Expert Verified
Amanda Foster — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor
Approved Guide

How to Handle Get a Wholesale License in California Step by Step

When get a wholesale license in california leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

Link copied to clipboard!
Part 1

Identifying Your Need for the Seller’s Permit

1

Understand a seller’s permit.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
2

Identify if you are engaged in business in California.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
3

Identify if you sell property subject to a sales tax.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Another requirement is that you intend to sell tangible personal property that ordinarily would be subject to a sales tax.
Part 2

Applying for the Seller’s Permit

1

Gather information about your business.

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:
  • You may apply for the permit online or in-person.
  • Prior to applying, be prepared to provide the following information:
  • You may apply for the permit online or in-person.
  • Prior to applying, be prepared to provide the following information:
  • You may apply for the permit online or in-person.
2

Choose a registration method.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
3

Create an online account.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
4

Fill out the application.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
5

Update your information.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Community Q&A

Be the first to ask a question about this guide.

Was this guide helpful?

3 people found this helpful

Subscribe to the HowDadDo Newsletter

Get expert tips, weekly how-to guides, and dad wisdom delivered straight to your inbox. No spam, just good stuff.

Help us build the world's best
dad manual.

Every guide on HowDadDo is written and fact-checked by real people — no AI-generated fluff. Join our community of experts helping dads figure life out.