Washington Automotive Wholesalers Association

The 13th Washington Small Business Fair is scheduled on September 12 at Renton Technical College. The free event aims to assist new and existing small businesses to grow and survive the recession.

The fair requires no pre-registration. Speakers will be unpaid and no private vendors or selling will be allowed during the event.  Seminars range from understanding taxes to business planning and from marketing to starting a Website. 

A list of exhibitors is expected to be posted at the fair's Website, www.bizfair.org, early in July.  You can also visit the site for directions to the college and updates about the fair.

The Washington Retail Association participates on a planning committee and will exhibit at the fair. There is no single fair sponsor but organizations such as the Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and various state government departments participate in the planning.

About 50 exhibitors participate annually at the fair, attended by up to 1,000 visitors.  Business networking is encouraged during the event.

Starting in January, businesses that purchase items or services for resale or wholesale must have a valid seller's permit in order to avoid paying sales tax.  The system will replace the current resale certificate program.  State officials estimate the change will bring in an additional $100 million in revenue. But it will mark a significant shift, affecting 56,000 retailers and 19,000 wholesalers in Washington.  The following is from the Department of Revenue Website:

Effective January 1, 2010, the resale certificate will be replaced with a seller's permit issued by the Department of Revenue (Senate Bill 6173). Seller’s permits will be issued to businesses that make wholesale purchases, including qualified contractors. The permits allow businesses to purchase items or services for resale without paying retail sales tax.

How do I get a seller's permit?  The Department will issue the first round of seller’s permits based on specific criteria currently being developed. Businesses that don’t automatically receive a seller’s permit may apply directly to the Department. The application will be available in September 2009.

What if I’m getting a permit automatically?  In September 2009, businesses will be notified if they are getting a permit. In October, those receiving permits will get them in the mail.

What if I don’t get a seller’s permit but need to make purchases for resale?  Buyers without seller’s permits must pay retail sales tax on their purchases, but can take a Tax Paid at Source deduction on their tax return, or request a refund.

How long is a seller's permit valid?  The length of time a permit is valid will depend on when a business registered with the Department:Businesses registered:

• before January 1, 2009, will get a permit valid for 4 years.
• on or after January 1, 2009, will get a permit valid for 2 years that can be renewed for 4 years.

Special rules apply to the construction industry. Qualifying contractors must reapply every year because seller’s permits for the construction industry are only valid for 12 months. Contractors will use a separate seller’s permit application that includes detailed information on materials and labor purchased.

The Deptartment of Revenue website will be updated as more information becomes available.

The program goes into effect July 1st and will last until November. The $1 billion in funding for the program should allow approximately 250,000 Americans to trade in their old vehicles for more efficient models.

The new CARS.gov site offers a list of "Frequently Asked Questions" about the program. However, official rules determining whether a vehicle meets the 18 mpg or less requirement have yet to be determined. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which will oversee the program, has about 30 days to develop the rules for implementation of the program. Dealerships interested in participating in the program are directed to register on the site.