How to Get a Wholesale License in California

Co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD

Last Updated: August 10, 2021

A wholesaler is an entity that buys items in bulk and sells the items to resellers as opposed to consumers. If you are engaged in the wholesale business, then you must obtain a wholesale license, which in California is called a “seller’s permit.”

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Identifying Your Need for the Seller’s Permit

1
Understand a seller’s permit. A seller’s permit is a state license issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) that grants its recipient permission to sell items at a wholesale or a retail level and to issue resale certificates to suppliers in order to avoid paying sales taxes.
- Because sales tax needs to only be paid one time, by the end purchasers,^{[1]
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  Research source} a wholesaler can avoid paying sales taxes when it buys from a manufacturer by issuing a resale certificate.
2
Identify if you are engaged in business in California. You must get a seller’s permit if you are “engaged in business” in California. The CDTFA considers businesses to be “engaged in business” in California even if the business’s principal office is located out of state. So long as you have an office, salesroom, warehouse, or other place of business in California, then you are engaged in business in the state.^{[2]
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- You are engaged in business in the state even if your presence in California is temporary.^{[3]
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- Furthermore, you are engaged in business if you have a sales representative, agent, or canvasser in the state, or if you receive rental payments from the lease of tangible property located in California.^{[4]
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3
Identify if you sell property subject to a sales tax. Another requirement is that you intend to sell tangible personal property that ordinarily would be subject to a sales tax. Tangible property subject to the tax includes furniture, toys, antiques, and clothing.^{[5]
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- Additionally, some services and labor costs are taxable. For example, if you make a customized piece of furniture then the total amount that you charge, including the labor charges, would be taxable. However, if all you made were repairs then the labor costs would not be taxable.^{[6]
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- If you have questions about what is taxable, call 1-800-400-7115.
- As a wholesaler, you will need to issue a Resale Certificate whenever you make a purchase of tangible property ordinarily subject to sales tax.^{[7]
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  Research source} If you do not issue this certificate in a timely manner, you will be responsible for paying the tax.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Applying for the Seller’s Permit

1
Gather information about your business. You may apply for the permit online or in-person. Prior to applying, be prepared to provide the following information:^{[8]
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- Social Security Numbers (corporate officers excluded).
- Driver’s licenses or state identification numbers. You may also provide other forms of identification, including a U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, Consular Identification card, or Visa (E-2).
- Email address (contact and business).
- Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).
- State Employer Identification Number (SEIN).
- For corporations: corporate name, number, state and date incorporated.
- Name, address, and phone number of partners, corporate officers, members, or managers.
- Names and phone number of personal references.
- Names and addresses of suppliers.
- North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.
- Standard Industrial Classification (SIC).
- Bank information (including the name and address).
- Name and account number of the merchant credit card processor.
- Name, address, and phone number of the person who maintains the company’s books and records.
2
Choose a registration method. You may register either online or in-person at a CDTFA office. If you have questions about applying, then you should consider applying in-person. If you register online, you can still call 1-800-400-7115 with questions.
- To register online, visit the CDTFA website at www.cdtfa.ca.gov. Then click on the “Permits & Licenses” tab at the top. Click “register online” and then at the Main Menu click on “Register a business activity with CDTFA.” You will be guided through the registration process.
- To register in-person, visit one of the CDTFA’s field offices around the state. A listing of field offices is here.
3
Create an online account. If you register online, you will need to create an online account, which will require that you pass through various screens. The first screen will ask you what your business activity includes. Check the boxes that apply.
- Then you will be asked if you sell alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, or other specific categories of products. Click any that apply (or none at all).
- After accepting the “Declaration of Intent,” you will be prompted to enter personal information, such as your name and email address. Then you will be prompted to create a username and password.
- Depending on your corporate form, you may be prompted to send certain forms to the CDTFA. For example, if you are seeking a license for a Limited Partnership, then you must send a copy of your partnership agreement to the CDTFA.
4
Fill out the application. For the application itself, you must enter the business information you have gathered: name, start date, corporate number (e.g., if you run an LLC), FEIN or SEIN, business address and contact, as well as the members of your organization.
- There is generally no fee to register for a seller’s permit.^{[9]
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5
Update your information. You must notify the CDTFA if you change your business address, change business owners, add or drop a partner, sell your business, buy another business, or discontinue your business.^{[10]
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- If you stop doing business, then your permit is no longer valid.

Warnings

Your business records may be audited at any time in order to determine if you have paid the correct amount of tax, so be sure to maintain accurate and adequate business records at all times.

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