Form Gt-800029 - Consideringbusiness Opportunities In Florida printable pdf download

GT-800029

Considering Business Opportunities

R. 12/17

in Florida?

Tax information you may need for a successful start.

The Florida Department of Revenue administers over 30 taxes and fees, including sales and use

tax, discretionary sales surtax, reemployment tax (formerly unemployment tax), communications

services tax, and corporate income tax. These five taxes are briefly outlined here because many

businesses are subject to them. For more information about taxes and fees administered by the

Department, visit the Department’s website at .

Sales and Use Tax

Chapter 212, Florida Statutes (F.S.)

Sales tax applies to the sale, rental, lease, or license to use goods, certain services, and

commercial property in Florida, unless the transaction is exempt.

If your business will have taxable transactions, you must register as a sales and use tax

dealer before you begin conducting business in Florida. See “How to Register” for

details. Most local governments also have registration or licensing requirements; contact

them before starting business.

After we approve your registration application, you will receive a Certificate of Registration

(Form DR-11), a Florida Annual Resale Certificate for Sales Tax (Form DR-13), and

information you need to file and pay your taxes.

Dealers must collect sales tax at the time of each sale and pay the tax for each reporting period

to the Department. Dealers may file and pay electronically or with paper Sales and Use Tax

Returns (Form DR-15). Any use tax due must be paid with your tax return. You must file a

return even if no tax is due. If the opening date of your business changes, notify the

Department to avoid a Notice of Delinquency and a late-filing penalty.

Discretionary Sales Surtax

Rule 12A-15.002, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)

Most Florida counties impose a discretionary sales surtax that generally applies to transactions

that are subject to sales and use tax.

A dealer who sells or delivers taxable goods or taxable services into a county with a discretionary

sales surtax must collect the surtax at the rate imposed in the county where the goods or services

are delivered. The surtax is on the first $5,000 of any item of tangible personal property. The

$5,000 limit does not apply to commercial rentals, transient rentals, or services.

Dealers must pay discretionary sales surtax to the Department with sales and use tax, on the

Sales and Use Tax Return (Form DR-15).

Reemployment Tax

Chapter 443, F.S.

Reemployment assistance benefits provide partial, temporary income to workers who lose their

jobs through no fault of their own, and are able and available to work. The employer pays for

reemployment assistance benefits through a tax administered by the Department of Revenue.

Workers do not pay any part of the reemployment tax and employers must not make payroll

deductions for this purpose. The employer’s payments go into a reserve fund from which benefits

Florida Department of Revenue, Considering Business Opportunities in Florida? Page 1

Form Gt-800029 - Consideringbusiness Opportunities In Florida