Tax Guide for Florists
Getting Started

If you own a floral business in California and sell flowers and other tangible personal property (merchandise), you are considered a retailer. As a retailer, you must register with us for a seller's permit and regularly file sales and use tax returns. Whether you are a new or existing business owner, you'll find these tools helpful in maintaining your account with us.

Registration

Online Registration – Register with us online to obtain your seller's permit or to add a business location to an existing account.

Filing, Payments and Account Maintenance

Record Keeping

If you hold a California seller's permit or any other CDTFA license or permit, you are required to maintain business records to verify that you have properly reported and paid the taxes and/or fees.

Maintaining complete and concise records will help you keep track of your sales and purchases and will assist you when preparing your sales and use tax returns. You are required to keep records for at least four (4) years, unless directed by us to keep them longer. Not maintaining records may be considered evidence of negligence or as an intent to evade the tax laws. This may result in penalties.

Your records should be adequate so our representatives may:

  • Verify the accuracy of your tax returns; and
  • Determine if you have correctly paid the tax due on your sales and purchases.

Records you should keep include, but are not limited to:

  • Cash register tapes and receipts
  • Purchase invoices
  • Sales invoices
  • Shipping documents
  • Resale certificates
  • Tax returns and supporting documents

For more information on recordkeeping, please see publication 116, Sales and Use Tax Records.