How to Renew Your Business License

Businesses located in or operating in Santa Monica are required to renew their business license annually. Business licenses are generally issued for the fiscal year which commences on July 1st and ends on June 30th of each year. Though renewals are due on July 1st of each year, the Municipal Code provides a 60-day grace period before penalties are assessed. The last day to renew without penalty is August 31st of each year. 

The following information has been published to assist with renewing your Santa Monica Business License:

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Be prepared to complete the online renewal in its entirety, as once you have begun the online renewal process, you cannot save and come back to it later. 

Payment Methods: All major credit cards or debit cards with the Visa or Mastercard logo or eChecks (bank name, routing number, bank account) are accepted.  All credit/debit card transactions will incur a convenience fee charged by the processor of 2.95%. E-checks remain a no-cost alternative.

  1. Gather the Necessary Information to Renew

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    • Your renewal email or renewal notice
    • Any supplemental forms
    • Your gross receipts information from the preceding calendar year (January 1 through December 31).  If this is your first time renewing, refer to the back of your renewal notice to determine your reporting period.

  2. Log Into the Online Renewal Portal

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    Once you are prepared to begin and complete your renewal, visit the online renewal portal, HERE.

    You will need your renewal email or renewal notice. Your business license number and PIN are located in the body of your renewal email and on the upper right of your renewal notice.

  3. Review Your Account Details

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    For this section you will need any supplemental form(s) included with your renewal email or renewal notice. 

  4. Review Your Account Contact Information

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    For this section you will need any updated information for your business. Verify that all of your contact information is current and correct.  If any information is incorrect, click on "edit" and update the information

  5. Gross Receipts and Employee Reporting

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    For this section, you will need your gross receipts information (line 2 on your renewal notice) and the number of employees working at this location (line 1a on your renewal notice).

  6. Business License Tax, Assessment and Fee Calculation

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    The system will calculate the business license tax, applicable assessments, and fees (and penalties, if any) and give you a total balance due.

  7. Make Your Payment

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    For this section, you will need your payment type and information. For eChecks*, be sure to enter the routing number and account number located on your check. The maximum eCheck amount is $1,000,000. 

    The maximum credit card amount is $500,000.

     *ECheck Payments - The Paymentus Originator ID is 1020401225. For transactions processing through Chase Paymentech, the Company ID is 00000000160.

This guide has been provided to assist you in completing your Santa Monica Business License Renewal. To complete your form, gather your renewal notice, any supplemental forms included with your renewal notice, and your gross receipts information from the preceding calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If this is your first time renewing, refer to the back of your renewal notice to determine your reporting period.

You may submit your renewal form by email using the steps below. Processing time will be 7-10 days and once complete an invoice will be emailed back with instructions on how to pay the ensuing balance due. 

If you did not receive your renewal notice by July 10, please contact the Business License Office.

  1. Gather Your Documents and Review

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    To complete your form, gather your renewal notice, any supplemental forms included with your renewal notice, and your gross receipts information from the preceding calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If this is your first time renewing, refer to the back of your renewal notice to determine your reporting period.

    • Your renewal email or renewal notice
    • Any supplemental forms
    • Your gross receipts information from the preceding calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If this is your first time renewing, refer to the back of your renewal notice to determine your reporting period

  2. Review Your Business Information at the Top of the Form

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    For this section you will need any supplemental form(s) included with your renewal email or renewal notice. 

  3. Enter Your Santa Monica Gross Receipts, Employee Information and Applicable Exemptions

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    • Employee Information - Enter the number of employees working in Santa Monica working more than 4 hours a week
    • Gross Receipts - If your business is still in operation after June 30th, enter your gross receipts information from the preceding calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If this is your time renewing, refer to the back of your renewal notice to determine your reporting period. If the box has an “N/A” skip this step.
    • Business License Tax Exemption - If your Business generates less than $100,000 worldwide, you may qualify for the tax exemption. For more information, review Business License and Regulatory Permits - FAQ Exemptions and Deductions

