Vendor's License (Sales Tax) — Ohio

What it is. The vendor's license required of any business making retail sales of tangible personal property or taxable services in Ohio — the registration to collect and remit sales tax. Restaurants charge sales tax on food eaten on premises, beverages, and retail sales. Ohio does not issue a separate general state business license; the vendor's license is the core registration.

Who issues it. Ohio Department of Taxation, obtained through your County Auditor (Franklin County Auditor for Columbus) (State/county layer).

When you need it. Before making taxable sales. If you hold a Division of Liquor Control permit, the vendor's license must show the identical name and address as the liquor permit — and you may not close the vendor's license until the liquor permit is transferred or closed.

How to apply. Apply for the vendor's license through the county auditor / Ohio Business Gateway.

Fees. Per the county auditor — see source (⟢ VERIFY).

What SpoonSeal tracks. The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.

References

• Ohio Department of Taxation — Sales and Use Tax — https://tax.ohio.gov/business/sales-and-use-tax — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02