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| The business tax grants the privilege of engaging in
or managing a business, profession or occupation. It is in addition to any
other fees paid to operate a business. Sarasota County has had the business tax since 1992. |
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New Procedures in 2009-10 |
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| In an effort to increase efficiency and save
costs, we are implementing two new procedures. |
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 | Business Tax Receipts - You will no longer receive your
local business tax receipt by mail. If you pay your tax online you
will be able to print your receipt immediately. If you pay by any
other method and you would like a receipt, it will be available from our
website 2 business days after we have received the payment. |
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| Email Addresses - Future renewal notices will be sent
electronically to your email address. If you are paying online, the
email address you provide during your payment process will be used.
If you are paying by mail, write your email address in the space provided
on the renewal form. If you are not paying online and would like to
provide your email address now, click here. |
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How do I renew? |
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| On or about July 1st, renewal notices will be mailed for all known
existing businesses. The renewal period is July 1 - September 30.
Beginning July 1st there will be many convenient ways to renew: |
EASIEST &
QUICKEST WAY TO PAY - No password, no
registration
Internet – Electronic Check or
Credit Cards accepted. Note: For credit card payments there is
an additional $1.50 convenience fee. We accept Visa, MasterCard,
American Express and Discover. There is no convenience fee for payment
by electronic check. Click
Pay Business Tax to proceed to online renewal.
Electronic Banking/Bill Pay
- If you use an online banking system, you can pay your business
tax the same way
you pay other bills. Please include your account #.
If you have multiple notices, complete a separate payment for each account #
identifying the account you are renewing. The name should appear on your
bank’s payee listing as “Sarasota Tax Collect Ford-Coates”.
By
Mail - Please return the notice in the self-addressed
envelope you received by mail. Include your check, in U.S. Funds only, made payable to Tax
Collector Barbara Ford-Coates for the amount due. You may send one check
for multiple licenses.
In
Person - You can pay at any of
three office locations.
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| How are
the funds used? |
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Funds that Sarasota County Government receives from the business taxes are
used for economic development. The county's economic development
strategy is coordinated by the Economic Development Corporation of
Sarasota County (EDC), a non-profit, private-public partnership.
The cities within the county also receive a small portion of the
municipal proceeds, based upon population. For more information
contact the EDC at (941) 309-1200 or visit
www.edcsarasotacounty.com. |
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| Who must
pay the tax? |
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| Most businesses and
professions operating in Sarasota County must pay the tax. The business
tax does not regulate the business and it
does not guarantee the quality of the work of the business. |
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| When is the
business tax required? |
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| A business tax receipt is required
before a business begins operation. The
business tax period is from October through September. Applications are
available in any of the offices of the Tax Collector. |
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| Can
I open a business anywhere? |
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| Prior
to paying the business tax, contact the zoning department in either the
city or county where your business is located to ensure the business is
allowed in that location. |
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| Who
is exempt? |
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| Charitable,
educational and religious institutions, individual persons selling
self-grown farm products, certain disabled honorably discharged veterans
and their unremarried widow(er)s are exempt from paying a fee, but are
still required to obtain a business tax receipt. |
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| If the owner’s capital investment does
not exceed $1,000, if there is no other source of income, AND there is
only one employee, these other exemptions may apply: |
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| Individuals 65 or older |
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| Widow(er)s with dependent children |
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| Physically disabled persons incapable of
manual labor |
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| If
you think you qualify for an exemption, please call the Tax Collector's
office to discuss the specific requirements and the amount of the
exemption. A business tax receipt is still required to conduct business and will be
issued free or at a reduced fee. |
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| If I am
presently licensed in the city, do I still have to pay a county business tax? |
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| Yes. The
county business tax is in addition to any city business tax. |
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| If I am
required to have a state license, do I need to do anything special? |
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| Yes. You
must include a copy of your current state license with your application. |
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| I
have multiple locations in Sarasota County. Do I need to pay more
than one business tax? |
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| Yes.
Businesses with multiple locations in Sarasota County need to have a
business tax receipt for each location. |
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| What
happens if I do not pay the business tax by October 1st? |
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| The law
provides that late payment must include a delinquency penalty
of 10% for the month of October, plus an additional 5% penalty for each
month of delinquency thereafter until paid, not to exceed 25% of the business tax. If you are doing business without a business tax
receipt, you
are subject to a penalty of 25% of the tax determined to be due plus
other penalties. Also, operating without having paid the business tax is a misdemeanor
punishable by a $100 minimum fine plus a daily fine of 25% of the total
annual tax due. The total fine may not exceed five times the value
of the tax or $500, whichever is greater. |
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| Do I just pay
one fee for a business? |
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| Businesses
need just one business tax receipt per location for their primary business
activity. If you have any questions about which categories apply to your
business, please contact the Tax Collector's office. |
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| What
do I need to do if I change my location or purchase an existing business? |
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| If you
change locations, please
click here to download the
transfer form. Instructions for completion are on the form. If you purchase an
existing business, you will need to turn in the current business tax
receipt, pay a
nominal fee and a corrected receipt will be issued. |
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| Am I
required to register a fictitious name? |
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| If I have a
rental property do I need to pay the business tax? |
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| If your rental property is available to rent for periods of less than
one month, you are required to pay the business tax. |
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| Do I need to notify any other
government office? |
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| If you own rental
property or operate a business, you may be required to pay a Tangible
Personal Property Tax. Please contact the Property Appraiser at (941)
861-8200 for more information. |
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| If your business is in a
non-residential building, you may be required to get a certificate of
occupancy. In addition, make sure your business is in compliance
with zoning regulations and, if located in the unincorporated county, you
will also need to comply with recycling regulations. |
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| .This list is only the most
commonly contacted government offices relating to business taxes;
it is not inclusive of all agencies which affect a business: |
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