Business Tax Division

Formerly "Occupational License Tax Section"

Click the new businesses years on the left to download the latest list(s) of new businesses (PDF). Make sure you have the PDF Reader installed. This list is updated weekly. The newest records are at the bottom of the report

Application for Business Tax Certificate

Before doing business in St. Petersburg, you will need a Business tax receipt. 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.

A good place to start is the Business Tax Division. (727) 893-7241. This office is an agency of the City of St. Petersburg's Billing & Collections Department and provides Business taxes for more than 400 business classifications. These classifications have different requirements, as well as different costs.
If you are a contractor and wish to pull permits in St. Petersburg, you will need to register your business with the Construction Services & Permitting Department (727) 893-7231.

If you do work on a structure, or any repairs, additions or alterations to a structure, licenses/registration are first required from the State of Florida and/or Pinellas County.

Business Location

If your business is located inside the City of St. Petersburg, you are required to possess a City of St. Petersburg Business tax receipt.

Your first step should be to determine whether or not your business is located within the city limits of St. Petersburg, which can be done through the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's Office. You may also call them at (727) 582-7652. If the answer is "yes", then you will need a City of St. Petersburg Business tax receipt.

Exceptions: A St. Petersburg Business tax receipt is required for the following business activities regardless of the business address: mobile and temporary businesses, vehicles for hire and insurance companies.

Commercial Locations

A certificate of occupancy from the Construction and Permitting Department may be required. Please contact them at (727) 893-4220 for application information.

Home-Based Businesses

When using your home as a business address, there is a one-time application fee of $10.00. This is in addition to your business tax fee.

Peddling

If you wish to peddle by selling merchandise/ products as you go door-to-door/ business-to-business, you are required to obtain our Business tax receipt. For soliciting, you must obtain an Business tax receipt from the municipality in which your business is located. A permit from our police department is also required.

General Information:

Fictitious Name Registration:
If your business name does not contain your first and last name, you must register your business name with the State of Florida Division of Corporations as a fictitious name. This registration must be completed prior to application for an Business tax receipt. This does not apply to corporations or to those certified with DB&PR. You may register on-line at http://www.sunbiz.org/ or contact them at (850) 488-9000.

Federal Employer Identification Number/Social Security Number
Florida Statues require that you provide us with either your business' Federal Employer Identification number or your social security number. 1 (800) 829-4933. http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/

The State of Florida requires various businesses to register with the Department of Agriculture. Division of Consumer Services, (800) 435-7352

If you wish to file as a corporation, contact: The Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, PO Box 6327 Tallahassee, FL 32314 (850) 488-9000 http://www.dos.state.fl.us/doc/

For social security tax information, contact the Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213, Local office: (727) 893-3176 http://www.ssa.gov/

To apply for a state sales tax number, contact: Department of Revenue, Sales Tax Division, 19337 US Highway 19 N., Suite 200, Clearwater FL 34624-3149 (727) 538-7400 http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/taxes/sales_tax.html

Need assistance starting a business? Click here for our Business Assistance Center

The office for Workers' Compensation, is at 1313 Tampa Street #503, Tampa, FL 33602 813-221-6506 http://www.myfloridacfo.com/wc/