  4. Calculate the Business License Tax and Business Improvement District Assessment (if applicable) Calculations

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    • Business License Tax - The minimum business license tax in the amount of $75 is due the first $60,000 in gross receipts (excluding businesses that qualify for the Business License Tax Exemption or are tax-exempt - see the Deductions section of the FAQs for more information). Gross receipts in excess of $60,000 are taxed at the rate appropriate to your business.  Your businesses license tax rate is provided on your Business License Renewal form. If you need assistance with calculating your business license tax, you can use the Business License Tax Calculator (coming soon) or contact the Business License office for assistance.
    • Business Improvement Assessment - If your business is located in a Business Improvement District see the back of the form for the calculation instructions. The assessments vary based on location. If the BID field states “N/A” your business is not in an assessment district and this assessment does not apply. 

  5. Penalty Calculation and Additional Fees Calculations

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    See the Renewal Penalty Schedule to determine the penalty assessment percentage.  If you are submitting your renewal after August 31st, you are subject to penalty fees on your unpaid business license tax and applicable assessments. If you are renewing on or before August 31st, penalties do not apply. 

  6. Additional Fees Calculations

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    If you are subject to any regulatory permit, processing fees of state mandated fees, they will be preprinted in this section.  Also, any prior year credits or unpaid balances will also be printed.  Add these preprinted fees to the business license tax and assessment due and enter that amount in the last box.

  7. Sign and Date the Form

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    Review all of the information you entered on your renewal notice and make any necessary revisions. Once everything is complete, sign the renewal, print your title and enter the date. Return your renewal to the Business License unit 

  8. Submit Your Renewal Form

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    Email your form to business.license@santamonica.gov. Once your form has been received and processed, an invoice with payment options included will be emailed to the email address noted on the renewal form.

Mail

You may submit your renewal form by mail using the steps below. Processing time will be 15-20 days.  If we require further information to complete processing, we will email you at the email address given on your renewal form.  

  1. Gather Your Documents and Review

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    To complete your form, gather your renewal notice, any supplemental forms included with your renewal notice, and your gross receipts information from the preceding calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If this is your first time renewing, refer to the back of your renewal notice to determine your reporting period.

    • Your renewal email or renewal notice
    • Any supplemental forms
    • Your gross receipts information from the preceding calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If this is your first time renewing, refer to the back of your renewal notice to determine your reporting period

  2. Review Your Business Information at the Top of the Form

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    For this section you will need any supplemental form(s) included with your renewal email or renewal notice. 

  3. Enter Your Santa Monica Gross Receipts, Employee Information and Applicable Exemptions

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    • Employee Information - Enter the number of employees working in Santa Monica working more than 4 hours a week
    • Gross Receipts - If your business is still in operation after June 30th, enter your gross receipts information from the preceding calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If this is your time renewing, refer to the back of your renewal notice to determine your reporting period. If the box has an “N/A” skip this step.
    • Business License Tax Exemption - If your Business generates less than $100,000 worldwide, you may qualify for the tax exemption. For more information, review Business License and Regulatory Permits - FAQ Exemptions and Deductions

  4. Calculate the Business License Tax and Business Improvement District Assessment (if applicable) Calculations

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    • Business License Tax - The minimum business license tax in the amount of $75 is due the first $60,000 in gross receipts (excluding businesses that qualify for the Business License Tax Exemption or are tax-exempt - see the Deductions section of the FAQs for more information). Gross receipts in excess of $60,000 are taxed at the rate appropriate to your business.  Your businesses license tax rate is provided on your Business License Renewal form. If you need assistance with calculating your business license tax, you can use the Business License Tax Calculator (coming soon) or contact the Business License office for assistance.
    • Business Improvement Assessment - If your business is located in a Business Improvement District see the back of the form for the calculation instructions. The assessments vary based on location. If the BID field states “N/A” your business is not in an assessment district and this assessment does not apply. 

  5. Penalty Calculation and Additional Fees Calculations

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    See the Renewal Penalty Schedule to determine the penalty assessment percentage.  If you are submitting your renewal after August 31st, you are subject to penalty fees on your unpaid business license tax and applicable assessments. If you are renewing on or before August 31st, penalties do not apply. 

