When I first realized I needed to be charging sales tax in my photography business, I felt completely overwhelmed. I had no idea where to begin, what systems I needed to set up, or how to make sure I was doing it correctly. If you’re in that same spot—wondering how to collect and pay sales tax as a photographer—you are not alone.

I created this guide to walk you through the process, step by step. Whether you’re brand new to running a photography business or just now realizing you need to handle sales tax, this post will help you feel confident and in control.

I’m Heather—I’m a wedding photographer and educator who helps photographers build sustainable businesses that actually support their lives (not drain them!). This post is Part 3 of my 4-part series on sales tax for photographers. If you missed the first two, be sure to check out the full playlist after reading.

Let’s dive in.

Register for a Sales Tax License

Before you can start collecting sales tax, you need to be officially registered with your state. This usually means applying for a sales tax license (sometimes called a seller’s permit). You can typically do this through your state’s Department of Revenue website, and most applications take just a few minutes to complete.

Once you’re registered, you’ll receive an account number and instructions on how and when to file your returns. Be sure to save these documents somewhere safe—they’re part of your business’s financial foundation!

Set Up Your Invoicing System Correctly

Now that you’re registered, the next step is to make sure your invoicing system is set up to collect the correct amount of tax. I use a client management system that lets me automatically apply the right sales tax based on the location of the session or wedding.

Double-check that you’re charging sales tax on all taxable goods and services in your state. This can vary—some states only tax physical goods like prints or albums, while others also tax digital files and session fees.

If you’re unsure what’s taxable, your state’s Department of Revenue website is a great place to start—or you can reach out to a tax professional who works with small businesses like yours.

Keep Sales Tax Separate

Here’s a simple but powerful habit: set aside your collected sales tax in a separate account. That money isn’t yours—it belongs to the state—so it’s important not to mix it in with your regular income.

Personally, I transfer the sales tax from each client payment directly into a separate bank account. That way, when it’s time to file, the money is already there and I’m not scrambling to come up with it.

File + Pay On Time

Most states require you to file sales tax returns monthly, quarterly, or annually. Make sure you know your due dates and set calendar reminders so you don’t miss a deadline.

When you go to file, you’ll report your total sales, how much of that was taxable, and how much tax you collected. Then you’ll submit your payment through your state’s portal. It’s usually a simple process—as long as you’ve been keeping everything organized along the way.

Final Thoughts on How to Collect + Pay Sales Tax as a Photographer

If this all still feels a little intimidating, that’s okay. You don’t need to become an accountant overnight—you just need to take it one step at a time.

Learning how to collect and pay sales tax as a photographer isn’t the most exciting part of running your business, but it’s one of the most important. It helps you stay legal, avoid penalties, and build a business you can truly be proud of.

You’ve got this—and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

Be sure to watch the full video on YouTube for even more guidance, examples, and visual walkthroughs.

XOXO – Heather

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And don’t forget to grab the Make Taxes Suck Less Course: A Beginner Photographer’s Guide to Taxes. It includes everything you need to confidently navigate the complexities of business taxes as a photographer.

Let’s make this the year you take control of your business finances!

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Let’s Prep for Tax Season – Together

Keep more of what you make inside of your business with these 5 key deductions for photographers. I’m sharing all inside of my free class — Maximizing Your Tax Deductions as a Photographer!

Make tracking your numbers easy with my Tax Prep Spreadsheet and ensure that tax season is a breeze.

Transform your passion into a thriving business and unlock success for your photography business with my free guide to setting goals for the first year of your photography business.

Mastering your business taxes starts with understanding the different tax categories. Grab my free tax category guide to take the first step towards stress-free taxes today.

Want taxes to suck less? Learn how to correctly prepare your taxes for your accountant with the Photographer Tax Course – and say hello to a confident and calm tax season!

Don’t know what you don’t know? You’re just 90 minutes from a custom tax prep system with my 1:1 Tax Prep Mentoring sessions!

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Other Blogs for Photographers:

What Counts as a Taxable Sale in Photography?
Sales Tax Basics for Photographers – Do You Need to Collect?