Washington Resale Certificate
Rules, Form & Expiration
What a Washington resale certificate has to say, who can sign one, how long it lasts, and how to produce a signed copy for every vendor in minutes.
Washington resale certificate rules
- Certificate form
- Official Washington form
- We fill the Washington Department of Revenue form field by field.
- MTC uniform certificate
- Accepted
- The Multistate Tax Commission uniform certificate can be used for purchases here.
- Streamlined (SST) certificate
- Not accepted
- Washington is not a Streamlined Sales Tax member state.
- Out-of-state buyers
- Washington permit required
- Buyers usually need a Washington sales tax registration to buy tax-free here.
- Blanket certificates
- Allowed
- One certificate can cover an ongoing series of purchases from the same vendor.
- Expiration
- Valid for 2 years
- Vendors should collect a fresh certificate before the old one lapses.
What a Washington resale certificate must include
- The buyer's legal name, business address, and Washington sales tax permit number.
- The seller's name and address.
- A description of the property being purchased for resale, or for a blanket certificate a general description such as "All tangible personal property for resale".
- A statement that the items will be resold in the ordinary course of business, signed and dated by the buyer.
- A date, because Washington certificates are valid for 2 years and vendors need to know when to ask for a new one.
Using your Washington certificate
- Confirm the purchase is genuinely for resale. Using a certificate for supplies or equipment you consume is the most common audit finding.
- Give the vendor the signed certificate before or at the time of the sale; a certificate produced after the fact is often rejected.
- Issue one blanket certificate per vendor and keep a copy for your records.
- Renew before the certificate lapses (valid for 2 years).
Unlimited signed Washington resale certificates
Enter your business once, add each vendor, and download a signed Washington certificate on the official state form. One flat yearly price covers every state where you buy inventory.
Washington resale certificate FAQ
What form do I use for a Washington resale certificate?
Washington publishes its own resale certificate form, and vendors expect to see it. Our generator completes the official form with your business, permit, and purchase details and produces a signed PDF.
Does Washington accept the MTC uniform resale certificate?
Yes. Washington accepts the Multistate Tax Commission's Uniform Sales and Use Tax Certificate, which is convenient when you buy from vendors in several states.
Can an out-of-state business use a resale certificate in Washington?
Generally not. Washington expects the buyer to hold a Washington sales tax permit, so out-of-state resellers who buy here regularly should register with the state first.
Can I give a vendor one blanket resale certificate in Washington?
Yes. A blanket certificate in Washington covers every qualifying purchase from that vendor going forward, typically described as "All tangible personal property for resale".
How long is a Washington resale certificate valid?
A Washington resale certificate is valid for 2 years. Vendors are responsible for keeping a current certificate on file, so expect to reissue it on that schedule.
This page summarizes Washington resale certificate rules for general information and is not tax advice. Confirm current requirements with the Washington Department of Revenue or your tax adviser.