Wyoming Sales Tax Guide

Chapter 5: Filing and paying Wyoming sales tax

Overview

You're registered with the Wyoming Department of Revenue and you've begun collecting sales tax. Congratulations! Remember, those tax dollars don't belong to you. As an agent of the state of Wyoming, your role is that of intermediary transferring tax dollars from consumers to state and local tax authorities. Let's take a deeper look at how filing Wyoming sales tax returns impacts your business.

What does it mean to file an Wyoming sales tax return?

Technically speaking, filing Wyoming sales tax returns is a two-step process comprised of submitting the required sales data and remitting the collected tax dollars (if any) to state and local tax authorities.

In most states, there are a number of options for submitting sales tax data to the state. Business owners may complete a Wyoming sales tax filing form and mail it to the Wyoming Department of Revenue or they can file electronically online. In all states, filing online is recommended.

The filing process forces the business owner to detail their total sales, the amount of sales tax they have collected, and from where. The Wyoming Department of Revenue wants to be kept up to date on your business growth (or lack thereof) to make sure they are getting the tax dollars due. By completing ongoing filing of monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual, or annual Wyoming sales tax returns, they stay abreast of your growing company.

When am I required to file my sales tax return?

The Wyoming Department of Revenue will assign you a filing frequency. Typically, this is determined by the size of your business. State governments typically ask larger businesses to file more frequently. Visit our Wyoming filing due dates page for more information.

Am I required to file and pay my Wyoming sales tax at the same time?

Wyoming sales tax returns must be filed and paid at the same time and are governed by the same due date.

I want to webfile my Wyoming sales tax. What are my options?

Avalara has built the TrustFile product to allow business owners a quick and easy way to prepare and webfile Wyoming sales tax returns. Users can sign up and use the service to prepare Wyoming returns free for 30-days.

Filers may also file directly with the Wyoming Department of Revenue by visiting their site and entering your transaction data manually. This is a free service, but preparing Wyoming sales tax (breaking it down by jurisdiction) can be time consuming - especially for larger sellers.

Can a 3rd party file my sales tax on my behalf?

Yes! Many business owners recognize they are not a tax professional and therefore, choose to outsource their sales tax sales and use tax filing to services like Avalara TrustFile or to an accountant or bookkeeper. This is a normal business practice that can save business owners time and help them avoid costly mistakes due to inexperience and a lack of deep knowledge about Wyoming sales tax code.

What happens if I file or pay my sales tax return late?

The Wyoming Department of Revenue may levy two penalties in the event of late payment of taxes due.

  1. Late Payment: The failure to remit tax due to the Wyoming Department of Revenue in a timely manner may result in a penalty equal to 10 percent of the sales tax due.
  2. Late Filing: The failure to file a Wyoming tax return in a timely manner may result in a penalty of $10.00, regardless of whether any tax is due. If the tax return remains outstanding for more than days following notice from the Wyoming Department of Revenue, you will receive a second notice and be fined an additional $25.00.

Outstanding taxes are charged interest at an interest rate established by the Wyoming State Treasurer annually. Visit the Wyoming Department of Revenue website to determine the rate for the current year.

Do I need to file a return if I didn't collect any sales tax in Wyoming?

Yes! Once you've successfully registered for and been issued a Sales and Use Tax License, you are required to file at the completion of each assigned collection period regardless of whether any sales tax was collected. This is what is known as a "zero-tax filing".

Failure to submit a required zero-tax filing can result in penalties imposed on your business by the Wyoming Department of Revenue so don't take this responsibility lightly.

If I close my business, do I need to file a final sales tax return?

Yes! The Wyoming Department of Revenue requires all businesses to "close their books" by filing a final sales tax return. This also holds true for business owners selling or otherwise transferring ownership of their business.

Does the Wyoming Department of Revenue offer a discount for filing on time?

At this time, the Wyoming Department of Revenue does not offer sales tax filers a vendor discount.