Midlothian, VA
The owner shared: “I am opening an online boutique. I plan to purchase inventory from vendors and was wondering if a seller's permit is required. I will not have inventory at home as it will be drop shipped.”
Drop shipping doesn't remove the need for registration. In Virginia you still need the Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration to sell taxable goods, and your drop ship vendors will ask for your Form ST-10 Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Exemption so they don't charge you tax on goods you resell. Where the item is shipped to also matters, since sales to other states may trigger their own tax rules once you pass their thresholds.
Short answer: For an online boutique in Midlothian, Virginia, the essentials are the Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration, a federal tax ID number (EIN) and a local business license, plus an LLC or other structure.
Virginia calls its seller's permit the Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration. To buy for resale without paying sales tax, you give the supplier a Form ST-10 Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Exemption. Suppliers generally accept a resale certificate only from a buyer registered for sales tax, so even a business that mostly buys and sells wholesale usually registers. In-state buyers using Form ST-10 generally need a Virginia registration; out-of-state buyers can cite their home-state number. Out-of-state buyers do not need a Virginia registration to give a valid Virginia resale certificate.
Industry code: NAICS 448120 (Women's Clothing Stores), 458110 under the 2022 update
Get your Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration filed · Start your LLC, DBA and EIN · Business licenses
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All Businesses Need a Midlothian Business License & a Trade Business Name ( Chesterfield County Trade Business Name required if using a trade name).
Retailers / Wholesalers, Need a Reseller Tax ID, & a Business License.
Employers Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN), a VA State Tax Id ( State EIN), & a Business License.
Corporations, & LLC Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN)& a Business License.
Partnerships Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN) & a Trade Business Name, but also need a Business License.
Sole Proprietors May Use a Federal Tax Id Number as a VA Business Tax ID but also need a Business License.
Instead of filing a Trade Business Name, You Can Incorporate in VA or form a(n) VA LLC & You Will Not Need To File A DBA
List of required licenses below include online as well as home or Amazon businesses.
   1. Boutique  The majority of starting businesses need a(n) , Midlothian business tax id registration (business license).
 2. Boutique Businesses with an trade firm name other than the owner's legal name are required to get a(n) Chesterfield County  DBA ( doing business as ) fictitious business name. Â
  3. In VA you may also need a tax id called a resale tax ID or seller's license if you are selling touchable items.  ( A.K.A VAseller's permit, state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate).
   4. You will need a federal and a state EIN if you will hire employees. I.e., a VA Federal Tax ID Number and a(n) VA  State Employer Tax Number. Â
  5.  Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing in Midlothian, Incorporate in VA  or form a(n) LLC.Â