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How Do I Get a Business Tax Receipt in Florida?

Use the free tool — Local Permit Finder

What Is a Business Tax Receipt?

A business tax receipt is a local license that lets you operate in a county or city. Florida law calls it a local business tax receipt, and most counties and cities require one before you open, under Fla. Stat. ch. 205. It is not a state license — it is separate from any professional license you may also need.

Who Issues It

You usually need two: one from your county tax collector, and a separate one from the city if your business sits inside city limits. Both are required in most places under Fla. Stat. ch. 205. Confirm with your specific county and city — rules, and whether both apply, differ by location.

Before You Apply: Register Your Business

Most tax collectors ask for proof of your legal business name before they issue a receipt. Register your LLC, corporation, or fictitious name (DBA) with Sunbiz, Florida's Division of Corporations, first.

• Entity or DBA registration — Sunbiz
• EIN from the IRS, if you have employees or formed an LLC/corporation
• Any state professional license your business type needs
• Zoning or home occupation approval
• County business tax receipt
• City business tax receipt

Doing these roughly in this order can save you a second trip, since each office may ask for proof of the step before it.

If You Work From Home

Fla. Stat. 559.955 limits what a county or city can require of a home-based business. Even so, a home occupation permit and your HOA's rules may still apply. Confirm with your local zoning office before you open.

How Much Does It Cost?

The fee is set by each county and city — it is not fixed by state law. Check the fee on your county tax collector's site and your city's site directly; this guide does not have a statewide number to give you.

What to Do Next

This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules differ by county and city, and Local Permit Finder can be wrong. Confirm every step with your county tax collector, your city, or the free Florida SBDC before you spend money or sign a lease.

The free tool reads what you type about your own business — what it is, where it is, and whether it's a storefront, a truck, or home-based — and gives you the likely permits, who issues each one, and the order to do them in, in English or Spanish.

Local Permit Finder gives general guidance about Florida business licensing in plain language; it can be wrong, and it is not legal, tax or financial advice. Requirements differ by county and city — confirm with the issuing office, the Florida SBDC, or a Florida business attorney. Nothing you paste is stored.