How to Get a Resale Certificate in Tennessee

If you’re starting a limited liability company (LLC) in Tennessee and planning to sell goods subject to sales tax, you’ll need a resale certificate, or several of them, before doing business. 

This guide lays out all you need to do to get a resale certificate in Tennessee. 

What Is a Resale Certificate?

If you expect to sell tangible goods through your LLC in Tennessee, a resale certificate will enable you to purchase those goods without paying sales tax. This prevents your goods from being double taxed, as you will need to charge your customer’s sales tax when they buy the goods. 

If you purchase goods without paying sales tax and neglect to charge sales tax to customers who buy those goods, or if you fail to sell the goods, you and your LLC will be responsible for the sales tax and could face steep fines if the state is not paid. 

If you purposely purchase an item not intended for resale, such as office equipment, and use your resale certificate to avoid paying sales tax, that’s tax fraud, a federal offense.

A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $50 and up to 30 days in jail. A Class E felony is punishable by a fine of up to $3,000 and one to six years in prison. 

Each resale certificate applies to only one vendor, so you’ll need one for each vendor. 

Suppliers and vendors do not have to accept resale certificates. However, a vendor may refuse a resale certificate if it is invalid, which would make the vendor responsible for the sales tax.

How to Obtain a Resale Certificate in Tennessee

To obtain a resale certificate, known as a Government Certificate of Exemption in Tennessee, visit the sales and use tax section of the Department of Revenue website. Choose the streamlined sales and use tax certificate of exemption and download the form.

Once you have the certificate, present it to your vendor and keep a copy for your records.

Does a Resale Certificate Expire in Tennessee?

Tennessee resale certificates do not expire as long as at least one purchase is made every 12 months. You should review them every few years to ensure the information is up to date. 

In Closing

In Tennessee, a resale certificate is relatively easy to obtain yet provides significant savings. It will also help you and your LLC avoid potentially significant penalties. 

Be sure to present the correct certificate to your vendors and keep track of expiration dates so your certificates are always current. You don’t want to pay unnecessary sales tax.