Minnesota Sales Tax Certificate of Exemption

Sales Tax Certificate of Exemption
ST3, Certificate of Exemption
Form ST3, Certificate of Exemption
Purchaser: Complete this certificate and give it to the seller.
Seller: If this certificate is not completed, you must charge sales tax. Keep this certificate as part of your records.
This is a blanket certificate, unless one of the boxes below is checked. This certificate remains in force as long as the purchaser continues
making purchases or until otherwise cancelled by the purchaser.
Check if this certificate is for a single purchase and enter the related invoice/purchase order #

.

If you are a contractor and have a purchasing agent agreement with an exempt organization, check the box to make purchases for a specific job. Enter the exempt entity name and specific project:
Project description

Exempt entity name
Name of Purchaser
Business Address

City

Purchaser’s Tax ID Number

State of Issue

If no tax ID number,
Enter one of the following:

FEIN

State

ZIP code

State

ZIP code

Driver’s license number/State issued ID number
State of Issue

Number

Name of seller from whom you are purchasing, leasing, or renting
Seller’s Address

City

Type of Business
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10

Accommodation and food services
Agricultural, forestry, fishing, hunting
Construction
Finance and insurance
Information, publishing and communications
Manufacturing
Mining
Real estate
Rental and leasing
Retail trade

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Transportation and warehousing
Utilities
Wholesale trade
Business services
Professional services
Education and health-care services
Nonprofit organization
Government
Not a business (explain)
Other (explain)

Reason for Exemption (See Instructions)
A Federal government (department)
B Specific government exemption
C Tribal government (name)
D Foreign diplomat #
E Charitable organization #
F Educational organization #
G Religious organization #
H Resale
I Qualifying capital equipment (see instructions when
equipment claimed is part of a construction project)

J
K
L
M

Agricultural production
Industrial production/manufacturing
Direct pay authorization
Multiple points of use (services, digital goods, or computer
software delivered electronically)
N Direct mail
O Other (enter number from instructions)
P Percentage exemption
Advertising (enter percentage)
%
Utilities (enter percentage)
%
Electricity (enter percentage)

%

I declare that the information on this certificate is correct and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. (PENALTY: If you try to evade paying
sales tax by using an exemption certificate for items or services that will be used for purposes other than those being claimed, you may be fined
$100 under Minnesota law for each transaction for which the certificate is used.)
Signature of Authorized Purchaser

Rev. 7/19

Print Name Here

Title

Date

Form ST3 Instructions
Fact sheets and industry guides are available on our website at www.revenue.state.mn.us.

Purchasers

Complete this certificate and give it to the seller. Include your Minnesota tax identification number if you have one. Do not send it to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
Note: You are responsible for knowing if you qualify to claim exemption from tax and will be held liable for any use tax, interest and possible penalties due if the items you purchased are not eligible for exemption.

Sellers

Keep this certificate as part of your records. Accepting a completed exemption certificate relieves you from collecting the tax. If this certificate is not completed, you must charge sales tax. You may be required to provide this exemption certificate (or the data elements required on
the form) to the state to verify this exemption.

Exemption Descriptions

Use these descriptions to complete the Reason for Exemption section.
A.

Federal government — Enter the name of the department. The seller must obtain a purchase order, payment voucher, work order, a
completed Form ST3 or similar documentation to show the purchase was from the federal government. See the Government - Federal
Government Industry Guide.

B.

Specific government exemptions — Enter the specific exemption from the list below.
•

Ambulance services

•

Biosolids processing equipment

•

Bullet-resistant body armor

•

Chore/homemaking services

•

Correctional facility meals or drinks

•

Emergency rescue vehicle repair and replacement parts

•

Emergency vehicle accessory items

•

Firefighter equipment

•

Hospitals

•

Libraries

•

Local Governments

•

Metropolitan Council

•

Nursing homes

•

Petroleum products used by government

•

Regionwide public safety radio communication system

•

Solid waste disposal facility

•

State or local government agency from another state

•

Transit program vehicles

• Water used directly in providing fire protection
See Fact Sheet 142, Sales to Governments, Fact Sheet 135, Fire Fighting, Police and Emergency Equipment, Government - Local Governments Industry Guide, and Fact Sheet 139, Libraries.
C.

Tribal government — All sales to tribal governments are exempt. Enter the name of the tribe. See Fact Sheet 160, Tribal Governments
and Members.

D.

Foreign diplomat — Sales tax exemption cards are issued to some foreign diplomats and consular officials stationed in this country.
Enter the number issued to the foreign diplomat. See the Government - Federal Government Industry Guide.

