If your organization is tax exempt, we need a valid exemption certificate on file before you place your order. Once it is set up, sales tax comes off automatically at checkout.
Important: If you pay an order that includes sales tax, we usually cannot refund the tax afterward. Most states do not allow an exemption certificate to be applied to a sale that has already happened. It is worth getting your exemption set up before you pay.
What has to line up
Three things have to be true for the exemption to apply to your order.
The email address on your order matches the email on file with your exemption. This is what connects your order to your certificate, so it needs to be the same email every time you order. If you need to use a different email, tell us and we will update it.
Your organization's name and address on the order match your certificate. Keeping these consistent between your certificate and your orders is what keeps the exemption applying smoothly. If your certificate lists a different address than the one you normally order with, a PO Box rather than a street address for example, let us know so we can make sure the two line up.
Your certificate covers the state your order ships to. Exemptions are granted by state, so a certificate for one state will not remove tax on an order shipping to another.
Your certificate is current and issued to the right business. The certificate has to be in the name of the organization actually buying. If you operate under a "doing business as" (DBA) name, both the DBA and your parent company legal name need to appear on it.
Setting up a new exemption
Do this before you place your order.
Email us at [email protected] and let us know your organization is tax exempt. Include your business name, your address, and the email address you will use on your orders.
Watch for a secure upload link. We will email you a link to upload your certificate. We cannot accept certificates sent as email attachments, so please use the link.
Wait for us to confirm your exemption is active. Please do not pay your order before you hear from us.
Place your order using the same email address you gave us.
Note: The upload link comes from Avalara, the system we use to manage exemption certificates. It is a legitimate email from us, so please do not discard it as spam.
What to expect at checkout
Sales tax stays visible on your order until you reach the checkout page and validate your address. Once the address is validated, the tax is removed automatically. Seeing tax earlier in the ordering process does not mean anything is wrong, and if you skip the address validation step the tax will not come off.
If you validate your address at checkout and sales tax is still showing, stop before paying and email us.
If you already have an exemption on file but tax is showing
Three things usually explain it:
The email on the order is different. This is by far the most common cause. Compare the email on this order to the email on your most recent order that had no sales tax. Even a different alias at the same company counts as a different email. Email us and we can update the email on file.
The order is shipping to a state your certificate does not cover. If you are shipping somewhere new, we may need a certificate for that state.
Your certificate may have expired. Many states require exemption certificates to be renewed every year or two. If yours has lapsed, we will need a new one before tax can come off again..
If none of those apply, email us and we will look into it.
Common questions
Can I email you my exemption certificate instead?
No. Certificates have to be uploaded through the secure link we send you. We cannot accept them as email attachments. If you did not get the link or cannot find it, email us and we will resend it.
Can I place my order now and sort out the exemption afterward?
You can, but you will pay sales tax at checkout and we cannot guarantee a refund. Most states do not allow an exemption certificate to be applied to a sale that has already happened. We strongly recommend waiting until your exemption is confirmed.
My email address changed. Do I need a new certificate?
No. Just email us and we will update the email address associated with your exemption. Since the email is what links your order to your certificate, keeping it current matters.
Is my EIN enough?
No. An Employer Identification Number identifies your business but does not by itself grant tax-exempt status. We need your completed exemption certificate.
I operate under a DBA. Which name should be on the certificate?
Both your DBA and your parent company legal name need to appear on the exemption certificate. If your certificate only shows one of them, email us before you place your order.
Can you refund sales tax after I have already paid?
Usually not. Most states do not allow exemption certificates to be applied retroactively. If you think the exemption should have applied to a paid order, email us and we will review it.