  6. Additional Fees Calculations

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    If you are subject to any regulatory permit, processing fees of state mandated fees, they will be preprinted in this section. Also, any prior year credits or unpaid balances will also be printed. Add these preprinted fees to the business license tax and assessment due and enter that amount in the last box.

  7. Sign and Date the Form

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    Review all of the information you entered on your renewal notice and make any necessary revisions. Once everything is complete, sign the renewal, print your title and enter the date. 

  8. Submit Your Documents & Payment

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    Mail the Completed Application, payment by check and any applicable Supplemental Documentation to:

    City of Santa Monica

    Business License Unit

    P.O. Box 2200

    Santa Monica, CA 90407-2200


    • Do not include any credit card information on postal mailed documentation. 
    • To pay by credit card, please note on your form that you would like to pay by credit card and an invoice will be emailed back to you for payment online.

In-Person

  1. Gather Your Documents

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    To complete your form, gather your renewal notice, any supplemental forms included with your renewal notice, and your gross receipts information from the preceding calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If this is your first time renewing, refer to the back of your renewal notice to determine your reporting period.

    • Your renewal email or renewal notice
    • Any supplemental forms
    • Your gross receipts information from the preceding calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If this is your time renewing, refer to the back of your renewal notice to determine your reporting period

  2. Review Your Business Information at the Top of the Form

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    For this section you will need any supplemental form(s) included with your renewal email or renewal notice. 

  3. Enter Your Santa Monica Gross Receipts, Employee Information and Applicable Exemptions

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    • Employee Information - Enter the number of employees working in Santa Monica working more than 4 hours a week
    • Gross Receipts - If your business is still in operation after June 30th, enter your gross receipts information from the preceding calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If this is your time renewing, refer to the back of your renewal notice to determine your reporting period. If the box has an “N/A” skip this step.
    • Business License Tax Exemption - If your Business generates less than $100,000 worldwide, you may qualify for the tax exemption. For more information, review Business License and Regulatory Permits - FAQ Exemptions and Deductions

  4. Calculate the Business License Tax and Business Improvement District Assessment (if applicable) Calculations

    + -
    • Business License Tax - The minimum business license tax in the amount of $75 is due the first $60,000 in gross receipts (excluding businesses that qualify for the Business License Tax Exemption or are tax-exempt - see the Deductions section of the FAQs for more information). Gross receipts in excess of $60,000 are taxed at the rate appropriate to your business.  Your businesses license tax rate is provided on your Business License Renewal form. If you need assistance with calculating your business license tax, you can use the Business License Tax Calculator (coming soon) or contact the Business License office for assistance.
    • Business Improvement Assessment - If your business is located in a Business Improvement District see the back of the form for the calculation instructions. The assessments vary based on location. If the BID field states “N/A” your business is not in an assessment district and this assessment does not apply. 

  5. Penalty Calculation and Additional Fees Calculations

    + -

    See the Renewal Penalty Schedule to determine the penalty assessment percentage.  If you are submitting your renewal after August 31st, you are subject to penalty fees on your unpaid business license tax and applicable assessments. If you are renewing on or before August 31st, penalties do not apply. 

  6. Additional Fees Calculations

    + -

    If you are subject to any regulatory permit, processing fees of state mandated fees, they will be preprinted in this section.  Also, any prior year credits or unpaid balances will also be printed.  Add these preprinted fees to the business license tax and assessment due and enter that amount in the last box.

  7. Sign and Date the Form

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    Review all of the information you entered on your renewal notice and make any necessary revisions. Once everything is complete, sign the renewal, print your title and enter the date. Return your renewal to the Business License unit 

  8. Submit Your Renewal Information

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    Renewal forms can be accepted in person by appointment. Click HERE to make an appointment. 

    Bring your completed renewal form and supplemental documentation to the Business License office located at:

    City of Santa Monica

    City Hall East

    1685 Main Street

    Santa Monica, CA 90401


    You may also drop off your information after hours or without an appointment by using the Finance drop box in front of City Hall East.

  9. Submit Payment

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    Once your form has been received and processed, you will receive an invoice with payment options included.

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