Apply for a New Business Tax Certificate

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Anyone conducting business in the City of West Hollywood must have a business tax certificate.  Initial business tax applications should be filed within 30 days of the start of business operations.

If your business operates within the City of West Hollywood but does not have a physical location within the City limits, you are still required to apply for a tax certificate. Examples of such businesses include Contractors or Consultants working on projects within the City.

A business owner will need to fill out a Business Tax Certificate Application. 

 

Step 1: Confirm that your work/business is located in the City of West Hollywood

Click here to view a list of addresses [PDF].

If your business is not located in the City of West Hollywood, you should contact the West Branch of the City of Los Angeles License Approval Office located at 1828 Sawtelle Blvd, Suite 102.  Phone: 310-575-8888.

 

Step 2:Identify the Business Category (Group) for your business

Click here to view West Hollywood's business tax categories [PDF].

 

Step 3:Complete Application

Online Submittal:   Apply for Business Tax Certificate

Paper Submittal:  Business Tax Certificate Application Form [PDF]

 

Step 4: Submit application with payment to Revenue Management Division

Online Submittal:  Pay online with Visa, Mastercard or American Express

Paper Submittal:  

  • Mail your completed application along with a check for $29 ($25 City Fee and $4 State fee) to the address shown below
  • Bring your completed application to the Cashier's window at City Hall during business hours (see below) and pay with cash, personal check, money order, cashier's check as well as Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit cards 

New Business Credit

The City of West Hollywood provides reduced tax rates for businesses within their first two years of operations in the City. 

  • After payment of the initial fee of $29, the first 12 months of business operations are exempted from Business Tax, with the exception of the minimum tax $24-72 per year depending on the business category plus the SB 1186 $4 fee.
  • The second 12 months of operations are taxed at one-half (50%) of the normal rate, as long as the tax due is not less than the minimum.

Your new business tax credit  will automatically be applied when you renew your business tax certificate and pay for the calendar year. 

Refund Policy

The $29 application fee for a new Business Tax Certificate is non-refundable. 

 

Notes

  •  A street address of the business is necessary; a post office alone cannot be used.
  • If your business is being conducted out your home, an  Exemption Form [PDF] is also required.
  • Depending on your business activity, you may be required to pay for and obtain a Regulatory Business License. For a complete list of business types that require regulatory business licenses, please click here.   

 Line 11: SB1186 State Mandated Fee

On September 19,2012, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill (SB) 1186, which implemented a $1 State mandated fee from all local businesses effective January 1, 2013.  Senate Bill (SB) 1379 increased the State Disability fee to $4, effective January 1, 2018.  The primary intent of SB 1186, as amended by SB 1379, is to  increase disability access and compliance with construction-related accessibility requirements and to develop educational resources for businesses in order to facilitate compliance with federal and state disability laws.  This fee is applicable to all local businesses, including rental properties, home-based businesses, contractors, exempt businesses and non-profits. 

 Questions

Should you have any questions, please contact the Revenue Management Division at FinanceRevenue@weho.org or call (323) 848-6319.


Revenue Division Hours of Operation:

 Monday through Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m

Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

HoursOperation

Mailing Address:

City of West Hollywood
Attn: Cashier
8300 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069-6216

mailing address envelope

Acceptable Methods of Payment:

Cash, personal checks, money orders,
cashier’s check, Visa, MasterCard and 
 American Express credit cards accepted

 

 

 

PaymentOptions-cash-check-visa

 

 

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