Q: How can I avoid paying sales tax twice, when I am purchasing books I’m going to resell?
Our authors are scattered throughout the US, and at least a half-dozen foreign countries. The greater majority are self-employed and are using their book as a marketing tool to build their brand and grow their business. Many are speakers and sell their book from their website as well as at the back of the room when they are speaking.
If you are an independent, self-published author, and are selling your own books . . . make sure you are not paying sales tax when you buy your own books at cost.
The best way to avoid this is to fill out the Tax Exemption forms on both Amazon/KDP and IngramSpark. Even if you filled out the Tax Exemption form previously on CreateSpace, you will want to check your new KDP account to make sure the information followed you to KDP when your account was transferred last Fall.
- Click HERE for the Amazon/KDP Tax Exemption Form
- Follow these instructions for the IngramSpark Tax Exemption Form
- Log-in to your author account dashboard
- On the left-hand side of your screen is a row of items to select; click on “Tax Information”
- On the next screen, click the option, “Claim US Tax Exemptions”
- Read the next screen, and answer the question, “Do you wish to claim an exemption from US State and Local Sales Tax? Click the “Yes” radial button.
- Click the “Continue” button and follow the instructions to complete the process.
In addition, if you have arranged for the printing of your book through a local traditional printer, remember to also ask them for a Sales Tax Exemption Form. They will have one on file for you to fill out and sign.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions at all . . .