Texas Form 01-931 is the official Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. It allows qualified organizations — including nonprofits, government entities, manufacturers, educational institutions, and qualifying research organizations — to purchase goods and services without paying Texas sales and use tax. Unlike the Resale Certificate (Form 01-339), Form 01-931 does not require a Texas Sales Tax Permit number. Instead, it requires the buyer to identify the specific statutory exemption category that applies to their organization. Presenting this certificate to a supplier legally shifts the responsibility for the tax onto the buyer — meaning if the purchase does not actually qualify, the buyer owes the tax plus penalties. ExemptDocs lets you fill Texas Form 01-931 free online in minutes. Our guided workflow ensures you select the correct exemption category, describe the qualifying use accurately, and sign with a verifiable electronic signature. Your completed certificate includes a unique certificate ID, IP address capture, and timestamp — creating a full audit trail that satisfies Texas Comptroller requirements. Send directly to your supplier from within ExemptDocs. No printing, no scanning, no faxing.
Texas Form 01-931 is used by any organization that qualifies for a specific statutory exemption from Texas sales and use tax but is not purchasing items for resale. Primary users include:
Texas Form 01-931 is a Texas-specific document issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and is only valid for purchases made within Texas. If your organization purchases goods or services in other states, you will need that state's specific exemption certificate. Organizations operating in multiple states should also consider the SST Certificate of Exemption, which covers 24 Streamlined Sales Tax member states with a single form.
The most common reason Texas exemption certificates are rejected is selecting the wrong exemption category or providing an inadequate description of the qualifying use. Other frequent errors include using Form 01-931 when you should be using Form 01-339 (if you are buying for resale), failing to describe the specific exemption reason, and submitting an unsigned certificate. ExemptDocs validates your category selection and prompts you to complete all required fields before your certificate is sent. If you are unsure which exemption applies, our guided workflow explains each category in plain language.
No. Unlike the Resale Certificate (Form 01-339), Texas Form 01-931 does not require a Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit number. However, it does require you to identify the specific exemption category and describe the qualifying use. Some organizations, such as nonprofits, may also reference their IRS determination letter or Texas exemption letter number.
Form 01-339 is a two-sided document — the front page is the Resale Certificate (for businesses buying goods to resell) and the back is the Exemption Certification (for organizations with a statutory exemption). Form 01-931 is a standalone Exemption Certificate for organizations qualifying for a specific exemption other than resale, such as nonprofits, government entities, and manufacturers. ExemptDocs guides you to the correct form based on your situation.
Texas exemption certificates issued under Form 01-931 do not have a statutory expiration date. However, the Texas Comptroller recommends suppliers review and refresh certificates periodically — typically every 3–4 years or when the buying organization's information changes. ExemptDocs stores your certificates and provides renewal reminders.
Not necessarily. A qualifying Texas nonprofit can exempt purchases that are used exclusively for the organization's exempt purpose. Purchases for personal use, unrelated business activities, or fundraising events may still be taxable. Always consult a tax advisor to confirm which purchases qualify for your specific organization.
If your organization is in the process of applying for tax-exempt status and does not yet have a formal exemption, you cannot legally issue Form 01-931. You must pay sales tax until your exemption is formally recognized by the Texas Comptroller. Once approved, you can request a refund of taxes paid during the qualification period in most cases.
Yes. Suppliers are not legally required to accept an exemption certificate, though most do. A supplier may refuse a certificate that is incomplete, appears suspicious, or lacks sufficient detail about the exemption category. Using ExemptDocs ensures your certificate is properly completed and signed, making rejection far less likely. If a supplier rejects your certificate, you may pay the tax and seek a refund from the Texas Comptroller directly.