guiding me through each step. Highly recommend LegalZoom to anyone looking for a reliable and efficient way to handle business paperwork.

Sharilyn Blackwell
Rated4.6out of 5 based on23,946+ reviewson

Showing our favorite reviews