Business Tax Certificate

Information regarding regulations and applications for a Culver City Commercial Cannabis Business Permit for manufacturing, distribution, cultivation, testing, storefront, and delivery-only retail businesses is available on the Cannabis/Marijuana webpage.

The requirement for a business tax certificate and payment of business tax is a uniform requirement for nearly all cities in California. It is the business owner's responsibility to determine the city's requirements for taxes, fees, permits, zoning, signage, etc. before starting business. A business is responsible for payment of business tax from the date that they started doing business. If they are delinquent in paying tax, then they are required to pay late payment penalties in addition to the tax obligation.

Businesses operated from any location or address within Culver City, including a residential address, are required to obtain a business tax certificate.

Businesses operated from a residence must abide by the following requirements of the Culver City zoning code:

• No disruption to the neighborhood.
• No clients/customers on the premises.
• No disturbing noise, vibrations, etc.
• No employees on the premises.
• No advertising or signs.
• No storage of materials.
• No parking of commercial vehicles.

A residential rental property with four (4) or more units being rented is a business activity which requires a business tax certificate, payment of annual business tax and an annual fire inspection. A residential rental property of three (3) units being rented requires an annual fire inspection but is not required to maintain a business tax certificate or pay annual business tax. Residential rental units of two (2) or fewer units being rented are not required to maintain a business tax certificate or pay business tax.

Yes, non-profit organizations are required to obtain a business tax certificate; but, are exempted from paying business tax on those activities for which they have I.R.S. proof of tax exemption. If they engage in activities which are not related to their non-profit functions, then they are required to pay local business tax on those business activities which are not related to their non-profit status.

All businesses operating within the City are required to obtain a business tax certificate, no matter where their main office may be located.

The Culver City Municipal Code requires that a separate business tax certificate be obtained for each location of a business, each "dba" or name of a business, and each type of business activity at the same location. For example, a business which provides both retail and wholesale sales and repair services at the same location is required to have a separate business tax certificate for each of these three separate business activities. A restaurant business with four different locations is required to have a separate business tax certificate for each location.

Business owners are subject to separate citations for each day that a business operates without a business tax certificate. Each citation for failure to obtain a business tax certificate is a misdemeanor punishable by fine up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both.

The business tax certificate is valid for the current calendar year, January through December. It must be renewed for each year that the business is in operation.

Business taxes are due upon receipt of the business tax certificate renewal notice which is mailed in early December of each year. Business tax becomes delinquent if not paid by the last day of February. Late payment carries a penalty of 20% per month up to 100% of the amount due.

Business tax rates depend on the type of business activity. Most business activities are taxed on the basis of gross receipts - that is, the total amount of money taken in by the business, whether they made a profit or not. Businesses which have not generated any gross receipts during the tax year are taxed on the basis of their cost of operations.

Wholesale/retail sales and most services are taxed at a rate of $1 per $1,000 of gross receipts. Consulting and most professional services are taxed at a rate of $3 per $1,000 of gross receipts. Other business activities (such as commercial vehicles, vending machines or warehouses) are taxed on a unit basis. Contact the Revenue Division at (310) 253-5870 for the business tax rate on a specific business activity.

All individuals, corporations, firms, syndicates, joint stock corporations, partnerships, trusts, associations, organizations, clubs, and societies which offer goods, materials, commodities, wares, merchandise or services for sale to the public in Culver City and all professions, crafts, trades, occupations and callings of every kind and nature which are carried on for profit in Culver City are required to obtain a business tax certificate within 30 days of starting business.

A business tax certificate is required whether the business actually makes a profit or not. Independent contractors must obtain a business tax certificate. Non-profit organizations are required to obtain a business tax certificate but are exempted from paying business tax on those activities for which they have I.R.S. proof of tax exemption.

The only entities exempt from obtaining a business tax certificate are homeowner associations and employees of a business.

A business tax certificate is not a permit to operate - it is simply a receipt for payment of business tax.

Depending on the type of business and the location, Culver City, Los Angeles County and the state may require various permits to operate.

Required business tax certificate application forms are available online or from the Finance Department at City Hall, 9770 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, (310) 253-5870.

For businesses based at a Culver City address (including P.O. Boxes) the business owner or his representative must submit the application in person to the Finance Department.

No, each city issues its own business tax certificates and assesses its own tax. A Culver City business tax certificate is valid only for operations within Culver City.