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Haylie K
Lv 4
Haylie K asked in Business & FinanceSmall Business · 8 years ago

Can I get a tax ID if I'm not a business owner?

I was browsing some wholesale shops and obviously their prices were so much cheaper, but to purchase from a lot of wholesalers you need a tax ID number and I don't have one. I basically just want to shop for myself or friends, not necessarily for resale (this is accessories, jewelry, etc.) but I guess I could branch out to that. In any case, I just wanted to know if I can get the tax ID without having a registered business. All the sites say you need to decide based on employees and tax forms, but this is just for me.

Thanks.

Update:

Edit: No, I was actually in a wholesale district in my city, where many import/ wholesalers sell things in bulk. I was purchasing bulk items for resale for a class I'm taking, and I was with someone who had a tax ID, so it was okay. I was just wondering if I could buy if I came back on my own. By the way, not every store cares if you have the ID as long as you buy over a dozen items. This is just about those stores that insist on it.

3 Answers

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  • kemperk
    Lv 7
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    you were not browsing wholesalers; you were browsing internet firms who proclaim to be wholesalers.

    the definition of wholesaling is selling BULK amounts of the same thing to retailers.

    you automatically are not eligible.

    go to swap meets, pawn shops and the like..........

  • Steve D
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    Technically, yes you can - newly formed businesses need the ID prior to going into business. However, most wholesalers will verify that you do indeed have or plan to have a business (easy way to find out - you buy large lots versus small lots) and if they determine you are not a business they will stop selling to you.

  • A Hunch
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    You cannot purchase from a wholesale location without owning a business.

    - it would be illegal to sale to you.

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