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1. When do I need a St. Lucie County local business tax receipt?

You will need a St. Lucie County local business tax receipt when you conduct a business or profession in:

• Fort Pierce
• Port St Lucie
• St. Lucie County
• Village of St Lucie

2. Is the county business tax receipt all I need?

No, depending on the type of business or profession and the location of your business you may need a state license and/or city business tax receipt.

3. Do I need more than one county business tax receipt?

You will need one business tax receipt for each location from which you are operating your business and for each category of business you are conducting.

4. Do I need a new business tax receipt if I have a business tax receipt and move to a new location, change my business name or there is a change in ownership?

You must transfer your old business tax receipt if you make one of the above changes, with an accompanying $3 fee. Depending on the new business location, you may be required to submit new paperwork.

5. Why do I need a city business tax receipt?

You need a city business tax receipt when your business is located in the city, you fall under the jurisdiction of both city and county.

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1. What is meant by resort facilities?

Resort Accommodations

Resort accommodations are living quarters that are rented for a period for six months or less such as:

• Apartment-motel
• Beach house and cottage
• Cooperatively-owned apartment
• Mobile home
• Motel
• Multiple-unit structure
• Resort motel
• Room in a hotel
• Rooming house
• Single-family dwelling
• Tourist or trailer camp or condominium
• Trailer
• Vacant land for temporary living quarters

Renting

If you rent for more than 6 months, you must have a bona fide written lease to be exempt. Please see Chapter 1-19.3-1 through 32 Street Lucie County Code and Complied Laws adopting Chapters 212 and 213 Florida Statutes and Rule 12A-1.061 Florida Administrative Code. A copy of this written lease must be submitted to:
St. Lucie County Tax Collector
Tourist Development Tax Department
P.O. Box 308
Ft. Pierce, FL 34954-0308
Email: touristtax@tcslc.com   Phone: 772-462-1650

2. Who collects this tax?

All owners, rental agents or brokers of rental property collect the Tourist Development Tax from their tenants or guest and remit it to the St. Lucie County Tax Collector's Ft. Pierce office, or the Port St. Lucie office. The Tax is 5% of the gross monthly rental and is in addition to any other tax, including the Department of Revenue Sales Tax.

A rental agent would collect and submit the tax for several properties and would be the primary contact person with this office. The 5% Tourist Development Tax is not just a good idea, it's the law.

3. What is a collection allowance and when is it allowed?

Tourist Express customers receive a collection allowance of 2.5% on the total tax due when payment is made online by the 20th of the month. A maximum of $30 (on the first $1,200 rental) is allowed.

4. What are the penalties for non-compliance?

The Penalties For Non-Compliance can be costly if tax payment is not remitted properly and on time. If tax return is delinquent, the following penalties apply:

• Charges for returned checks range from $20 to $40 (depending on the amount of the bad check), or 5% of the face amount of the check, whichever is greater.
• The collection allowance of 2.5% is not allowed.
• Fraud is prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law under Federal Statute 125.0104.
• Interest will be added on delinquent tax at a semi-annual rate set by the state. Please call the office for the current rate.
• There will be a 10% penalty on the Total Tax Collected for each 30 days, or a fraction thereof, up to a maximum of 50%, but in no case less than a $50 penalty. A $50 penalty applies for failure to file a Temporarily Inactive Form.

5. How often are these taxes remitted?

These taxes are due on the 1st of the month following the month of collection. Payments are considered delinquent if not postmarked by the 20th of the remitting month. 

A Temporarily Inactive Form is provided for you to file if applicable. No monthly coupon is required if you have filed for inactive status. This applies to most seasonal renters. A coupon for $0 doesn’t have to be filed when the Temporarily Inactive Form is on file. If no coupon sent or inactive form filed a $50 penalty will apply.