What are my sales and use tax obligations for my catering business?
SALES – You are required to collect and remit sales tax on all sales including rentals, except for sales of food for consumption off the premises where sold. For example, if you are catering a wedding at your facility, you would be required to collect and remit sales tax on the sale of the food and beverages and on the rental of chairs, tables, dishware, stemware, silverware, napkins, tablecloths, silk flowers etc. If you are catering a wedding at a facility arranged for by the wedding party (not your facility or a facility arranged for by you), you would be required to collect and remit tax on sales of all beverages (soda, beer, wine, mixed drinks, etc.) and on all rental items, but you would not be required to collect tax on the sale of food as the food is consumed off the premises where sold. PURCHASES – You would be entitled to claim exemption on the purchase of all items that are purchased for “resale” (food, beverages and/or rental items).
SALES – You are required to collect and remit sales tax on all sales including rentals, except for sales of food for consumption off the premises where sold. For example, if you are catering a wedding at your facility, you would be required to collect and remit sales tax on the sale of the food and beverages and on the rental of chairs, tables, dishware, stemware, silverware, napkins, tablecloths, silk flowers etc. If you are catering a wedding at a facility arranged for by the wedding party (not your facility or a facility arranged for by you), you would be required to collect and remit tax on sales of all beverages (soda, beer, wine, mixed drinks, etc.) and on all rental items, but you would not be required to collect tax on the sale of food as the food is consumed off the premises where sold. PURCHASES – You would be entitled to claim exemption on the purchase of all items that are purchased for “resale” (food, beverages and/or rental items). If you are licensed to conduct a food se
