Streamlined Sales Tax registration explained

Registering for sales tax state by state is slow. The Streamlined Sales Tax system offers a shortcut for its member states, with uniform rules and, for some sellers, free compliance help. This guide explains what it covers and when to use it.

By Hamza Fida, Chartered Accountant. Reviewed by Mirza Fahad Baig, Chartered Accountant. Checked against official sources on . 2 minute read.

Short answer

Streamlined Sales Tax registration lets a seller register for sales tax in all or some of the member states through one free online application, instead of separate state registrations. Twenty-four states take part, including Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Washington and Wisconsin. Eligible remote sellers can also use a certified service provider, paid by the states, to calculate, file and pay.

At a glance

What it is
One free registration for member states
Member states
24, including Georgia, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin
Not members
California, Texas, Florida, New York and others
Certified service providers
Free to eligible remote sellers
Uniform rules
Common definitions and exemption certificate
Still need
Separate registration in non-member states
Streamlined Sales Tax registration explainedWhat it is: One free registration for member states; Member states: 24, including Georgia, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin; Not members: California, Texas, Florida, New York and others; Certified service providers: Free to eligible remote sellers; Uniform rules: Common definitions and exemption certificate; Still need: Separate registration in non-member states.KEY FACTS AT A GLANCEStreamlined Sales Tax registration explainedWhat it isOne free registration formember statesMember states24, including Georgia,Ohio, Washington,WisconsinNot membersCalifornia, Texas,Florida, New York andothersCertified service providersFree to eligible remotesellersUniform rulesCommon definitions andexemption certificateStill needSeparate registration innon-member statesChecked against official sourcesTax BakersStreamlined Sales Tax registration explainedWhat it is: One free registration for member states; Member states: 24, including Georgia, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin; Not members: California, Texas, Florida, New York and others; Certified service providers: Free to eligible remote sellers; Uniform rules: Common definitions and exemption certificate; Still need: Separate registration in non-member states.KEY FACTS AT A GLANCEStreamlined Sales Tax registrationexplainedWhat it isOne free registration for member statesMember states24, including Georgia, Ohio, Washington,WisconsinNot membersCalifornia, Texas, Florida, New York andothersCertified service providersFree to eligible remote sellersUniform rulesCommon definitions and exemption certificateStill needSeparate registration in non-member statesChecked against official sourcesTax Bakers
Key facts at a glance, as set out in this guide.

Which states are members?

As of July 2026, twenty-four states take part: Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming as full members, and Tennessee as an associate member. Large states such as California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois are not members, so registration there is separate.

How does registration work?

  1. Apply online

    Through the Streamlined Sales Tax registration system.

  2. Choose the states

    All members, or only those where you have nexus.

  3. Receive state accounts

    Each state sets up your account from the one application.

  4. File in each state

    Directly, or through a certified service provider.

What is a certified service provider?

A company certified by the Streamlined system to calculate tax, file returns and pay on a seller's behalf. For eligible sellers, typically remote sellers registering in member states where they have no physical presence, the member states pay the provider's fee for those states. Check eligibility and what the free service covers before signing up.

When does it make sense?

  • You have economic nexus in several member states at once.
  • You want uniform definitions and one exemption certificate for member states.
  • You qualify for a free certified service provider.

If all your sales are through marketplaces that collect tax, you may not need to register at all. See marketplace facilitator laws and how to get a sales tax permit.

Is there anything to watch?

Registering in a state, even through Streamlined, obliges you to file returns there, including zero returns, until you cancel. Register only where you have nexus or genuinely intend to collect. See cancelling a sales tax permit.

Registering in several states?

We check whether Streamlined registration suits you, register you in the right states and handle the states outside the system.

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Questions people ask

What is Streamlined Sales Tax registration?

A free online system to register for sales tax in all or some of its 24 member states with one application.

Which states are in the Streamlined Sales Tax system?

Twenty-four, including Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Washington and Wisconsin. California, Texas, Florida and New York are not members.

Is a certified service provider free?

For eligible sellers, typically remote sellers without physical presence in member states, the states pay the provider's fee for those states.

Do I have to file in every state I register in?

Yes, until you cancel the registration, including zero returns where required.

Sources

Every fee, date and rule on this page was taken from these official and primary sources.

  1. Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board
  2. Supreme Court of the United States: South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., 585 U.S. 162 (2018)
  3. Wisconsin Department of Revenue: Streamlined Sales Tax, member states as of July 12, 2026

Rules and fees change. If you are reading this long after October 1, 2026, confirm the figures with the source before you rely on them.

Sales tax basicsHow to get a sales tax permitSales tax basicsEconomic nexus explained: when out-of-state sales create a tax dutySales tax basicsSales tax exemptions: who qualifies and the certificates to keep

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This guide is general information. It is not tax or legal advice for your situation.