Business Tax Certificates
Doing Business in St. Pete
The Business Tax Division is part of The Billing & Collections Department. We are responsible for the issuance and collection of all Business Tax Receipts. The local Business Tax Receipt (in accordance with Chapter 205 of the Florida Statutes & Chapter 17 of the city code) grants the privilege of engaging in or managing any business, profession, or occupation within our jurisdiction.
Before doing business in St. Petersburg, business owners need to obtain a Business Tax Certificate Receipt, formerly known as an Occupational License Tax. This is an annual business tax for all businesses, professionals, independent contractors, and individuals who accept compensation for merchandise or services who are located in the city limits of St. Petersburg.
Business Tax Application
The Business Tax Division provides Business certificate receipts for more than 400 business classifications. These classifications have different requirements, as well as different costs.
Contractors who wish to pull permits in St. Petersburg will need to register their business with the Construction Services and Permitting Department by contacting 727-893-7231.
Individuals doing work on a structure, or making any repairs, additions, or alterations to a structure, need to first acquire licenses/registration from the State of Florida and/or Pinellas County.
Click Requirements & More below for additional services.
Business Location
A St. Petersburg Business Tax Certificate Receipt is required for businesses located inside the city of St. Petersburg. Determine whether or not the business is located within the St. Pete city limits by contacting the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's Office at 727-582-7652.
Mobile and temporary businesses, vehicles for hire, and insurance companies are exceptions to this rule and are required to obtain a St. Petersburg Business Tax Certificate Receipt, regardless of their business address.
Additional Requirements & Specialized Information
Commercial Locations
For commercial locations, a certificate of occupancy from the Construction and Permitting Department may be required. Please contact them at 727-893-7231. Commercial location application.
Peddlers & Mobile Vending Vehicles
For peddlers and/or mobile vending vehicles, like ice cream trucks or meat trucks, a permit from the police department is required to peddle by selling merchandise or products door-to-door or business-to-business. A Business Tax Certificate Receipt is also required. For more details view the Solicitor / Peddler / Canvasser application.
Public Service Tax
Individuals collecting a Public Service Tax for the sale of Metered or Bottled Gas and/or Fuel Oil will need to submit this form on a monthly basis.
Applying Fertilizer
Anyone applying fertilizer must obtain a certificate of training through Pinellas County Extensions before they can add this type of service to their business tax certificate. For details visit the Pinellas County Fertilizer page.
Documents Required for Businesses Prior to Receiving Your Business Tax
Any person applying for or renewing their business tax receipt to practice any profession or engage in or manage any business or occupation regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Florida Supreme Court, or any other state regulatory agency, including any board or commission thereof, must provide an active state certificate, registration, or license, or proof of copy of the same, before such local business tax receipt may be issued.
Examples
Contractors / Specialty Contractors:
All contractors licensed and regulated through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and/or the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board (PCCLB).
State Certified Contractors:
Those contractors who are certified through the DBPR shall submit the following:
- A copy of the active license issued by the DBPR.
- A copy of the current PCCLB.
Pinellas County Certified Contractors:
Those contractors who are certified through the PCCLB shall submit the following:
- A copy of the current PCCLB registration card.
- If your profession requires licensure through DBPR, you must submit a copy of that license as well.
Food Service / Restaurants / Convenience store / Gas station:
A copy of current license from Division of Hotel and Restaurants or Dept. of Agriculture/Food Safety
Dwelling (5 units or more):
A copy of current license from Division of Hotel and Restaurants
Motor Vehicle Repair (MVR):
A copy of the MVR registration issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Physicians / Massage Therapists:
A copy of current state license from the Department of Health and Human Services from the state of Florida
Attorneys:
A copy of your state of Florida Bar card or Bar number
Nail Specialist / Barber / Cosmetologist / Skin Care Specialist:
A copy of your Division of Business & Professional Regulations (D.B.P.R.) License
Business Tax Renewal
Business Tax Certificate Receipts expire on September 30th of each year. Although the City normally mails renewal notices during July of each year, the tax is due on or before September 30th regardless of whether a renewal notice was received. To avoid a late charge penalty, payment must be received by the Business Tax Division office no later than September 30th.
Business owners must have their mailed or emailed renewal notice that provides the necessary numbers in order to complete an online renewal payment. If there are any changes to the business name, type of work, ownership, phone number, mailing information, or address, the renewal must be done by mail or in person.
Can I renew online?
Yes, click Renew License Online above. This will bring you to the local business tax page where you can renew. You will need your license number and PIN to complete. Business owners can also request a renewal notice by calling 727-893-7241 (option 2) to obtain their license and PIN numbers to complete the renewal online.
Business owners who have received a renewal notice should mail the notice with their payment in the envelope provided or drop payment into one of the two drop boxes located outside at 325 Central Ave. or One 4th St. N. These boxes are labeled for utility payments.
Is there a penalty for late payment?Yes, Florida Statute 205.053 (1) imposes a delinquent penalty for business taxes renewed after September 30 of each fiscal year, as follows:
- Penalty if renewed in October - 10% of tax
- Penalty if renewed in November - 15% of tax
- Penalty if renewed in December - 20% of tax
- Penalty if renewed after December 31 - 25%
*Please note that these penalty fees cannot be waived by the City.
Additional Penalties: Individuals or companies engaging in a business, occupation, or profession without first obtaining a St. Petersburg Business tax, are subject to a penalty of 25 percent, per Florida Statute 205.053 (2). City code allows one calendar month from the date we give the business their first written notice of business taxes due before assessing the 25 percent penalty.
I'm out of business or relocated outside the City of St. Petersburg.
If you are no longer in business or you have relocated your business outside the city, please contact our office by phone or email regarding your business closure. At time of renewa, sign, and return renewal application to verify your business closure. There is no fee for this service. If we do not receive notification of your relocation or closing, the city will presume you are still operating a business and you could face penalties.
I've made changes to my business information.
If you have changed your name, home address, business name, mailing address or if there are any other items which require correction or updating, please contact us at License@Stpete.org with changes. (A new application and a $3.00 transfer fee may be required.)
I'm relocating my business to another location within the City limits.
If you have relocated or are planning to relocate your business from one location to another location within the City then you must transfer the local business tax receipt to the new location. To do so you must complete and submit a new application along with the transfer fee of $3.00 and current business tax receipt. During renewal submit form along with changes.
I've sold my business.
If you sold the business, please notify us of the buyer’s name, address, telephone number, email, etc. Local business tax receipts may be transferred to a new owner when there is a bona fide sale of the business upon completion of a new local business tax application, payment of a transfer fee of $3.00, presentation of the original receipt signed by original owner, and evidence of the sale.
I'm exempt from payment of local business taxes, why am I receiving a renewal notice?
Even businesses that are “exempt” from payment, are required to return the renewal notice to renew their local business tax receipt. If there are any informational changes please notify us, which require corrections or updating please provide these as well so that we can update our records. Please notify us if you are no longer doing business.