If you sell taxable goods or services in New York, you must register with the NY Department of Taxation and Finance for a Certificate of Authority before you collect any sales tax. This isn’t optional. Collecting sales tax without proper registration is illegal, even if you intend to remit the money to the state.

The registration requirement catches many service business owners off guard. They assume sales tax only applies to retail stores selling physical products. That’s not how New York works. The state taxes a long list of services that surprise people when they first learn about them.

Cleaning services are taxable in New York. This includes commercial janitorial, residential cleaning, window cleaning, and pressure washing. Security services are taxable. Many landscaping and property maintenance services fall under taxable categories as well. If you’re running any kind of service business on Long Island, you need to check whether your specific services are subject to sales tax.

The NY Department of Taxation and Finance publishes detailed guidance on which services are taxable under Tax Law Section 1105. When in doubt, look it up or ask a professional before you start operating. Getting clarity upfront costs nothing. Getting caught collecting tax without a Certificate of Authority or failing to collect when you should have can mean penalties, back taxes, and interest that add up quickly.

Registration itself is straightforward. You can apply online through NY Business Express. You’ll need your EIN or Social Security Number, business information, and details about your expected sales. The state issues your Certificate of Authority, which you should keep on file and display if required for your business type.

One thing to note about exemptions. Nonprofits may be exempt from paying sales tax on their own purchases, but if they sell taxable goods or services, they still need to collect and remit sales tax like any other business. The exemption works one direction, not both.

Keeping accurate records of sales tax collected is essential for quarterly filings and potential audits. Long Island bookkeeping services can help you track sales tax properly so you’re not scrambling when filing deadlines arrive or guessing at numbers when the state asks questions. Getting this right from the start saves headaches later.