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Business
Tax Receipts
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.
What is a Business
Tax Receipt?
A.
Since
1875 the City of Orlando has
issued licenses to those
businesses, professions or
occupations that have locations
or branch offices within our
jurisdiction. The business tax receipt is
proof of payment of the business
tax.
It is required before a
business opens or starts. A business
operating
without a business tax receipt is subject to a
penalty.
Q.
What about Zoning
requirements?
A.
The
City is divided into a variety of
commercial and residential zones,
which groups similar types of
uses together. It is important to check
to see if the location you choose
allows for the type of business
you want to do.
You may contact us at
407.246.2204 to check your
zoning.
Q. How much does a Business Tax
Receipt
cost?
A.
Business Tax
Receipt
fees vary from one classification
to another and many fees are
based on variables like
"number of workers" or
"cost of inventory."
New business tax receipts are prorated
if the business starts on or
after January 1.
The cost is reduced by 10%
of the regular fee in January and by an additional 10% each month
through July.
Contact us for fees pertaining to your specific business at 407.246.2204.
Q.
When will my business tax receipt
expire?
A.
The
business tax receipt year is October 1st -
September 30th. All business tax receipts
expire
September 30th.
Q.
Do I need just one business tax receipt
for my business?
A.
Many
businesses operate under more
than one of the nearly 200
business tax receipt classifications
and are required to have a
business tax receipt for each classification. Additionally,
each location of a business is
considered a separate business and
requires separate business tax receipts.
Q.
What do I need to get my
Business Tax Receipt?
A.
Many
businesses and professions are
regulated by the State of
Florida. In most
cases, the state license, registration or permit must be obtained
prior to receiving your City or County
Business Tax Receipt.
A new business applying
for a business tax receipt using a fictitious name (any name
that does not include the owner's
complete legal name) must
show a copy of the Fictitious Name Registration before a
business tax receipt can
be issued. Fictitious Name
information packets are available by calling 850.487.6058.
A Social Security number
or a Federal Employee Identification number is
also required. Please submit a copy of
your state license, registration or permit
with your
application.
Q.
If I have a City Business Tax Receipt,
do I also need a county
business tax receipt?
A
A. Most
businesses must have both City
and County business tax receipts.
The City business tax receipt must be
obtained first for proper Zoning
approval. Orange County
Occupational License is located
on the 2nd Floor of
the Orange County Administration
Building at 201 S. Rosalind Ave.,
at the corner of Church St. and
Rosalind Ave.
Their phone number is
407.836.5650.
Q.
How do I renew my business tax receipt?
A.
Invoices
are mailed August 1 and are due
no later than October 1 to avoid
penalties of up to 25%. Failure to receive an invoice is not an excuse for
nonpayment. After February 1 an additional penalty of $250 will
be applied to any
unpaid business tax receipt.
Q.
Are business tax receipts transferable?
A.
Business Tax
Receipts
may be transferred two ways:
(1)
To a new owner and/or
(2) to a
new location within the City.
The cost is 10% of the
business tax receipt fee but not less than
$3.00 or more than $25.00.
Q.
Who is exempt from having
a Business Tax Receipt?
A.
Religious, Charitable and Educational
Institutions are exempt when they
are
nonprofit.
Certain disabled persons, the aged, widows
with minor dependents, disabled
veterans and
their unremarried spouses may be exempt.
If you think you
qualify for an exemption, please call us to discuss specific
requirements and the
amount of the exemption.
Q.
How long does it take to
get a City Business Tax Receipt?
A. For
those businesses located in
commercially zoned areas, a
business tax receipt can usually
be obtained in 45 minutes or less
provided the business is a
permitted use.
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