Charlotte-Mecklenburg Business License Renewals Due by July 1

If you operate a business in Charlotte or Mecklenburg County, you are required to obtain a license and renew it every year unless the business is specifically exempted by law.

Business licenses are authorized by the State of North Carolina and are considered a license for the privilege to do business within a local tax jurisdiction. Businesses are required to renew their business license on or before July 1st of each year (with the exception of taxi cab drivers and beer/wine licenses). Renewal forms were mailed last week. Payments received or postmarked by the United States Postal Service after July 1will incur late charges.

All businesses, trades, and professions conducting a trade, occupation, performing a service, or selling goods or services within the City are required to purchase a Privilege/Business License prior to beginning operations.

This requirement applies to all businesses, whether operated for profit, non-profit, or home based.

Privilege/Business license tax rates are based on estimated revenue for new businesses, or annual gross receipts for businesses with one or more years in business, at a rate of $0.60 per $1,000 (minimum tax $50; maximum $10,000). Businesses subject to the gross receipts tax may also be taxed at a flat rate while some businesses are only subject to a flat tax rate. Certain types of businesses must pay both the City and County license tax while others pay City tax alone.

A City license may be required in addition to any County or State licenses already held. A business owner, partner, corporate officer or any other designated assignee may apply for a license in person at 700 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. during June, Monday through Friday. In other months, applications are accepted at the office between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. An application may be requested at the Business Tax Collections Office, by telephone by dialing 311, online at http://tax.charmeck.org, or by mail at:

Business Tax Collections
P.O. Box 32728
Charlotte, NC 28232-2728

Questions? Business owners can contact us by dialing 311 (704-336-4600 if outside of Mecklenburg County) or via e-mail at taxbusiness@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov More information is also available at http://tax.charmeck.org.

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