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Registration guide

Should I register for sales tax in Michigan?

Before you register for sales tax in Michigan, check whether you actually have to. Registering when you don't owe just adds a recurring return — here's exactly when Michigan requires it.

By John DoeReviewed by Jane Doe, CPAUpdated June 2026How we verify
Economic threshold
$100,000 in sales or 200 transactions
Measured over
previous calendar year (January 1 – December 31)
In effect since
October 2018
Marketplace sales count?
Yes
Registration fee
Free

Source: Michigan Department of Treasury

When you must register

You must register in Michigan if you have physical presence there (inventory, staff, an office) or you cross $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions (previous calendar year (January 1 – December 31)). Below that, with no physical presence, you generally don't have to.

Nexus & savings calculator

Estimate whether you still have nexus in Michigan — and what canceling could save.

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$
  • Physical presence
  • Sales over $100,000
  • Over 200 transactions
Still has nexus

You likely still have nexus in Michigan because of more than 200 transactions — Michigan still counts transactions. Keep filing here for now.

Trailing nexus: Michigan applies trailing nexus — expect to keep filing for roughly 12 months after your nexus ends. Confirm the exact window before canceling.

Filing cost here today

$600/ yr

Read the Michigan guide →

Estimate only — general education, not tax advice. Confirm with Michigan's tax authority before you register or deregister.

When registration is required in Michigan

Michigan requires registration once you cross $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions, measured over previous calendar year (January 1 – December 31). Michigan still counts transactions: crossing 200 transactions creates nexus even on modest revenue.

Physical presence registers you regardless of sales. Storing inventory in Michigan (e.g., Amazon FBA fulfillment centers) creates physical nexus immediately with no minimum sales threshold.

The marketplace nuance most sellers miss

If you sell only through a marketplace like Amazon or Etsy, the marketplace facilitator generally collects and remits Michigan tax for you, so you may not need your own permit. But those facilitated sales still count toward your threshold — so direct sales (your own Shopify/WooCommerce store) can still push you over.

How to register in Michigan

Register through Michigan Treasury Online (MTO), which is free. Michigan has been a full SST member since October 1, 2005.

Don't over-register

Most over-registered sellers signed up defensively across many states after 2018. If you're under Michigan's threshold with no physical presence, registering early just creates a recurring zero-dollar return. Register when you truly must — and track the states where you can stop.

Where TrailingZero fits

TrailingZero connects to your store read-only, maps where you actually have nexus state by state, and flags when you genuinely cross Michigan's threshold — and where you've already dropped below and can deregister. During any wind-down it can file the zero-dollar returns so nothing lapses — and you only pay for the states you genuinely keep. Run a free audit anytime; this page is free education either way.

Michigan Should I register FAQ

Do I need to collect sales tax in Michigan?
Only once you have nexus: physical presence, or crossing $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions over previous calendar year (January 1 – December 31). Under that, with no physical presence, you generally don't.
Does Michigan still count transactions?
Michigan still counts transactions: crossing 200 transactions creates nexus even on modest revenue.
Do marketplace sales count toward the Michigan threshold?
Yes — even though the marketplace collects the tax, those sales count toward whether you must register.
Is this tax advice?
No. This page is general education built from public sources and the rules change often. Confirm your specific situation with the state's tax authority or your accountant before you register or deregister.

More on Michigan sales tax

See what you can stop paying in Michigan

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Other states

See all states →

Sources

Primary sources reviewed for this page. Data current as of June 2026.

TrailingZerois software, not a CPA or law firm, and this page is general education — not tax or legal advice. State rules and thresholds change frequently; confirm your situation with the state's tax authority or your accountant before you register or deregister. See how we research and review this data in our editorial & accuracy policy.