Navigating Sales Tax in Michigan

This guide provides an overview of Sales Tax in Michigan, including applicable rates, registration requirements, compliance obligations, and filing deadlines. It is designed for businesses engaging in transactions within Michigan.

Last Updated: May 2025
Group 427320837 e1763784339445

70%

of sales tax revenue supports the School Aid Fund for public education.

Michigan at a glance.

State

Michigan

Tax Rate Range

No local sales tax

Economic Nexus Threshold

$100,000 in gross sales or 200 transactions

Filling Deadlines

20th of the month following the reporting period

Is SaaS Taxable?

No - subject to specifics

Base Tax Rate:

6%

When should your
business collect Sales
Tax in Michigan?

A business must collect Michigan sales tax once it establishes either physical or economic nexus. Once nexus is reached, sellers must register via MTO, obtain their sales tax account, and collect the tax at 6% on all taxable Michigan sales.

Michigan physical sales tax nexus.

A business establishes physical nexus in Michigan when it maintains any physical presence or activity that supports sales.

Sales tax physical nexus checklist for Michigan

The following conditions might establish a physical nexus in Michigan:

Which services are taxable in Michigan?

Michigan taxes only certain services, primarily those connected to tangible property or specific digital deliverables.

Michigan sales tax information:

Michigan is destination-based, applying the 6% statewide rate to the sales price, including shipping if it is part of a taxable sale. Separately stated shipping may be exempt; handling is taxable.

Michigan taxes tangible personal property, downloaded software, certain digital goods, and shipping that is bundled with taxable items.

Register online through Michigan Treasury Online (MTO) by creating a user profile; registration is free, and online applications are recognized within 15 minutes, though processing may take up to 48 hours. Paper Form 518 is available for manual applications.

Once registered, sellers must collect the 6% tax on taxable sales, use destination sourcing, separately state exempt shipping, and file returns through MTO. Michigan does not offer vendor discounts and requires prepayments for sellers with annual liabilities of $720,000+.

Sales Tax return due dates explained.

Michigan assigns filing frequency annually and requires all filers (monthly, quarterly, or annual) to submit returns electronically unless paper filing has been approved. Monthly filers submit returns by the 20th of the following month, quarterly filers by the 20th after each quarter, and annual filers by February 28. Michigan also requires an additional annual return for all filers. Due dates shift to the next business day if they fall on a weekend or state holiday.

FAQs

Shipping is taxable when included in the sale price, but exempt when separately stated. Handling charges are always taxable.

Yes. Michigan requires marketplaces to collect and remit tax for third-party sellers.

Businesses should retain records for at least 4 years to meet Michigan audit requirements.

Related content.

Navigating Sales Tax in Michigan

This guide provides an overview of Sales Tax in Michigan, including applicable rates, registration requirements, compliance obligations, and filing deadlines. It is designed for businesses engaging in transactions within Michigan.

Last Updated: May 2025
Group 427320837 e1763784339445

70%

of sales tax revenue supports the School Aid Fund for public education.

Michigan at a glance.

State

Michigan

Tax Rate Range

No local sales tax

Economic Nexus Threshold

$100,000 in gross sales or 200 transactions

Filling Deadlines

20th of the month following the reporting period

Is SaaS Taxable?

No - subject to specifics

Base Tax Rate:

6%

When should your
business collect Sales
Tax in Michigan?

A business must collect Michigan sales tax once it establishes either physical or economic nexus. Once nexus is reached, sellers must register via MTO, obtain their sales tax account, and collect the tax at 6% on all taxable Michigan sales.

Michigan physical sales tax nexus.

A business establishes physical nexus in Michigan when it maintains any physical presence or activity that supports sales.

Sales tax physical nexus checklist for Michigan

The following conditions might establish a physical nexus in Michigan:

Which services are taxable in Michigan?

Michigan taxes only certain services, primarily those connected to tangible property or specific digital deliverables.

Michigan sales tax information:

Michigan is destination-based, applying the 6% statewide rate to the sales price, including shipping if it is part of a taxable sale. Separately stated shipping may be exempt; handling is taxable.

Michigan taxes tangible personal property, downloaded software, certain digital goods, and shipping that is bundled with taxable items.

Register online through Michigan Treasury Online (MTO) by creating a user profile; registration is free, and online applications are recognized within 15 minutes, though processing may take up to 48 hours. Paper Form 518 is available for manual applications.

Once registered, sellers must collect the 6% tax on taxable sales, use destination sourcing, separately state exempt shipping, and file returns through MTO. Michigan does not offer vendor discounts and requires prepayments for sellers with annual liabilities of $720,000+.

Sales Tax return due dates explained.

Michigan assigns filing frequency annually and requires all filers (monthly, quarterly, or annual) to submit returns electronically unless paper filing has been approved. Monthly filers submit returns by the 20th of the following month, quarterly filers by the 20th after each quarter, and annual filers by February 28. Michigan also requires an additional annual return for all filers. Due dates shift to the next business day if they fall on a weekend or state holiday.

FAQs

Shipping is taxable when included in the sale price, but exempt when separately stated. Handling charges are always taxable.

Yes. Michigan requires marketplaces to collect and remit tax for third-party sellers.

Businesses should retain records for at least 4 years to meet Michigan audit requirements.

Related content.

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