E.

Charitable organizations — Must be operated exclusively for charitable purposes. You must apply for and receive exempt status authorization from the department. Some nonprofit organizations do not qualify for sales tax exemption. This exemption may not be used for
the purchase of lodging or prepared food. See the Nonprofit Organizations Industry Guide.

F.

Educational organizations — Educational organizations operated exclusively for educational purposes must use Form ST3 on qualifying
purchases. Organizations such as nonprofit professional and trade schools, scouts, youth groups, youth athletic and recreational programs, etc., operated exclusively for educational purposes must apply for exempt status authorization from the department and use Form
ST3 on qualifying purchases. This exemption may not be used for the purchase of lodging or prepared food. See the Nonprofit Organizations Industry Guide.
Continued
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Form ST3 instructions (continued)
G. Religious organizations — Churches and other religious organizations operated exclusively for religious purposes can use Form ST3
without exempt status authorization or may apply for exempt status authorization from the department. This exemption may not be used
for the purchase of lodging or prepared food. See the Nonprofit Organizations Industry Guide.
H. Resale — Items or services must be purchased for resale in the normal course of business. You may not use this exemption if the vendor
is restricted by federal or state law from selling certain products for resale. Liquor retailers cannot sell alcoholic beverages exempt for
resale. M.S.340A.505
I.

Qualifying Capital Equipment — Machinery and equipment purchased or leased primarily for manufacturing, fabricating, mining, or
refining tangible personal property to be sold ultimately at retail if the machinery and equipment are essential to the integrated production
process.
Additional information needs to be provided when the CE exemption is claimed for a construction project that would normally be considered an improvement to real property. The purchaser must provide documentation to the contractor to identify the exempt portion of the
project.
See Fact Sheet 103, Capital Equipment and Fact Sheet 128, Contractors.

J.

Agricultural production — Materials and supplies used or consumed in agricultural production of items intended to be sold ultimately at
retail. Does not cover furniture, fixtures, machinery, tools (except qualifying detachable tools and special tooling) or accessories used to
produce a product. See the Agricultural and Farming Industry Guide.

K. Industrial production — Materials and supplies used or consumed in industrial production of items intended to be sold ultimately at
retail. Does not cover furniture, fixtures, machinery, tools (except qualifying detachable tools and special tooling) or accessories used to
produce a product. See Fact Sheet 145, Industrial Production.
L. Direct pay — Allows the buyer to pay sales tax on certain items directly to the state instead of to the seller. Applicants must be registered
to collect sales tax in order to qualify and must apply for and receive direct pay authorization from the department. The State of Minnesota (all state agencies) has direct pay authorization. This means state agencies pay sales tax directly to the department, rather than to the
seller. Direct pay authorization may not be used for meals and drinks; lodging or related lodging services; admissions to places of amusement or athletic events, or use of amusement devices; motor vehicles; certain services; or memberships to sports and athletic facilities. If
you sell any of the excluded items, you should charge sales tax.
M. Multiple points of use — Taxable services, digital goods, or electronically delivered computer software that is concurrently available for
use in more than one taxing jurisdiction at the time of purchase. Purchaser is responsible for apportioning and remitting the tax due to
each taxing jurisdiction.
N. Direct mail —Allows the buyer to pay sales tax on direct mail directly to the state instead of to the seller. Direct mail is printed material
that meets the three following criteria:
• It is delivered or distributed by U.S. Mail or other delivery service.
• It is sent to a mass audience or to addresses on a mailing list provided by the purchaser or at the direction of the purchaser.
• The cost of the items is not billed directly to recipients.
O. Other exemptions —
1. Aggregate delivered by a third party hauler to be used in road construction. Charges for delivery of aggregate materials by third
party haulers are exempt if the aggregate will be used in road construction.
2.

Airflight equipment. The aircraft must be operated under Federal Aviation Regulations, parts 91 and 135. See the Aircraft Industry
Guide.

3.

Ambulance services — privately owned (leases of vehicles used as an ambulance or equipped and intended for emergency response). Must be used by an ambulance service licensed by the EMS Regulatory Board under section 144E.10. See Fact Sheet 135,
Fire Fighting, Police, and Emergency Equipment.

4.

Aquaculture production equipment. Qualifying aquaculture production equipment, and repair or replacement parts used to maintain and repair it. See the Agricultural and Farming Industry Guide.

5.

Automatic fire-safety sprinkler systems. Fire-safety sprinkler systems and all component parts (including waterline expansions and
additions) are exempt when installed in an existing residential dwelling, hotel, motel or lodging house that contains four or more
dwelling units.

