Who Qualifies
Businesses with valid state-issued tax exemption certificates or resale certificates. This includes collision repair shops, dealerships, wholesale distributors, and other qualifying commercial entities.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to set up tax-exempt purchasing on your account:
- Create an account on refinishgo.com (or log into your existing account)
- Email a copy of your tax exemption or resale certificate to our team
- Include your account email address and business name
- We verify the certificate and update your account within 1 business day
- All future orders are automatically tax-exempt
Consumables & Miscellaneous Products
Federal and state tax regulations treat certain consumable and miscellaneous products differently from goods purchased for resale. This affects items such as:
- Sandpaper & abrasives (discs, sheets, rolls, scuff pads)
- Plastic sheeting & masking materials (film, tape, paper)
- Disposable supplies (mixing cups, strainers, tack cloths, gloves)
- Cleaning solvents & prep products consumed during the repair process
If You Are the End User
If your shop consumes these products during the course of a repair — meaning the product is used up and not passed along as a separate line item to the customer — sales tax will be charged regardless of your exemption status. This is a national rule that applies in virtually every state. Because these items are consumed by the purchaser rather than resold, they do not qualify for resale exemption.
If You Are Reselling These Products
If you purchase consumable or miscellaneous products with the intent to resell them — for example, a distributor buying sandpaper to resell to body shops — you will not be charged sales tax provided you have a valid resale certificate on file. The key distinction is whether you are the final end user or whether the product continues through the supply chain to another buyer.
How We Handle This
When your tax-exempt account is set up, our team will work with you to determine which product categories qualify under your specific exemption. If your certificate is a resale certificate, all eligible products (including consumables you intend to resell) will be exempt. If your certificate is a use-based exemption, consumable products used in your own operations will still be taxed per state and federal guidelines.
Important Notes
- Certificates must be valid and current — expired certificates cannot be accepted
- Tax exemption applies only in states where your certificate is valid
- If your certificate expires, you must submit a renewed certificate to maintain exempt status
- Tax exemption cannot be applied retroactively to previous orders
- Consumable products consumed by the purchaser are taxable by law — this applies even with a valid exemption certificate unless you hold a resale certificate and are reselling the products
Need Help?
Contact us with any questions about the tax exemption process. Our team will walk you through the steps and ensure your account is set up correctly.
