How much permits cost to open in Tampa
In Tampa, the filings with a fixed government fee add up to about $125. 7 more are set by the space or the business, and 7 are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal
Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, faxed or mailed
- Takes
- Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.
LLC formation
Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)FL
Form the LLC or register a foreign company online.
- Fee
- $125
- Filed
- Filed online
Florida sales tax and reemployment tax registration
Florida Department of RevenueFL
Register online before you start doing business. The same application covers sales and use tax and reemployment tax, Florida's unemployment tax for employers.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- After registering online, the certificate number is available on the website after three business days.
Create/Update Importer Identity Form
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Sent to CBP (usually through your customs broker), or created in the ACE portal. Needed before your first entry as importer of record.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- Up to 5 business days.
Customs Bond
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Bought from a CBP-approved surety, usually through your customs broker, who files it electronically. A continuous bond covers a year of entries.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- At least 5 business days for review.
- Renews
- Continuous bonds renew yearly.
Certified food protection manager
Florida DBPR, Division of Hotels and RestaurantsFL
Food managers complete training and pass a certification exam from an accredited program within 30 days of starting the job, and the restaurant shows proof whenever an inspector asks.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Applied for online in ACE. Lets you see your entries, duties and bond.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA)
U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal
Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the facility that makes or processes the cosmetics.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every two years.
Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA)
U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal
Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the brand (the responsible person on the label), one listing per product.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Update every year.
Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry
U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionUS federal
The importer issues the certificate itself (there is no government form) and, under the eFiling rule, files the certificate data with CBP at entry.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Hillsborough County local business tax receipt
Hillsborough County Tax CollectorTampa
Get it before you start trading: apply online in BTExpress in one sitting, with the business name, SSN or EIN, a physical county address and any state or county license the business needs.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Reviewed in 3 to 5 business days, then paid and printed online.
- Renews
- Every year; all receipts expire September 30, with renewal from July 1.
Hazardous materials registration
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT)US federal
Filed online when you ship or offer certain hazardous materials in bulk, such as large lithium battery shipments.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every year by June 30.
City of Tampa business tax receipt
City of Tampa Business TaxTampa
A business inside Tampa city limits files the new business application online; the city may inspect the site.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Tampa doesn't publish a processing time for a new business tax receipt; applications are made online or by appointment.
Food service plan review
Florida DBPR, Division of Hotels and RestaurantsFL
Required for a space that is newly built, remodeled, converted from another use or reopening after 18 months closed; the state recommends approval before construction. Submit the plan with labeled equipment and a sample menu together with the new license application on DBPR Online.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Florida public food service license
Florida DBPR, Division of Hotels and RestaurantsFL
Apply and pay on DBPR Online, one license for each operation. Once the plan review requirements are met, call 850-487-1395 several business days before opening to book the opening inspection; serve nobody until it passes and a temporary paper license is issued on the spot.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Most applications are processed within a few business days; mailed ones take longer.
- Renews
- Every year online, on the district's date: October 1 in Miami, February 1 in Tampa, April 1 in Orlando.
Guides for each business in Tampa
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your business in Tampa
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders