SECTION 710:65-9-1. Obtaining a sales tax permit to do business

(a)   General provisions. Every person desiring to engage in a business within this state who will regularly and continuously make sales subject to taxation from an established place of business, will make taxable seasonal sales, or make taxable sales through peddlers, solicitors or other salesmen who have no established place of business in Oklahoma must secure from the Commission every three (3) years a written sales tax permit for a fee of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) prior to engaging in such business in this state. Each such person shall file with the Commission an application for a permit to engage in or transact business in this state, setting forth such information as the Commission may require. The application shall be signed by an owner or authorized representative of the business, and, in the case of a corporation, by an officer thereof.

(b)   Probationary permits. Every vendor who is making an "initial application" for a sales tax permit and who otherwise qualifies based on a review of the information contained in the application for a sales tax permit and who does not currently hold a sales tax permit, or does not qualify to receive a non-probationary permit as those qualifications are described in this Section, will be issued a probationary permit as allowed by 68 O.S. §1364(B) and implemented by the procedures set out in this Section. When issued, the probationary permit will be effective for six (6) months and will be automatically renewed for an additional thirty (30) months, unless the applicant is given written notice of Tax Commission's refusal to renew the permit.

(c)   Issuance upon receipt of an "initial application." An "initial application" means the first application by an entity for a sales tax permit. Upon receipt of an initial application for a sales tax permit by a person required to obtain a sales tax permit, the Commission may issue a probationary sales tax permit, based on its records, after determining that the applicant appears to be in compliance with all of the tax laws of this state and has, or will be, required to secure a sales tax permit based on the information contained in the application which was submitted.

(d)   Post-issuance review of probationary permit-holder. Once a probationary permit has been issued, the Commission may conduct a compliance visit at the taxpayers place of business or at the location of the books and records of the applicant in Oklahoma, as those locations are set out in the initial application.

(1)   The compliance visit may be made by a telephone call to the offices of the applicant if the Compliance Division Representative believes the information contained in the application may be verified in that manner or in the case where the applicant does not have an established place of business in Oklahoma or has an office located outside of Oklahoma.

(2)   The purpose of the compliance visit is to determine if the applicant qualifies for a sales tax permit and will include:

(A)   Establishing that the taxpayer is engaged in business as a group one or group three vendor, and that the applicant's business activities are not solely those of a consumer-user and therefore the probationary permit should be automatically renewed.

(B)   Determining that the applicant has maintained compliance with all tax laws of the state, rules of the Commission and recordkeeping requirements and offering assistance to aid the applicant in complying with the tax laws of the state, rules of the Commission and recordkeeping requirements where necessary.

(e)   Refusal of the Commission to renew the permit; notice, options available upon refusal.

(1)   If the compliance visit indicates that the applicant is ineligible; if the applicant fails to contact the Commission regarding a compliance visit, after attempted contact; if other circumstances indicate that the applicant does not qualify; or if the applicant is not complying with the tax laws of this State, rules of the Commission and recordkeeping requirements, the Commission shall, prior to the end of the sixth month of the probationary period, give notice that the applicant's probationary permit will not be renewed.

(2)   The notice shall be in writing and shall allow the applicant to request a hearing to show why he permit should be issued.

(3)   Upon receipt of a request for a hearing, the Tax Commission shall set the matter for a hearing and provide notice of the date, time and place of the hearing to the applicant, along with a statement of the reason for refusal. At the hearing the applicant shall appear, state its qualifications for a permit, and provide proof of compliance with all state tax laws. The hearing will not be held sooner than 10 days from the date the notice is mailed.

(4)   Proceedings related to the refusal to issue a sales tax permit shall be governed by OAC 710:1-5-100.

(f)   Compliance reviews not limited to probationary permits. Nothing in this Section shall be construed so as prevent, or circumscribe in any fashion, the authority of the Oklahoma Tax Commission and its appointed agents and representatives, to examine and review the books and records of every taxpayer and business operation for compliance with the tax laws of this State, rules of the Commission and recordkeeping requirements. In all cases where a review results in a determination that the business may not be in compliance with the tax laws of this state, rules of the Commission and recordkeeping requirements a hearing to revoke or suspend any license or permit may be held pursuant to OAC 710:1-5-100, and any other action available by law to the Tax Commission to remedy the deficiency may be pursued.

(g)   Sales / Manufacturers Permit. Each applicant who is engaged in manufacturing at a manufacturing site located in Oklahoma will be issued a Sales/Manufacturers Permit.

(h)   Special event permits. Promoters or organizers of special events must apply for a special events permit at least twenty (20) days prior to the event, provide forms to special event vendors for reporting sales tax collections, collect the sales taxes from the vendors, and remit them, along with daily sales tax reports to the Tax Commission within fifteen (15) days following the conclusion of the special event, pursuant to 710:65-9-8. [See: 68 O.S.Supp.2003, Section 1364.2]

[Source: Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3139, eff 7-11-96; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 2827, eff 6-25-98; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2653, eff 6-25-99; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 2581, eff 6-25-04; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2070, eff 7-1-08; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2354, eff 6-25-09]