Fees & Penalties

Please note that each new application is assessed a one-time $50.00 registration and $30.00 zoning review fee. The registration and zoning fees are separate and will not be refunded if the application is denied or canceled. A complete list of the Wellington Local Business Tax Receipt Classification & rate schedule is located in Wellington ordinance 2012-014.

New Business Tax Receipt  (BTR)  fees are prorated for half-year from April 1st through September 31st. The Business Tax is not prorated if your business is operational prior to April 1st.

The taxes are based on the business category, ranging from $100.00 to $2,500.00. Some classifications determine the tax by the number of employees, number of seats, inventory at cost, number of merchandise machines, rental units, etc. Please refer to Wellington Ordinance 2012-14 for the full fee schedule or contact customer service staff with specific pricing questions at 561-790-4000.

Merchants: Retail or Wholesale

BTR’s are issued based upon annual inventory at cost for retail/wholesale businesses. It shall be the duty of the person applying for a BTR to file a sworn statement as to the amount of the annual inventory cost. When the cost of the BTR is related to retail or wholesale inventory, the BTR fee is as follows:

$100.00 for Small Retail (2,100 square feet or less)*

$100.00 for Large Retail (exceeding 2,100 square feet)*

$100.00 for up to $10,000.00 in inventory*

$ 6.00 for each additional $1,000.00 in inventory* 

Licensed Professionals

A BTR shall be required of an individual, corporation, or professional association regulated by law. Each person or business that is licensed separately from a state agency must acquire a Business Tax Receipt per classification (i.e. each doctor or lawyer employed in a practice, cosmetologist in a hair/nail salon, or real estate broker in an office, etc. ). 

 BTR fees for professionals are as follows:

 $100.00* for the individual business/establishment

Additional fee up to $100* (cost depends on the industry) for the main state-licensed professional of the business. 

Additional fee up to $100* (cost depends on the industry) for each state-licensed professional employed as an independent contractor within the business.

Food/Drink Services

All eating and drinking establishments have the following BTR fees:

$100.00 for a base fee up to 50 seats*

$3.40 for each additional seat* 

Additional licenses are required through state agencies including the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (if applicable).

Rental Properties

$100 tax and $5.00 per rental unit *

Change of Location Address $30 processing fee.

Change/Transfer of Ownership $25 processing fee.

Change of Business Name $25 processing fee.

Renewal Fee $100* yearly (**Plus any additional licenses, merchandise fees, or late penalties that may apply to your business**)

* The cost of a Business Tax Receipts varies according to the type of business/trade. Please call the Business Tax Department at 561-791-4000 for specific license fees and other pertinent information prior to submitting the application.

Please see the Renewing My Business License tab for due dates and late penalties associated with renewals.