Alternative documents, also known as out-of-state resale certificates, let remote sellers avoid being charged sales tax in certain states where they don’t have a physical presence or sales tax nexus.
How do they work?
When you submit a resale certificate for a specific state, that same certificate might be accepted in other states as an alternative document. These documents can exempt you from sales tax in those additional states, depending on their rules.
For example, if you’re registered in Texas and submit a Texas resale certificate to Printful, it may also be accepted as an alternative document in several other states.
Do all states accept them?
No, not all states accept alternative documents from out-of-state sellers. For example, California doesn’t recognize them. Because these policies can change, we strongly recommend checking with a tax advisor or local tax authority to stay current.
Who is considered an out-of-state seller?
An out-of-state seller is someone who sells products to customers in a state where they don’t have a physical presence (like an office, warehouse, or employee) but may still be required to collect tax under economic nexus rules.
Are there limitations?
Yes. Each state sets its own economic nexus thresholds, based on total sales or the number of transactions. Once you surpass that threshold, you’re required to register for a sales tax permit in that state and start collecting and remitting sales tax.
You can view the status, thresholds, and expiration dates of any alternative documents you’ve submitted by going to your Printful Dashboard → Billing → Tax information → Resale certificate.
Which documents qualify?
Several types of documents can be used as resale certificates and may also serve as valid alternative documents in certain states:
- Home state resale certificates
- SSUTA Multi-state Certificates (with home state information)
- MTC Uniform Multijurisdictional Resale Certificates (with home state numbers)
- Home state sales tax permits
Need help understanding where your documents apply? We recommend consulting a tax professional to ensure compliance with current regulations.