Business Tax Receipts

Business Tax Receipts become eligible for renewal each July and are due by September 30th.

New Business Tax Receipts are issued any time during the year for $35 and expire on September 30th. Failure to renew a 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 must apply for Business Tax Receipts online through our Business Tax Receipt Application.

Changes to existing Business Tax Receipt accounts must be submitted online. To submit a change you'll need to search for your account here and then select the Request a change to your Business Tax Account link.

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 other change affecting the Business Tax Receipt.

Before an Okaloosa County Business Tax Receipt can be obtained, a business must meet all conditions required by the 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 license 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.

The following checklist provides basic information on requirements that may be needed to start a business in Okaloosa County and should not be considered a complete list of regulatory requirements.

Florida Department of Transportation: A permit may be required when there is a significant change in property use.

• Phone: 850-415-9208

City License: If you are anticipating doing business within the city limits of Crestview, Mary Esther, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville, or Valparaiso check with each City Hall to see if they may require you to have a city license in addition to an Okaloosa County Business Tax Receipt.

Department of Revenue: If your business involves selling anything, you may be required to collect sales tax.

• Address: 3670 North "L" Street, Building C, Pensacola, FL 32505
• Phone: 850-595-5170

Internal Revenue Service: You may be required to obtain a Federal ID number.

• Address: 7180 9th Ave. Worth, Pensacola, FL 32504
• Phone: 850-435-8648

Property Appraiser: A personal property tax return may be required to be filed for your business.

• Address (South Office) 1250 Eglin Parkway N, Suite 201, Shalimar, FL 32579
• Phone: 850-651-7240
• Address (North Office) 302 Wilson St, Suite 201, Crestview, FL 32536
• Phone: 850-689-5900

Okaloosa County Growth Management: If you have a home business located in an unincorporated area (outside city limits), you must be aware of and agree to abide by the requirements before a business tax receipt can be issued. Failure to abide by such requirements may result in revocation of the business tax receipt/home occupation license.

• Address (South Office): 1250 Eglin Pkwy N, Suite 301, Shalimar, FL 32579
• Address (North Office): 812 E James Lee Blvd, Crestview, FL  32539
• Phone: 850-651-7180
• Fax: 850-651-7058
• HOURS:  Monday - Thursday 8 am to 4 pm; Friday 8 am to 12 pm ONLY

Department of State (Fictitious Name): If you are using any name for your business other than your legal name, you are required to file a fictitious name with the state. The application and the renewal forms are available on the left-hand side under the Downloadable Forms header.

• Address: PO Box 1300, Tallahassee, FL 32302-1300
• Phone: 850-245-6058

Information on how to establish an LLC or INC is available from the Secretary of State Corporation Division (Start a Business)

• Address: Capitol Building, Tallahassee, FL 32304
• Phone: 850-488-9000

Certain businesses require an inspection or a state license before a business tax receipt can be issued in Okaloosa County. A few of the businesses that are inspected by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Division of Hotels and Restaurants include:

• Restaurants
• Food Concessions
• Mobile Food Units
• Take-Out
• Catering

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) inspects the following:

• Grocery Stores
• Bakeries
• Food Processing Plants
• Bottling Plants
• Ice Plants
• Seafood Vendors
• Juice/Sno-Cone Concessions

DACS Contact Information:

• Phone: 800-488-0800
• Panama City Beach District #6 Phone: 850-487-1395)

 

Other Local and State Departments Include:

• Department of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Firearms:
  • Phone:850-494-5970
• Construction Industry Licensing Board:
  • Phone: 850-487-1395
• Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS):
  • Phone: 850-488-6811
• Okaloosa County Environmental Health Unit:
  • Phone: 850-833-9240
• Better Business Bureau (Pensacola):
  • Phone:850-429-0002

 

The Business Tax Receipt fee is $35 per location, regardless of the nature of the business.

Business tax receipts can be renewed quickly and securely on our website at the link provided below. Payments made online using your Bank Account (e-check) are free. In addition to the convenient online renewal option, businesses may also renew by one of the following methods: calling #TAX (#829) from their mobile device, by mail, or by our drop boxes located outside of each office. In-office renewals are not being offered as an option.  A bank card user fee will be added if paying by Credit/Debit card.

Click here to pay your Business Tax Receipt online

To Anonymously report Business Tax Fraud please contact us in one of the following ways:

• Call: 855-489-8477 (4TX-TIPS)
• Email: TaxTips@OkaloosaTax.com
• Complete Online Form: BTR Complaint Form