How to Get a Commercial License for Your Small Business in Miami-Dade County Florida

When you start a small business in Miami-Dade County, Florida, you may need different types of licenses depending on your type of business. One of the basic licenses that all businesses need is a Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt. You also need a city Business Tax Receipt from the municipality where you business is located. This applies even if your business is a one-person company or when you operate the business from your home.

To obtain a Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt you need to file an application. You can present the application in person or mail it, as indicated on the form. As indicated by Miami-Dade County, the amount of the business taxes you have to pay depend on the type of business you operate. Local business tax receipts are issued for one year, from October 1 through September 30, and have to be renewed each year. You can renew by paying in person, by mail, or online.

If you set up your small business in the City of Miami, you need a Certificate of Use and a Business Tax Receipt. The Certificate of Use is a permit from the Department of Planning and Zoning to ensure that your business location is zoned for the type of business you plan to operate. You need this certificate before you apply for a Business Tax Receipt. If you are operating the business from your home, you need an Accessory Use Certificate from the Department of Planning and Zoning, also before you apply for a Business Tax Receipt.

Once you have your Certificate of Use or Accessory Use Certificate, you can apply for a Business Tax Receipt. Certain types of business activities require you to have State of Florida documentation. These include professionals and businesses regulated by state law. You can find information on these state registration requirements on the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation website.

If your business operates under a fictitious name, it must be registered with the State of Florida. You can do this using the Online Fictitious Name Registration on the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations website. You will need to present your fictitious name registration when you apply for a city business tax receipt.

The city business tax receipt, like the county business tax receipt, is valid for one year and must be renewed and paid annually.

If you set up your business in other cities within Miami-Dade County, you need to apply for a certificate of use and business tax receipt with the municipality. You can find links to each city's website on the Miami-Dade League of Cities website. In the business section of each city's website you can find the procedures and requirements for applying.

Sources:
City of Miami Business Tax Receipt '" City of Miami Finance Department
Licenses and permits '" myownbusiness.org
Local Business Tax '" Miami-Dade County Tax Collector
Member Cities '" Miami-Dade County League of Cities
Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt Application Form '" Miami-Dade County
Online Fictitious Name Registration - Florida Department of State Division of Corporations
Pay Local Business Tax '" Miami-Dade County