Welcome to the online access portal! We are pleased to offer our visitors access to government services online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To get started, please select one of the online activities below:
To get started, please select one of the online activities below:
Apply
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Submit a NEW Business License Application
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VIEW CURRENT BUSINESS TAX RATES HERE
Processed applications will be billed and sent a balance due letter. Payments are due within 10 days.
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Close Your Business License Account
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Request for Refund
Please refer to RMC 5.04.230
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Frequently Asked Questions
All persons or companies conducting business in the City of Riverside
are required to pay a business tax. This includes, but is not limited
to, retail outlets, wholesalers, manufacturers, service companies,
professional businesses, independent contractors, home businesses,
and commercial and residential landlords. If you conduct business in the City of
Riverside from an office located outside of Riverside, you are required to pay a
business tax.
Business Tax Certificates are not transferable or assignable to any other person or business.
You must register and pay the business tax prior to the commencement of business.
For a new business, the business tax is due and payable at the
start of business. For business tax renewals for existing businesses,
the business tax is due and payable at the expiration date of the
previous certificate.
Business taxes are paid annually unless otherwise specified. All
annual business taxes are due in advance on or before the
expiration date of the then current certificate or on or before the
first day of business for any new business. Business taxes for periods other than the
annual period are payable in advance on or before the first day of business and
thereafter on or before the first day of each applicable period.
A separate tax certificate is required for each type of business
activity conducted at a single location and for each branch or
location of a business. Business Tax Certificates shall be displayed for
each business activity and at each branch or location.
Business tax rates are calculated based upon the type of business
utilizing a minimum tax plus additional increments. The increments
can include, but are not limited to, gross receipts, number of
employees, number of machines, number of vehicles, etc. To view
current rates, visit RiversideCA.gov/Finance.
Penalties for new businesses are 30% of the business tax 60 days after
the business start date; 50% 90 days after the business start date and
75% 120 days after the business start date.
A Business Tax Certificate is required for any property owner
engaged in the rental of residential or commercial real estate within
the City of Riverside.