How to file the San Francisco Business Registration Certificate (San Francisco)
Apply online, sign the DocuSign email within 15 days, then pay the fee when asked.
- Agency
- San Francisco Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector
- Where it applies
- San Francisco
- How it's filed
- Filed online
- Fee
- $55$55 for up to $100,000 in San Francisco gross receipts, rising with receipts.
- How long it takes
- The certificate is mailed within 10 to 15 business days after payment.
- Renewal
- Every year, by the last day of February.
The form, line by line
| Line | What goes there |
|---|---|
| Organization Type | Organization Type (check one)Sole Proprietorship / Venture / Public Agency / General Partnership / Limited Partnership / Limited Liability Company / Limited Liability Partnership / B-Corporation / C-Corporation / S-Corporation |
| Organization Type | Non-profitYes / No |
| Business Identification | Business Name (as shown on your income tax return) |
| Business Identification | Business Tax ID (SSN, FEIN, or TIN) |
| Business Identification | Start Date in SF (MM/DD/YYYY)Future dates not accepted. |
| Business Identification | Telephone # / EXT |
| Business Identification | Business Email AddressThe DocuSign signature request is sent to the email entered on the Business Identification page. |
| Business Identification | Business Mailing Address, City, State, ZipThe only address the office sends mail to; the certificate is mailed here. |
| Business Identification | Are you establishing this business to be a vendor (City Bidder/Supplier) or participate in procurement with the City?Yes / No |
| Business Identification | Supplier ID / Bidder ID |
| Business Identification | Correspondence IDFrom the top right of any letter from the Treasurer's office instructing you to register. |
| Business Identification | Is this a change of ownership?No / Yes - Change in Entity's Organization Type / Yes - Change in Entity's Ownership |
| Business Identification | Business Account Number of previous business |
| Business Identification | Previous business name |
| Ownership Information | Owner NameRepeat the ownership block for each owner; officers are optional. |
| Ownership Information | Owner Business Tax ID (SSN, FEIN, or TIN) |
| Ownership Information | Owner Email Address |
| Ownership Information | Owner Telephone # / EXT |
| Ownership Information | Owner Mailing Address, City, State, Zip |
| Business Information | Are all your business activities wholly within San Francisco?Yes / No |
| 1 | What is the average number of employees per week, including those outside of San Francisco? |
| 2 | What is the estimated San Francisco payroll expense? |
| 3 | What is the estimated San Francisco gross receipts for the current calendar year?Drives the registration fee tier. |
| 4 | Does this business have taxable Business Personal Property in San Francisco?Yes / No |
| 5 | Does this business receive rental income from four or more residential units in one building?Yes / No |
| 6 | Is this business subject to the cannabis tax?Yes / No |
| 7 | Is this business exempt from paying the Registration fee?Yes / NoDocumentation required if Yes. |
| Ownership Taxes and Fees | Ownership taxes and fees (Yes/No each)Access Line Tax / Telephone Users Tax / Utility Users Tax / Traffic Congestion Mitigation Tax |
| Prior Year Gross Receipt | Tax Year / San Francisco Gross Receipts / San Francisco Payroll ExpenseRequired if the SF start date is before July 1 of the current year. |
| Six digit 2022 NAICS code that best matches your principal business activityAsked in the online application (not on the 2022 PDF); displayed on the registration certificate. | |
| Identification of Busine | Select all business activities that apply at each San Francisco locationAccommodations (Includes Short Term Rental Hosts) / Administrative and Support Services / Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation / Biotechnology / Certain Services / Clean Technology / Construction / Financial Services / Food Services / Information / Insurance / Manufacturing |
| First Year Free 1 | Is this a commercial use location in San Francisco?Yes / No |
| First Year Free 2 | Do you want to participate in the First Year Free program?Yes, I want to participate / No, I do not want to participate |
| First Year Free | I understand that if this business has more than $15,000,000 in SF gross receipts for the calendar year... (waived amounYes / No |
| First Year Free | Agree that eligibility and gross receipts data may be shared with other City departmentsYes / No |
| Location Taxes and Fees | Location taxes and fees (Yes/No each)Short Term Residential Rental / Transient Occupancy Tax, Tourism Improvement District & Moscone Expansion Distri / Transient Occupancy Tax Small Operator / Parking Tax / Cigarette Litter Abatement / Sugary Drinks Tax |
| Location | Location Trade Name (DBA)Repeat for each location, DBA, or FBN. |
| Location | Location Start Date in SF (MM/DD/YYYY) |
| Location | Location Address, City, State, Zip |
| Certification | Print Full Name, Title (authorized registrant)Officer, general partner, member manager, etc.; an agent may sign only under a valid Power of Attorney. |
What to attach
- Proof of exempt status (only if claiming exemption from the registration fee)
Official links
Checked against the agency's own page.
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