This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Permit and tax rules change, and your situation may differ. Always confirm current requirements with the official state agency linked in this guide, and consult a licensed attorney or tax professional for advice about your specific business.Last verified against official state sources: 2026-06-11
Anyone engaging in business in the District, including selling handmade crafts at an in-person event, must register with OTR and collect DC sales tax. Vending at a special event requires the FR-500 new business registration plus the FR-500B special event registration.
Register online through the MyTax.DC.gov new business registration flow; no official turnaround is published.
OTR runs a dedicated special events program: register via MyTax.DC.gov (FR-500 plus FR-500B), then file the Special Event Sales and Use Tax Return (FR-800SE) by the 20th of the month after the event, electronically.
DC exempts casual and isolated sales by a vendor not regularly engaged in retail selling, with no published dollar threshold. A crafter who repeatedly sells at fairs is regularly engaged in retail sales and would not qualify.
DC is a single taxing jurisdiction with one district-wide rate and no local add-ons. Heads up: the general rate is 6.0 percent only until October 1, 2026, when it rises to 7.0 percent by statute (DC Code 47-2002), so vendors at fall 2026 events will charge the new rate.
DC's DLCP requires a Vending Business License for street vending, defined as selling from public space; whether a vendor at a private indoor craft fair needs their own Basic Business License is not clearly addressed on DLCP pages, so confirm with the Business Licensing Division at (202) 442-4311. The General Business BBL runs $49 for 6 months or $99 for 2 years.
Failure to file or pay carries 5 percent of tax per month up to 25 percent (DC Code 47-4213), and operating an unlicensed vending business is illegal and subject to fines.
Promoters of events with at least 50 vendors must give OTR a preliminary vendor list 30 days before the event and a final list within 10 days after, with penalties up to $10,000 for missing lists. Event organizers may also need a DLCP Special Events license ($70 application plus $205 per day, 60 days ahead).
Organizing an event? List your fair on TheCraftMap to reach thousands of vendors.
Anyone engaging in business in the District, including selling handmade crafts at an in-person event, must register with OTR and collect DC sales tax. Vending at a special event requires the FR-500 new business registration plus the FR-500B special event registration.
Sales and Use Tax Registration (FR-500, plus FR-500B for special event vendors), issued by the DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR). Cost: Free. Register online through the MyTax.DC.gov new business registration flow; no official turnaround is published.
DC exempts casual and isolated sales by a vendor not regularly engaged in retail selling, with no published dollar threshold. A crafter who repeatedly sells at fairs is regularly engaged in retail sales and would not qualify.
DC is a single taxing jurisdiction with one district-wide rate and no local add-ons. Heads up: the general rate is 6.0 percent only until October 1, 2026, when it rises to 7.0 percent by statute (DC Code 47-2002), so vendors at fall 2026 events will charge the new rate.
DC's DLCP requires a Vending Business License for street vending, defined as selling from public space; whether a vendor at a private indoor craft fair needs their own Basic Business License is not clearly addressed on DLCP pages, so confirm with the Business Licensing Division at (202) 442-4311. The General Business BBL runs $49 for 6 months or $99 for 2 years.
Browse upcoming craft fairs in Washington DC with booth fees and application deadlines, read our picks for the best Washington DC craft fairs, and use the booth ROI calculator to plan your season.
Last verified: 2026-06-11. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.