Starting a Business in the City
Business Startup - City Process
Startup is an exciting phase in the life of a business, but it can also bring much frustration and hardship without considerable planning, research, and attention to detail. The City of New Port Richey supports and facilitates the creation and expansion of all business—large and small. To better assist you in acquiring your Business Tax Receipt (BTR), please review the New Business Welcome Letter(PDF, 136KB) for information on the required documentation and process.
- The completed Zoning Clearance Application(PDF, 197KB) must be submitted to the Development Department for review prior to applying for the BTR. When the application has been approved.
- Building Inspection to be completed - Contact Ms. Melanie Tyler, Tuesday through Thursday, to schedule a building safety inspection. This inspection is performed by the city Building Official and must be approved prior to submitting your BTR application.
- Complete and submit the BTR application(PDF, 160KB) and all required documents to the Development Department in person or through the USPS. Applications with missing documents will not be accepted. Please use the list below as a guide to assist you with your submittal.
All businesses must submit:
- Photocopy of Driver's License
- Pasco County BTR (License)
- Sunbiz – Division of Corporations
- Fictitious Trade Name
- Department of Treasury (IRS) - EIN Number Assignment, or Social Security Number
If your business or profession requires, you must also submit:
- Department of Revenue Sales and Use Tax Certificate
- State License ~ Examples:
- Department of Business and Professional regulations
- Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Department of Health
- Department of Financial Services
- The Florida Bar
- Board of Pharmacy
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- Nonprofit Exemption – e.g. 501(c)(3)
- Etc.
- Salons/Barbershops need a BTR, as does each cosmetologist/technician. It is the responsibility of the salon owner to ensure that all licensed cosmetologists/technicians working in the salon, which do not receive a w-2, receive a BTR. If the Salon Owner also works as a cosmetologist/technician, then he/she would need one as well.
- Professional Offices - A BTR must be obtained for the office as well as all licensed professionals unless the licensed professional is working solely as an employee and receives a W-2. It is the responsibility of the business owner to ensure all licensed professionals (such as doctor, CPA, attorney, etc.) have filed for their own BTR.
- Organizations that are exempt - A BTR application is to be submitted (documentation included). However, the tax is waived.
4. To finalize your Business Tax Receipt and prior to opening your business, the premises must pass a Building and Fire Safety Inspection. To help ensure compliance with city ordinances and NFPA standards, please use this list as a guide for requirements:
- Fire Extinguishers: Every business shall have a minimum of at least one portable fire extinguisher. Depending on the type or occupancy of your business, you may be required to have more than one. (Minimum size permitted is 5lb., ABC type rated (2-A 10BC) which must be certified annually.)
- Exit Signs: Must be illuminated with battery backup. Where exits are not readily visible, directional exit signs must be installed.
- Emergency Lighting: Emergency lighting must be in operating condition and provide one (1) hour of battery power.
- Extension Cords/Multi-Tri Taps: Extension Cords are considered temporary use only and Multi-Tri Taps are prohibited.
Transfer & Name Changes
Transfer
A receipt holder may transfer a local business tax receipt to any qualified transferee, when there is a bona fide sale of the receipt holders' profession, business, or occupation. Further, a local business tax receipt may be transferred from one (1) location within the city to any other approved location within the city. For either type of transfer, the receipt holder must submit:
(a) A written application for transfer at least thirty (30) days prior to the desired date of transfer, which application shall contain the information required for new local business tax receipts;
(b) Any other information deemed necessary by the official;
(c) A fee to reinspect the business premises equal to the current application fee for a new local business tax receipt; and
(d) The original local business tax receipt;
A transfer fee equal to ten (10) percent of the applicable local business tax paid.
Name Change
Any change in the name of a business shall be treated as a transfer and shall require the receipt holder to register the new name with the city. The fee for changing the name of a business on the local business tax receipt shall be ten (10) percent of the applicable local business tax. A change in the name of a business shall not require that the business premises be reinspected, and the receipt holder shall not be charged a fee for this service.
Tax Exempt Corporations
Requirements
Tax exempt corporations must complete a Zoning Clearance Application, Business Tax Receipt Application and Fire Safety Inspection. The 501(c)(3) or other applicable waiver form must also be submitted.
Required Payments for Tax Exempt Businesses
The following are items that are not excluded from payment under tax exempt organizations:
- Application fees
- Any late fees or penalties for nonrenewal of business tax receipt
- Hazardous permits (required by the Fire Department for various reasons)
- Vending or coin operated machines
Home Business Tax Receipt Restrictions
Requirements
Home businesses also require a City Business Tax Receipt and must follow specific guidelines for home occupations. Home occupations are restricted to certain types of businesses that do not create any additional traffic to a residential area.
