How to Submit Your Tax Exemption Certificate to Morningstar Screen Printing (And Stay Compliant)

At Morningstar Screen Printing, we’re proud to support nonprofits, resellers, schools, and agencies with tax-exempt purchasing. But to make sure your sales tax is removed correctly , we need you to submit a valid tax exemption certificate before placing your order.

Whether you’re based in Florida or out of state, this guide walks you through what qualifies, how to submit it, and how often you’ll need to renew it.

 

 

What Is a Tax Exemption Certificate?

A tax exemption certificate tells us you’re legally allowed to skip sales tax on eligible purchases—usually because you’re a reseller, nonprofit, or government entity. We accept a few different types, depending on what kind of organization you are.

 

 

Accepted Certificate Types (And Who They’re For)

Resale Certificate (Florida DR-13)

Issued by the Florida Department of Revenue , this certificate allows businesses to buy items for resale without paying tax upfront. It expires every December 31st and must be renewed annually.

Used by:

• Online stores, boutiques, and retailers
• Marketing agencies
• Event planners
• Print brokers

 

Florida Consumer’s Certificate of Exemption (DR-14)

Used by nonprofits, schools, churches, and government-funded programs to make tax-free purchases.

Used by:

• 501(c)(3) organizations
• Public and private schools
• Religious organizations
• City and state departments

 

Direct Pay Permit

Lets large buyers handle tax directly with the state rather than paying it to the seller.

Used by:

• Manufacturers
• Government contractors
• Corporations with internal accounting teams

 

Government or Tribal Exemption

Covers tax-exempt purchases by federal, state, and tribal agencies.

Used by:

• Law enforcement
• Public works departments
• Tribal councils
• Federal programs

 

Out-of-State Certificates

If you’re located outside Florida, and we do business in your state (economic nexus), submitting your exemption certificate can save you from future tax charges.

Used by:

• Out-of-state resellers
• National nonprofits
• Remote e-commerce businesses

 

Other (Please Explain)

A flexible option for niche exemption types. Just upload clear documentation and give us some context.

 

How to Submit Your Certificate

We’ve made it easy:

Fill Out the Tax Exemption Certificate Submission Form

This form uploads your certificate directly into our system and triggers automation to mark your account as tax-exempt.

 

Our Annual Update Policy

To keep your exemption status active:

• Resale Certificates (DR-13) must be renewed annually —they expire every December 31st
• Consumer Exemptions (DR-14) may last multiple years, but we request annual updates anyway
• All other certificates are treated as annual submissions unless clearly stated otherwise by the issuing agency

We’ll remind you each January with a quick link to resubmit your updated certificate.

 

Can You Submit After Ordering and Still Get Tax Removed?

Short answer: No.

If you make a purchase before submitting a valid exemption certificate , Florida law requires us to charge sales tax—and we legally cannot remove or refund it later, even if you submit a certificate afterward.

“Once a taxable sale is made without an exemption certificate on file, the tax is due and cannot be retroactively reversed.”

You may be able to apply for a refund directly from the Florida Department of Revenue using Form DR-26, but it’s time-consuming and not guaranteed.

Best practice: Always submit your certificate before placing your order to avoid unnecessary tax charges and paperwork.

 

Out-of-State Customers: Should You Submit?

Yes—even if we don’t currently collect tax in your state, we recommend submitting your resale or exemption certificate to stay ahead of future tax law changes.

 

Quick Submission Checklist

• Choose your certificate type
• Upload a clear, current document (PDF or image)
• Include your business name and contact details
• Resubmit each year to stay in good standing
• Watch for email confirmation from our team

 

Final Thoughts

Morningstar Screen Printing is here to make custom apparel easy and accessible—especially for our nonprofit and business customers. Submitting your tax exemption certificate on time helps us keep your order smooth, affordable, and compliant.

Submit Your Tax Exemption Certificate Now

Need help? Reach out to our team anytime—we’re happy to walk you through it.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Which certificate should I submit to avoid sales tax?
Short answer: Choose the type that matches your organization and how you purchase:

• Resellers and retailers: Florida Resale Certificate (DR-13)
• Nonprofits, schools, churches, and government-funded programs: Florida Consumer’s Certificate of Exemption (DR-14)
• Large buyers that self-accrue tax: Direct Pay Permit
• Federal, state, or tribal agencies: Government or Tribal Exemption
• Out-of-state buyers where we have economic nexus: Your state’s resale or exemption certificate
• Not listed or niche cases: Select “Other (Please Explain)” and upload clear documentation with context

Question: How do I submit my certificate, and what should I include?
Short answer: Use the Tax Exemption Certificate Submission Form. It uploads your document directly to our system and triggers automation to mark your account as tax-exempt. Include:

• A clear, current certificate (PDF or image)
• Your business/organization name and contact details
• The correct certificate type for your situation You’ll receive an email confirmation from our team once it’s processed.

Question: How often do I need to renew or update my exemption?
Short answer:

• DR-13 Resale Certificates expire every December 31 and must be renewed annually.
• DR-14 Consumer Exemptions can span multiple years, but we request an annual update.
• All other certificates are treated as annual submissions unless the issuing agency clearly states otherwise. We’ll send a reminder each January with a quick link to resubmit your updated certificate.

Question: Can you remove sales tax if I submit my certificate after placing an order?
Short answer: No. If a purchase is made before we have a valid exemption certificate on file, Florida law requires us to charge sales tax—and we cannot remove or refund it later. You may be able to apply for a refund directly from the Florida Department of Revenue using Form DR-26, but it’s time-consuming and not guaranteed. Best practice: submit your certificate before placing any order.

 

Question: I’m located out of state—should I still submit my exemption certificate?
Short answer: Yes. If we do business in your state (economic nexus), having your exemption certificate on file prevents future tax charges. Even if we don’t currently collect tax in your state, submitting now helps you stay ahead of potential tax law changes.