Louisiana Resale Certificate: How Resellers Get One (2026 Guide)

Before a distributor will sell to you tax-free, Louisiana requires you to document that the purchase is for resale. That is the job of the Louisiana Resale Certificate (state-issued), and getting one is an early, unavoidable step for any reseller based in the state.

This guide covers the Louisiana specifics: which agency issues what, the exact form, what it costs, how long it takes, and how your suppliers will verify it. It is part of our step-by-step wholesale sourcing roadmap.

The documents in Louisiana

Certificate: Louisiana Resale Certificate (state-issued) (R-1064). Prerequisite registration: Louisiana Sales Tax Account/Registration (Direct Marketer or dealer registration). Issuing agency: Louisiana Department of Revenue.

How to get it, in order

1. Register for the Louisiana Sales Tax Account/Registration (Direct Marketer or dealer registration) with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Cost: Free. Typical timing: Online via LaTAP or geauxBIZ, typically a few days to 2 weeks.
2. Unusual: the resale certificate is issued by the state, not self-completed – after registering, dealers apply through LaTAP and LDR issues Form R-1064 with an expiration date printed on it. Suppliers can validate the certificate online.
3. Send the completed certificate to each distributor at account opening, and keep a copy — most suppliers keep blanket certificates on file so you do not repeat this for every order.

Out-of-state suppliers and buyers

Generally no – Louisiana does not accept other states’ resale certificates or the MTC form; resellers are expected to hold an LDR-issued certificate (limited exceptions for some drop-ship documentation).

How suppliers verify your certificate

Louisiana provides an online lookup where a supplier can confirm your registration is valid: official verification tool. Expect serious distributors to use it — verifying buyer credentials is a standard part of wholesale onboarding, and supplier profiles in our catalogue note when a resale certificate is required.

FAQ

Does it expire?

Certificates carry a printed expiration (issued for up to about 2 years) and auto-renew 60 days before expiration if sales activity and tax filings are current; otherwise renew via LaTAP within 45 days of expiration

Can I buy wholesale without one?

Usually yes — but the supplier must then charge you sales tax, which comes straight out of your margin, and some distributors simply refuse accounts without resale documentation. Getting the certificate first is almost always worth it.

Anything specific to Louisiana?

Auto-renewal fails if returns/payments are not current, so stay compliant to keep the certificate active. Local parish sales taxes exist but the state R-1064 is what suppliers need.

Facts above summarise official Louisiana Department of Revenue guidance; requirements change, so confirm current fees and forms at the agency site. Next step in the roadmap: choosing and verifying a supplier.