Fireworks Retail Stands

(Licensing Period: January 1 – June 30 each year)

Anyone interested in selling fireworks to consumers during the fireworks season (June 25 through July 4) must complete an application and pay a $25 non-refundable licensing fee. The stand must be within the limits of an incorporated city or village. Fireworks must be purchased from a licensed distributor or jobber and must be listed on the permissible list.

One change of location is permitted within the same city once a license has been issued. Any subsequent change of location will require a new application and fee to be submitted. If the location is moved to another city, a new application and fee must be submitted and the first license will be voided.

Applications for retail stands are accepted only between January 1 and close of business on June 30 each year. Applications may be completed online only if a credit card (Master Card or Visa) is used for payment. Otherwise, the application form may be downloaded or requested from Jodi at (402) 471-2027. The fee must be paid with a check or money order. We ask that one check be sent with multiple applications if possible. Any application received/postmarked after midnight June 10 must include a $50 late fee per stand in addition to the $25 fee.

Any changes must be submitted on the change form. If the original application was completed online, the paper change form must be completed and mailed or faxed to the Lincoln office. The paper form may be downloaded or obtained from Jodi. The license number must be entered on the change form. Failure to do so will result in a delay of processing the change.

It is not necessary to have your sales tax number at the time you apply for your retail license although you must obtain one eventually and pay sales tax on the items you sell. If you will have multiple stands, you only need one sales tax number for all the stands; not one per stand. To obtain a sales tax number or for answers to your questions regarding sales tax collection/payment, contact Pat Kreifels at the Department of Revenue (402) 471-5719 or call the Department’s Taxpayer Assistance toll free number (800) 742-7474. You may also download the form, Form 20 Application, from Revenue’s website.

Applicants are subject to all provisions of State Statutes and regulations governing fireworks. It is the applicant’s responsibility to read and comply with these requirements. These requirements are subject to change without notice. Applicants should also read “Rules for Retail Sales of Consumer Fireworks.”

Online Application
The screens are self-explanatory. Please read all instructions on each screen carefully. Please go slowly through the screens and make sure you enter the information correctly the first time. Do not use your browser’s Back button as this may cause problems in submitting your application. At the end of the process, you will have the opportunity to edit all information except for retail and storage information.

If you will have multiple retail locations it will be possible to enter information for up to 10 locations on the same application. Enter the number of locations; click Continue and the next screen will have the indicated number of forms to complete.

You may select multiple distributors if necessary. Read the instructions provided in the online application to accurately make your selection(s) of distributors. Only those distributors and jobbers who have licensed will appear in the list. If your distributor and/or jobber do not appear, please do not select another distributor in order to complete your application. You should close your browser (no charges will be made against your credit card) and contact your distributor. If some of your distributors and/or jobbers appear but not all, proceed with your application but submit a Change form when your other distributors have licensed so we will have accurate license information for your stands. It could take up to 5 business days to add new distributors/jobbers to the list once they have licensed.

Jobbers cannot select themselves as the distributor for their retail stands. They must select their distributor(s). Others applying for a retail stand license should select the distributor(s) and/or jobber(s) they will be obtaining fireworks from.

Once you have submitted your application, a screen will appear with your pending license number and a password. It is recommended you print this page for your records. This is your confirmation of the transaction. If you do not receive this page or if it appears to be incomplete, e.g., password is asterisks, then your transaction do not go through successfully and you will need to start again. If you need to make a change you will need to download the Change Form from the website or contact Jodi for a form. Please do not close your browser until you have received the confirmation screen and printed off the information. Doing so will result in your credit card information coming through without any data and will delay issuance of a license.

You will receive an email advising if your application was approved or denied. If approved, you will receive your license by mail within 10 business days. If your application is denied, the email will give the reason(s) why. You will need to reapply and correct the problems. No charges will be made against your credit card until your application is accepted.

Again, please go slowly through the screens and read all instructions. Most importantly – do not forget to print off your confirmation page.