Florida: Sales Tax Registration Guide

Mar 3, 2023 | Blog Posts

Do You Have Nexus in Florida?

When a business is required to collect and remit sales tax, it is said to have a sales tax nexus with a state. There are two types of sales tax nexus to consider in most cases: physical nexus and economic nexus. Physical nexus arises when a business has a tangible presence in a state, such as a physical store or office. On the other hand, economic nexus arises from reaching certain economic activity thresholds in a state, such as a specific amount of sales or number of transactions.

Physical sales tax nexus in Florida refers to a situation where a business has a sufficient physical presence in the state that triggers a legal obligation to collect and remit sales tax on transactions that occur within the state. This physical presence can take many forms, such as a brick-and-mortar store, warehouse, or distribution center, or even temporary locations such as trade shows or pop-up shops. Once a business meets the threshold for physical nexus in Florida, it must register for a sales tax permit. The specific rules and thresholds for physical nexus can vary by state, and it is important for businesses to stay informed and compliant with the laws in each jurisdiction where they operate.

Florida’s economic nexus laws require businesses to collect and remit sales tax once they have exceeded certain economic activity thresholds within the state. A business must register for a permit if they have made over $100,000 in taxable sales of delivered in Florida in the previous calendar year. The economic nexus thresholds apply to both in-state and out-of-state businesses, making it crucial for businesses to stay informed and compliant with Florida’s sales tax laws. If you would like to speak to someone about your specific sales tax nexus footprint, schedule a call with a HOST representative today.

How Do You Register for a Sales Tax Permit in Florida?

In order to obtain a sales tax permit in FL, follow the steps below.

1. Navigate to the Florida Department of Revenue website.

2. Click “Create User Profile” and create an account if you have not already.

3. Next, click “Start New Application” and proceed through the questionnaire.

Once the application is processed and approved, you will receive your sales tax permit and can begin collecting and remitting sales tax back to the state by filing your sales tax returns.

What Information Do You Need to Register?

In order to register for a sales tax permit in FL, some of the information that you will need is below:

Business name and address
Business entity type (e.g. sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation)
Federal employer identification number (FEIN)
Social Security Number (SSN)
Business activity information, including a brief description of your products or services
Estimated monthly/annual sales volume
Banking information for electronic funds transfer (EFT) of sales tax payments (optional)
Sales tax jurisdiction information for each location where you will be collecting and remitting sales tax
Contact information for the business owner or authorized representative
The effective date of when your business established nexus in the state

As you work through the application, be sure to save it as a draft every so often so that you do not lose your place. Additionally, it is important to save a copy for your records after it is fully submitted.

How Long Does it Take for the State to Process Your Sales Tax Permit?

When applying for a sales tax permit in FL, the processing time can vary depending on several factors. The completeness and accuracy of your application are critical in determining the processing time. Any missing or incorrect information can cause delays and lengthen the time it takes to process your application. However, it’s worth noting that in some cases, you may receive your certificate number and business partner number immediately after submitting your application.

It is not uncommon for the state to take upwards of a week or two to fully process applications, but it may take longer in some cases. If you have been waiting for the state to process your sales tax registration submission for longer than 3 weeks, it may be a good idea to follow up with the state to inquire about the status of your application.

Need Assistance Registering for a Sales Tax Permit?

If you encounter any difficulties while submitting your application, you can reach out to the state via email or by calling 850-488-6800. Alternatively, for a hassle-free option, HOST provides a sales tax registration service that includes online account setup and complete registration assistance. Completing a simple form is all it takes, and we’ll take care of the rest for you.