All companies doing business within the City of Los Angeles need to obtain a Business Tax Registration Certificate from the city. It's easy to do online, or you may visit the Office of Finance to complete your application in person.
Before registering with the city, make sure you address the following items:
How to register
You may register your business online or in person at one of the Office of Finance locations. To register, you will need to provide:
Depending on your business, you may also need to register for Police, Fire and/or Tobacco permits. The Office of Finance application will help you identify whether these are necessary.
Once you've completed your application, you will be able to obtain your Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC). If you completed your application online, you will be issued a temporary BTRC that you may print and display at your business. Your permanent Certificate should arrive in the mail within four weeks.
You will need to use your BTRC number to pay your business taxes with the City of Los Angeles each year. You should receive a notice in December of each year with instructions on how to calculate and pay your taxes.
Business Tax Exemptions
Due to a special business tax exemption, most new businesses do not need to pay business taxes for their first two years of operation. In addition, small businesses with fewer than $100,000 in receipts per year, as well as creative artists and non-profit/charitable organizations, may not need to pay business taxes. It is essential to complete your annual tax renewals on time each year in order to qualify for business tax exemptions. Visit the Office of Finance website for more information about available exemptions.