In order to apply for a home business, you will need to complete a Zoning Clearing Application(PDF, 197KB) and Business Tax Receipt Application(PDF, 160KB).
A building inspection nor a fire inspection are required for home occupations.
Once all forms have been completed, return them to our office:
Zoning Clearance Applications submitted to:
City of New Port Richey
Attn: City Planner
5919 Main Street
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Business Tax Receipt Applications submitted to:
City of New Port Richey
Attn: Business Tax
5919 Main Street
New Port Richey, FL 34652
The completed BTR Applications will need to be accompanied by copies of all documents which support your business, and the $50 application fee.
Please note that any missing information will result in the return of the submittal.
If the home occupation runs from a rented residential location, a notarized approval letter from the property owner must accompany the zoning clearance form.
Questions on the City Process for Starting a Business
For Questions on the city process for starting a business please email the appropriate contact below:
Get Your Business Started
Completing the steps below will help you to get your business started in the City of New Port Richey.
Step One: Legal Structure
Decide what legal structure you would like to have for your business: sole proprietor, partnership, corporation (C or S), or limited liability company (LLC). Lawyers and doctors may form a professional association (PA). All related forms can be found on-line on the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations website.
Step Two: Business Name
If you choose to use a name other than your own or that of a corporation (if you choose to create one), you will need to register a Fictitious Name Registration ("Doing Business As") with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations. You may also trade mark the business name in the State of Florida, nationally, and/or internationally.
Step Three: Employer Identification Number
All businesses except sole proprietorship with no employees must register for a federal identification number. To learn more, contact the Internal Revenue Service at (850) 942-8995 or toll free at (800) 829-4933.
Step Four: Zoning and Other City Regulations
Before leasing or buying property where the business will operate, business owners must make sure that the business type is allowed under the City's Zoning District Regulations. To learn more, contact the Development Department Planning and Zoning Division at (727) 853-1017. If you are locating your business into an existing building and are planning interior remodeling, be sure to check with the Building Division at (727) 853-1047 about building permit requirements.
Step Five: State Licensing and Certificates
From barbers to real estate agents, there are more than 50 regulated professions that the State of Florida requires to obtain special licenses or certificates. To learn more, contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at (850) 487-1395. Various businesses are licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, so also check with this agency if you are starting a business.
Step Six: Business Tax Receipts
Every business in the city needs to obtain a Business Tax Receipt(PDF, 160KB) regardless of how small and even if it is in your home. To learn more, contact the City of New Port Richey Business Tax Office at (727) 853-1039. Every business is also required to obtain a Pasco County Business Tax Receipt.
Other Information Important to Your Florida Business
Sales Tax Certificates
The State of Florida requires retail stores and some other businesses to collect sales tax. Businesses must apply for a sales tax certificate. To learn more, contact the Florida Department of Revenue at (800) 352-3671.
Corporate Income Tax
Corporations in Florida must pay the State corporate income tax. For more information, contact the Florida Department of Revenue at 1-800-352-3671.
Tangible Personal Property Tax
Pasco County taxes the personal property of businesses (e.g., business equipment). To learn more, contact all the Pasco County Tax Collector at (727) 847-8151.
Federal Income Tax Withholding and Social Security Tax
Employers must withhold from salaries of their employees for federal tax purposes. They also must pay Social Security taxes. To learn more, contact the Internal Revenue Service at (850) 942-8995 or toll free at (800) 829-4933.
Federal Unemployment Tax
Most businesses with one or more employees must contribute to a federal fund that pays unemployment insurance to workers that have been laid off. To learn more, contact the Internal Revenue Service at (850) 942-8995 or toll free at (800) 829-4933.
State Reemployment Tax
Businesses must pay into a state fund that pays unemployment compensation. To learn more, contact the Florida Department of Revenue at (800) 352-3671.
Workers' Compensation
Companies with four or more employees must pay into a state fund that compensates workers who are injured on the job. In construction businesses, the rules that apply are stricter. For more information, contact the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Workers' Compensation at (850) 413-1601.
New Employee Hire Reporting Requirements
Federal and State law requires employers to report all new/rehire employees who work in the State of Florida to whom the employer anticipates paying earnings. Employees should be reported even if they work only one day and are terminated. To learn more, visit the Florida New Hire Reporting Center or call the Florida Department of Revenue at (850) 656-3343.
City Applications