6.

Coin-operated entertainment and amusement devices are exempt when purchased by retailers who (1) sell admission to places of
amusement, or (2) make available amusement devices. See Fact Sheet 158, Vending Machines and Other Coin-Operated Devices.

7.

Construction exemption for special projects under M.S. 297A.71. Certain purchases for the construction of a specific project or
facility are exempt under M.S. 297A.71, such as waste recovery facilities. This exemption does not apply to projects for which you
must pay sales or use tax on qualifying purchases and then apply for a refund.

8.

Exempt publications. Materials and supplies used or consumed in the production of newspapers and publications issued at average
intervals of three months or less. Includes publications issued on CD-ROM, audio tape, etc. See Fact Sheet 109, Printing Industry.
Continued

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Form ST3 Instructions (continued)
9.

Farm machinery. Qualifying farm machinery, and repair or replacement parts (except tires) used to maintain and repair it. See the
Agricultural and Farming Industry Guide.

10. Handicapped accessible (residential building materials). Building materials and equipment purchased by nonprofit organizations
if the materials are used in an existing residential structure to make it handicapped accessible, and the homeowner would have
qualified for a refund of tax paid on the materials under M.S. 297A.71, subd. 11 or subd. 22. Nonprofit organizations include those
entities organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, educational or civic purposes; and veteran groups exempt from
federal taxation under IRC 501(c)(19).
11. Handicapped accessible (vehicle costs). Conversion costs to make vehicles handicapped accessible. Covers parts, accessories and
labor.
12. Herbicides for use on invasive aquatic plants. Starting July 1, 2019, herbicides used under an invasive aquatic plant management
permit are exempt from sales tax. The exemption only applies to herbicides labeled for use in water and registered with the Department of Agriculture for use on invasive aquatic plants. The herbicides must be purchased by lakeshore property owners, a lakeshore
property association, or a contractor hired to provide invasive aquatic plant management.
13. Horse materials. Covers consumable items such as feed, medications, bandages and antiseptics purchased for horses. Does not
cover machinery, tools, appliances, furniture and fixtures. See the Veterinary Practice Industry Guide.
14. Hospitals and outpatient surgical centers. Sales to a hospital and outpatient surgical center are exempt if the items purchased are
used in providing hospital or outpatient surgical services. (M.S. 297A.70, subd. 7)
15. Instructional materials required for study courses by college or private career school students (M.S. 297A.67, subd. 13a)
16. Logging equipment. Qualifying logging equipment, and repair or replacement parts (except tires) used to maintain and repair it. See
Fact Sheet 108, Logging Equipment.
17. Materials used for business outside Minnesota in a state where no sales tax applies to such items; or for use as part of a maintenance contract. This exemption applies only if the items would not be taxable if purchased in the other state (e.g., a state that does
not have sales tax).
18. Materials used to provide certain taxable services. Materials must be used or consumed directly in providing services taxable under
M.S. 297A.61, subd. 3(g)(6).
19. Medical supplies for a health-care facility. Purchases by a licensed health care facility, outpatient surgical center or licensed healthcare professional of medical supplies used directly on a patient or resident to provide medical treatment. The exemption does not
apply to equipment, lab or radiological supplies, etc. See Fact Sheet 172, Health Care Facilities.
20. Motor carrier direct pay (MCDP). Allows motor carriers to pay tax directly to the state when they lease mobile transportation
equipment or buy certain parts and accessories. Applicants must be registered for sales tax in order to apply. You must apply for and
receive MCDP authorization from the Department of Revenue. See the Motor Vehicle Industry Guide.
21. Nonprofit snowmobile clubs. Certain machinery and equipment is exempt when used primarily to groom state (or grant-in-aid)
trails. Prior certification from DNR must be received.
22. Nursing homes and bonding care homes. Sales to nursing homes and boarding care homes are exempt. Nursing homes must be
licensed by the state. Boarding care homes must be certified as a nursing facility.
23. Packing materials. Packing materials used to pack and ship household goods to destinations outside of Minnesota.
24. Poultry feed. The poultry must be for human consumption.
25. Preexisting construction bids and contracts. Tangible personal property or services purchased in relation to a preexisting construction bid or contract are exempt from a new local tax or a tax rate increase for six months from the effective date of the new local
tax or rate increase. This exemption is only for the change in tax on items or services purchased during the transitional period. The
preexisting bid must be submitted and accepted before the effective date of the tax change and the building materials or services
must be used pursuant to an obligation of the bid. A construction contract must have documentation of a bona fide written lump-sum
or fixed price construction contract in force from before the effective date of the tax change.
26. Prizes. Items given to players as prizes in games of skill or chance at events such as community festivals, fairs and carnivals lasting
fewer than six days.
27. Purchasing agent. Allows a business who has been appointed as a purchasing agent by an exempt organization to make purchases
exempt from sales tax. All documentation pertaining to the purchasing agent agreement is kept by the purchasing agent to verify
exemption.
28. Repair or replacement parts used in another state or country as part of a maintenance contract. This does not apply to equipment
or tools used in a repair business.
29. Resource recovery facilities. Applies to equipment used for processing solid or hazardous waste (after collection and before disposal) at a resource recovery facility. You must apply for and receive approval from the department.
Continued

