How to Start a Tampa Business

You can check name availability using the Florida Fictitious Name Database.

Before you can file your application for a DBA, you need to publish a legal notice of intent to use a fictitious name in a local newspaper. The publication can be online or in print as long as it meets the following requirements:

• At least 25% of the paper is written in English
• Issues are published at least weekly
• The paper is available as a periodical in Hillsborough County
• The paper has been established for at least one year

You won’t need to get proof of publication, only to certify that your notice has been published. Publication rates vary: La Gaceta charges $35 to publish a fictitious trade name legal notice, while placing an ad in the Tampa Bay Times for Hillsborough County may run you $57 or more (depending on how much space it takes up on the page).

You can submit a paper application or file your fictitious name registration online through Sunbiz. The filing fee is $50.

Online tax registration is available through the Department of Revenue’s e-Services Enrollment portal. You can also find out what information you’ll need to collect before registering and what steps to take after, thanks to the Department’s account registration informational page.

One way to figure out which taxes you must pay is through the Department of Revenue’s Taxpayer Education guides and tutorials, which contain a New Business Startup Kit.

Another way is by using the Business Information Portal at OpenMyFloridaBusiness.gov. You can search or browse for your business type (for example, “publishing”). Under the information included about starting your business, there will be a list of the taxes you may be required to pay.

If you’re not sure about whether or not you need to pay sales tax, you can check the complete list of qualifying businesses on the Department’s Florida Sales and Use Tax page. Additionally, if you’re an online retailer making more than $100,000 in annual remote sales, you must pay sales tax on that income.

When the remote sales exceed $100,000 annually, you may need to pay Florida sales tax. Remotes sales over $100,000 a year in Florida will typically require the retailer to register for taxes whether the retailer is based in Florida or not, or using a out-of-state marketplace. Consult a tax professional if you need help determining whether you’re required to pay.

To determine which licenses you may be required to get, you can refer to the Florida Business Information Portal.

Within the portal, you can search for specific business types (“Dentist” or “Attorney”) or browse business categories (“Transportation” or “Publishing, Movies, Television, Radio, Data, and Communications”) to find a checklist of requirements that applies to your business, including required licenses and where to get them.

You can get professional and industry-specific licenses/permits through the state agency that regulates your field. For example, to become a Certified Pest Control Operator, you’ll have to get licensed through the Department of Agriculture & Consumers Services’ Division of Agricultural Environmental Services ($300 plus $10 for an ID).

The three main licensing agencies in Florida are:

• The Department of Business & Professional Regulation
• The Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
• The Department of Health

To explore the agencies within these departments, you can also refer to the Department of State’s list of state agency homepages.

You can apply for a county-level license through the county government agency that oversees your industry, as listed on the Hillsborough County Business Licensing & Regulation site.

To legally do business as a contractor in Hillsborough County, you need to get a contractor’s license. You’ll need to file an application and get that application approved by the licensing board, pay all required fees ($50 application initiation fee and $230 after application acceptance), and pass the state Experior Assessments Examination. You can review all the steps required to apply for a Hillsborough County Contractor License on the county’s website and submit your application online through the HillsGovHub portal.

Tampa doesn’t issue a general City of Tampa business license. However, if you plan on selling fireworks within Tampa city limits, you will need to get a City Occupational License from the Fire Marshal.

Hillsborough County provides Zoning Information & Counseling, including access to the Hillsborough County Map Viewer, Permit Fees, and dedicated zoning counselors. You can submit a Zoning Information Request online or by phone.

In the City of Tampa, you can contact Construction Services about Commercial Permits, generally required for new constructions, additions, or alterations. Construction Services’ Permit Fee Estimator can also help you figure out the cost.

For Hillsborough County permits, you can apply online using the PGM Store. You can find downloadable applications using the county’s list of Zoning Applications & Forms.

Tampa permit applications must be submitted through Tampa Construction Services.The cost of your Business Tax Receipt will depend on the type of business you own. As an example, for Hillsborough receipts, contractors will pay $18 – $468.75 (based on how many employees they have), a pawnbroker will pay $337.50, and a hotel will pay $1.50 per room. Tampa taxes also vary. For instance, an advertising agency must pay $243.09, plus $17.35 for each worker, while a DJ must pay $115.76.

Generally, home-based businesses do not need to obtain any zoning permits. You’ll only need a permit if Conditional or Special Use permit is required by the nature of your business—for example, running a dog kennel on your property.