Business Tax Certificates
Doing Business in St. Pete
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.
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Business Location
A St. Petersburg Business Tax Certificate Receipt is required for business 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 Vehicle Certificates
Public vehicle(s) used for transportation for hire of up to 29 passengers (including the driver), where new fares begin within St. Petersburg City limits need a public vehicle certificate. Learn more on the Public Vehicle Certificate page.
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.
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.
Business owners can 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.
Changes to the business, such as ownership or address change, require that an application be completed. Download the appropriate application or call 727-893-7241 (option 2) to receive an application by fax or mail.
Florida Statute 205.053(1) imposes a delinquent penalty for business taxes renewed after September 30 of each year, as follows:
- 10% penalty if renewed in October
- 15% penalty if renewed in November
- 20% penalty if renewed in December
- 25% penalty if renewed after December 31