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Form ST3 Instructions (continued)
30. Rolling-stock for railroad use. Railroad businesses involved in interstate or intrastate commerce can buy certain rolling-stock items
exempt. See the Transportation Service Providers Industry Guide.
31. Senior citizen groups. Groups must limit membership to senior citizens age 55 or older, or under 55 but physically disabled. They
must apply for and receive exempt status authorization from the department.
32. Ship repair or replacement parts and lubricants. Repair or replacement parts and lubricants for ships and vessels engaged principally in interstate or foreign commerce. See the Transportation Service Providers Industry Guide.
33. Ski areas. Items used or consumed primarily and directly for tramways at ski areas, or in snowmaking and snow-grooming operations at ski hills, ski slopes or ski trails. Includes machinery, equipment, water additives and electricity used in the production and
maintenance of machine-made snow.
34. Solar energy system means a set of devices whose primary purpose is to collect solar energy and convert and store it for useful
purposes including heating and cooling buildings or other energy using processes, or to produce generated power by means of any
combination of collecting, transferring, or converting solar-generated energy.
35. Taconite production items. Mill liners, grinding rods and grinding balls used in taconite production if purchased by a company
taxed under the in-lieu provisions of M.S. 298 if they are substantially consumed in the production of taconite. See Fact Sheet 147,
Taconite and Iron Mining.
36. Telecommunications, cable television and direct satellite equipment used directly by a service provider primarily to provide those
services for sale at retail. See Fact Sheet 119, Telecommunications, Pay Television, and Related Services. This exemption was not
in effect from July 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014.
37. Textbooks required for study to students who are regularly enrolled.
38. Tribal government construction contract. Materials purchased on or off the reservation by tribal government or non-tribal government contractors and subcontractors for use in construction projects on the reservation when the tribe or a tribally owned entity is a
party to the contract, and the contract is being undertaken for the purpose of the tribe’s welfare. It does not extend to the purchase or
lease of equipment or tools for use on the project.
41. TV commercials. Covers TV commercials and tangible personal property primarily used or consumed in preproduction, production
or post-production of a TV commercial. Includes rental equipment for preproduction and production activities only. (Equipment
purchased for use in any of these activities is taxable.) See Fact Sheet 163, TV Commercials.
42. Veteran organizations. Limited exemption applies to purchases by veteran organizations and their auxiliaries if they are organized
in Minnesota and exempt from federal income tax under IRC Section 501(c)(19); and the items are for charitable, civic, educational
or nonprofit use (e.g. flags, equipment for youth sports teams, materials to make poppies given for donations).
43. Waste-management containers and compactors purchased by a waste-management service provider to use in providing wastemanagement services that are subject to solid-waste management tax.
44. Wind energy systems. Wind energy conversion systems and materials used to construct, install, repair or replace them.
P.

Percentage Exemptions —
•

Advertising materials: Percentage exemptions may be claimed for advertising materials for use outside of Minnesota or local taxing
area. Purchaser must enter exempt percentage on Form ST3. See Fact Sheet 133, Advertising.

•

Utilities: Exemption applies to percent of utilities used in agricultural or industrial production. General space heating and lighting is
not included in the exemption. Purchaser must enter exempt percentage on Form ST3. See the Agricultural and Farming Industry
Guide and Fact Sheet 129, Utilities Used in Production.
Electricity: Exemption applies to percent of electricity used to operate enterprise information technology equipment, or used in
office and meeting spaces, and other support facilities in support of enterprise information technology equipment. Purchaser must
enter exempt percentage on Form ST3. See Revenue Notice 16-07: Sales Tax – Exemptions – Qualified Data Centers.

•

Forms and Information

Website: www.revenue.state.mn.us.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-296-6181 or 1-800-657-3777

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