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Business Tax Receipts

 Per City of Cape Coral City Code, Chapter 11:  A local business tax shall be collected from every person exercising the privilege of, or carrying on, or engaging in, or managing any business, profession or occupation, and pay the appropriate business tax before the commencement of any business.  The business tax must be paid annually.

Renewing a Business Tax Receipt – City Clerk's Department

Do not apply for a new BTR if you already have one.

City Hall - City Clerk's Department
1015 Cultural Park Boulevard
Cape Coral, FL  33990

Hours of Operation:  
Monday through Friday (except on National Holidays)
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Questions?  Email the Business Tax Receipts Division at businesstaxreceipts@capecoral.gov

If you are having difficulties with logging in for the renewal, contact the BTR division via email and request an invoice to pay for your BTR.  businesstaxreceipts@capecoral.gov.  Within 48 hours of payment, your BTR document will be automatically sent to the email on file.

So, how do I get a new City Business Tax receipt?

Contact the City Zoning office at zoning@capecoral.gov   

Forms  

For more information and if you are having trouble accessing the applications and forms, contact us at businesstaxreceipts@capecoral.gov.

Additional Requirement:  Businesses operating in the City of Cape Coral  MUST ALSO OBTAIN a Lee County Business Tax Receipt:
https://leetc.com/businesses/business-tax-guide-and-applications/

How do I get a City Business Tax Receipt?  

There are five BTR categories.  Here are the instructions for the first three types.

  1. Commercial
  2. Home-Based
  3. Individual

 Commercial Applicants:

I want to open a business that is a brick and mortar building space and located within the City limits on Commercial property.  What do I need to do?

First, obtain necessary licenses before finalizing your submission.  One or more of the following may apply.

  1. If you are a professional or in a business that requires a license from any division of the State, you must first obtain your State license before applying for your City of Cape Coral Business Tax Receipt. To determine the appropriate licensing department for your business, contact the Department of Business and Professional Regulation at (850) 487-2252 or through their web site.

  2. If a business uses any name other than the full legal name of the owner, or if a corporation uses a name other than its legal corporate name, a fictitious name (also referred to as a D/B/A) must be registered with the State. Forms and additional information are available from the Florida Department of State, Fictitious Name Registration, at (850) 245-6058.

  3. Any entity that transacts business as a corporation is required to file documents of incorporation or authorization with the State Division of Corporations. Proof of active status must be submitted with your application for a City of Cape Coral Business Tax Receipt. Contact the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, at (850) 488-9000.

Next: 

Complete the Zoning Compliance Certificate/Business Tax Receipt by selecting the appropriate commercial form above or applying online through the CSS portal:  Citizen Self-Service Portal, and select Commercial/Zoning Compliance Certificate (BTR) and upload necessary licenses, available in the downloads section below,  

Contact the BTR division via email and request an invoice to pay for your BTR at  businesstaxreceipts@capecoral.gov.  Within 48 hours of payment, your BTR document will be automatically sent to the email on file.


 Home-Based Applicants:

I work out of my home.  Do I need a Business Tax Receipt?

YES

Home occupations require a Local Business tax receipt after obtaining a zoning compliance certificate.   Here is the link to the require application:   Home-Based Business Zoning Compliance Application 

Video Tutorial: How to apply for a Zoning Compliance Certificate Home-Based Local Business Tax Receipt

Obtain necessary licenses before finalizing your submission.  One or more of the following may apply.

  1. If you are a professional or in a business that requires a license from any division of the State, you must first obtain your State license before applying for your City of Cape Coral Business Tax Receipt. To determine the appropriate licensing department for your business, contact the Department of Business and Professional Regulation at (850) 487-2252 or through their web site.

  2. If a business uses any name other than the full legal name of the owner, or if a corporation uses a name other than its legal corporate name, a fictitious name (also referred to as a D/B/A) must be registered with the State. Forms and additional information are available from the Florida Department of State, Fictitious Name Registration, at (850) 245-6058.

  3. Any entity that transacts business as a corporation is required to file documents of incorporation or authorization with the State Division of Corporations. Proof of active status must be submitted with your application for a City of Cape Coral Business Tax Receipt. Contact the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, at (850) 488-9000.

Next:

Complete the Home-Based Business Tax (BTR) on the Application, see above for the appropriate form or by applying online through the CSS portal:  Citizen Self-Service Portal,  for a Home-Based Business Tax (BTR).   


 Individual Applicants:

I conduct business in Cape Coral as an individual.  Do I need a Business Tax Receipt?

YES

Individual BTR’s are for those providing individual services that are not employees of the firm/practice/clinic/firm. (Doctors, Nurses, Massage Therapist, Hair Specialist, Nail Technician, etc).

Obtain necessary licenses before finalizing your submission.  One or more of the following may apply.

  1. If you are a professional or in a business that requires a license from any division of the State, you must first obtain your State license before applying for your City of Cape Coral Business Tax Receipt. To determine the appropriate licensing department for your business, contact the Department of Business and Professional Regulation at (850) 487-2252 or through their web site.

  2. If a business uses any name other than the full legal name of the owner, or if a corporation uses a name other than its legal corporate name, a fictitious name (also referred to as a D/B/A) must be registered with the State. Forms and additional information are available from the Florida Department of State, Fictitious Name Registration, at (850) 245-6058.


