Tax
Information
Seller’s Permit
Do you need a Sellers Permit?
A 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.
NOTE: A seller’s permit will not be issued to wholesalers, manufacturers and other businesses not
making direct retail sales of tangible property or taxable services.
When should you apply?
Apply for a seller’s permit at least three weeks before you open your business. If you buy an existing
business, the seller’s permit cannot be transferred to you. You must apply for a new permit. If you
applied for a seller’s permit before you opened your business but did not receive the permit at the
time of opening the business, you are allowed to make retail sales of tangible personal property and
taxable services. However, you are liable for the sales and use taxes and for keeping proper records
from the date of opening the business.
Security May Be Required
Before or after the Department of Revenue issues you a seller’s permit, it may require you to make
a security deposit up to $15,000. If you do not make a security deposit as requested, the department
may refuse to issue you a seller’s permit or may revoke your permit.
In determining whether or not security will be required and the amount of security, the department
may consider the applicant’s payment of all taxes administered by the department and any other
relevant fees. Security is most commonly requested when there has been a history of delinquent
taxes associated with the applicant.
If a security request is made, the department will send a notice of the requirement and additional
information about the calculation of the security amount. Included will be information about the
types of security that can be deposited.
Any security deposit will be returned to you if for 24 consecutive months you complied with the
sales and use tax law. Refer to sec. Tax 11.925, Wis. Adm. Code, “Sales and Use tax security deposits”.
Issuance of the Seller’s Permit
After receiving the Application for Business Tax Registration and the security deposit (if requested),
a seller’s permit will be issued to you by the department. You must display the seller’s permit in a
prominent location at your place of business. If that is not a fixed location, it should be displayed or
carried at the various events. A personal wallet copy will be sent with your seller’s permit to provide
you with easy access to your permit number.
Greater Area Tomah Chamber of Commerce
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