Wisconsin requires businesses to collect sales tax on product and service purchases within the state. Businesses using goods purchased out of state must also pay use tax. Businesses must first complete a Wisconsin business registration form to get a sales tax permit. They then electronically submit the collected sales taxes to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
Step 1:
See if you need to register a new corporation or other business with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Business entities that must register filing forms with the department include the following: corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, business trusts, unincorporated cooperative associations, limited liability partnerships, cemetery associations, cooperative associations and unincorporated nonprofit associations. When you file a Wisconsin business and business name with this office, you then take and use that name when filing for a seller’s permit for sales tax and other business taxes. Go to wdfi.org/corporations/forms/ to get the Wisconsin business filing forms.
Step 2:
Apply with the Internal Revenue Service to get an EIN for your business. This is a federal employer identification number (tax ID number) that is used when paying federal taxes but is also used on Wisconsin business tax forms. Not all businesses need an EIN, but you must get one if you have employees. Because many other types of businesses or product sellers also need an EIN number, you should review the requirements by searching on “IRS registration requirements” at the IRS.gov website.
Step 3:
Apply for a Wisconsin seller’s permit. This permit allows you to collect and remit sales tax to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. To get this sales tax permit, you need to fill out a Wisconsin “Application for Business Tax Registration.” You can get this form at revenue.wi.gov/forms/sales/btr-101.pdf. Fill it in. It is free, but the state may require you to pay a deposit in some cases. Send this Wisconsin business registration form to the following address:
Figure out the Wisconsin sales rate for the products or services that you sell within the state. Use the “Wisconsin State, County and Stadium Sales Tax Rate Look-Up” tool at https://ww2.revenue.wi.gov/STRB/application.
Step 5:
File electronically by the due dates for your Wisconsin sales tax returns. In Wisconsin, the general rule is that you must file by the last day of the month after each quarter. Those who need to file monthly will be informed by the Department of Revenue. You can register and file your sales and other business taxes online by using the “My Tax Account Registration Quick Start” page at revenue.wi.gov/faqs/my_tax_account/quick_start.html.