Next:

Individual businesses require a Business tax receipt. Here is the link to the required application:  Individual BTR Application 



 Out of City Applicants:

I conduct business in Cape Coral, and My Permanent or Identifiable Business Location is outside of the City limits.  Do I need a Business Tax Receipt?

NO

  • You should have or contact the city or county where your permanent or identifiable business location is located and obtain the local business tax receipt from that jurisdiction.
  • Out of City businesses are for Insurance Companies selling insurance policies within City Limits.
  • Email businesstaxreceipts@capecoral.gov to review requirements with a specialist before an account can be created.

  • Out of City BTR Applications for Insurance Companies



 Vacation Rental Applicants:

I have a vacation rental in Cape Coral.  Do I need a Business Tax Receipt?

YES

Vacation rentals (short term) must have a Local Business Tax Receipt and a Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). You must have the DBPR License before submitting your application.

To apply, email your completed application to businesstaxreceipts@capecoral.gov. You can find the required form here: Vacation Rentals Application or you can apply online via the EnerGov Customer Self-Service (CSS) portal. Please make sure to select Vacation Rental Business Tax Receipt (BTR) and follow the application messaging to ensure that you complete it correctly and avoid any delays.



Additional FAQs:

My office will be located within City of Cape Coral’s city limits, but my customers are in the County.  Do I still need a City of Cape Coral Business Tax Receipt?

  • Yes.  In fact, you'll need two business tax receipts, one from the County and one from the City.

Do I need a City Business Tax Receipt if I have one from Lee County?

  • Yes, for businesses located both inside and outside of the city limits, a BTR is required if you are conducting business in the City of Cape Coral. 

Which Business Tax Receipt do I get first, the City or the County?

How long will it take me to get my Business Tax Receipt?

  • Once we receive a complete application and all required documentation, you should get your receipt via email within 48 hours after payment has been processed or in about a week.
  • Be sure to provide all documentation, including but not limited to:
    • Business Sunbiz printout showing active status
    • EIN or Tax ID number
    • If your profession or business is regulated by a State agency, provide a copy of the license
    • If you are using a Fictitious name or Doing Business As (DBA), you need to decide if this needs to be registered with the Division of Corporations.
    • You may need to consult with a business consultant, business attorney, or tax accountant to help you with your business structure.

I have three office locations in the City for my business.  How many receipts do I need?

  • You'll need three.  Each Business Tax Receipt is issued for one location, place of business or branch office.  A receipt is required for each place of business and for each separate business if more than one business occupies the same location.

I advertise, but I have no customers, so do I really need a Business Tax Receipt? 

  • Absolutely.  Our law is clear that as long as you are making yourself out to be in business, via print advertising, signs, phone book, or even classified ads, you're in business and need a Business Tax Receipt.  Don't delay, because if you operate a business before obtaining the Business Tax Receipt, you are subject to a penalty as provided by City Code. 

How Often Do I Pay?

  • ANNUALLY
    All Business Tax Receipts expire on September 30 of each year regardless of when purchased.   Login to your Citizen Self-Service Portal and follow the renewal steps.

Where do I get information about Lee County Business Tax Receipt?

 What is the City's timeline for the Business Tax Receipt Process?

  • July 1 - System opens for prepayment for next fiscal year (Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 yearly)
  • July 1, August 1, and September - Renewal reminder emails are sent for business tax receipt
  • September 30 - Expiration date for current year tax receipt
  • Late fees begin October 1st - 10 percent penalty charge
  • Late fee continues and is at 15 percent penalty starting November 1
  • Late fee continues and is at 20 percent penalty starting December 1
  • Late fee continues and is at 25 percent penalty starting January 1
  • February 15 - Forward unpaid accounts to code enforcement

How much does a Business Tax Receipt cost?

Is your permanent or identifiable business location outside the City of Cape Coral city limits?

  • If so, you are no longer required to obtain a Cape Coral Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR).
  • To register as a contractor with the City of Cape Coral, you can reach out to Contractor Registration at ContractorRegistration@capecoral.gov.
  • Be prepared to present the permanent or identifiable business location (home-jurisdiction) local business tax receipt and any other state license requirements based on your profession or business.

Are you regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and have a paid Business Tax from the current year to the county or municipality in the state where the permanent location or branch office of the business is located?

  • Pursuant to Section 205.065, Florida Statutes, a City of Cape Coral Local Business Tax Receipt is not required for any person regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation that has paid a business tax for the current year to the county or municipality in the state where such person’s permanent business location or branch office is located, and the person is performing work on a temporary or transitory basis in the City. 
  • To register as a contractor with the City of Cape Coral, you can reach out to Contractor Registration at ContractorRegistration@capecoral.gov.

What is the Fictitious Name or Doing Business As (DBA) registration requirement?

The Fictitious Name Act (s.865.09, F.S.) requires any person (which, by definition, includes an individual, as well as a business entity) to register their “fictitious name” or “dba” name with the Florida Department of State prior to conducting business in Florida.

Registration of a fictitious name under the Fictitious Name Act allows:

  • An individual or business to operate under a name other than their legal name.
  • The public to search Sunbiz to determine what individual or business is operating under the fictitious name.

 

If you need additional information, please feel free to reach out to us .

Hours of Operation:  
Monday through Friday (except on National Holidays)
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In Person
City Hall - City Clerk's Department
1015 Cultural Park Boulevard
Cape Coral, FL  33990

Questions?  Email the Business Tax Receipts Division at businesstaxreceipts@capecoral.gov

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