Business Tax Receipt
Business Tax Receipts can be paid in person or mail by using cash, cashiers check or money order, and for your convenience we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express along with debit cards displaying the credit card logo present on the card. There is however, a 2.49% additional convenience charge if you choose to pay by means of any of the above mentioned credit cards or debit card displaying a credit card logo (in person or by mail). To pay by mail you must supply our office with the type of card being used, your credit card number, the billing name and address and the expiration month and year along with a phone number (in order to reach you if a problem arises). To pay online you may only use Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express and a convenience fee will be charge to each transaction process over the web. The site will advise you of the charge before you move forward in your transaction.
A Business Tax Receipt is issued by the Tax Collector for the privilege of operating a business. Anyone providing merchandise or services to the public, even through a one-person company or home based occupation, must obtain a county permit to operate. In some cases, if a business performs several functions, it may be necessary to acquire more than one Business Tax Receipt.
Before an Okaloosa County Business Tax Receipt can be issued, a business must meet all conditions required by city, county, state or federal agency regulations which apply to that business or occupation. Many businesses will be subject to zoning codes.
In Okaloosa County, a business located within a city limit requires both a municipal license and a county Business Tax Receipt to operate. If the nature of a business takes employees inside a city limit to conduct business even though the business establishment is in the county, it may be necessary to obtain a city license also.
Business Tax Receipt fees vary depending on the nature of the business. The number of employees, equipment and seating capacity are a few variables considered in the cost factor.
Business Tax Receipts are renewed annually in August and September. MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express payments are now being accepted online for all renewals. If you have ANY changes to be made to your existing Business Tax Receipt you must contact any of our offices or come into any office to make the needed change(s). The permit is valid through September 30th of the following year. New Business Tax Receipts are issued any time during the year and are prorated April 1st, at which time half-year fees apply. Failure to renew an Business Tax Receipt subjects the owner to delinquent fees. All businesses must maintain a current Business Tax Receipt or the Tax Collector has the authority to close the business until the requirement is met. New businesses may download a Business Tax Receipt Application online. You may come in and complete the Business Tax Receipt process at anytime during our regular office hours.
It is the responsibility of the business owner to report to the Tax Collector's Office a change of address, name change or ownership transfer or any change affecting the price of the Business Tax Receipt, i.e. number of employees, seating capacity for restaurants, number of rooms for hotels, apartments, etc.