Requirements
What Are The Requirements?
- All businesses required to have a City of Chattanooga Business must also have a Hamilton County Business License. For information on obtaining a Hamilton County Business license please call (423) 209-6500.
- A business license does not permit operation unless properly zoned and/ or in compliance with all other applicable states, county, or city laws, rules and regulations. Also, as required by T.C.A 39-17-1801 et seq., businesses must comply with all provisions of the Tennessee Non-Smoker Protection Act.
- Additional permits may be required as set forth by the City of Chattanooga Code of Ordinances. It is the responsibility of the owners, officer’s partners, or members of a business to keep up with law changes.
How Do I Renew?
Renewal notices may not go out as the business owner you are responsible for renewing your business license each year.
How Do I Apply?
Business License Applications are now processed online.
Need Assistance?
For questions about business licenses or the application process, call 423-643-7262 or email busl@chattanooga.gov
Apply for the following permits; Beer, Brown Bag Permit, Special Gathering Permit, Temporary Event Beer Permit,, Wrecker | |
Apply for the following permits; Adult Entertainment Individual or Establishment, Special Sale (Going out of Business), Hotel Permit, Mobile Food Unit Permit, Sidewalk Vendor, Manufacturing of Intoxicants, Teen Social Club Permit, Transient Vendor Permit.
| |
Apply for a Business License | |
Apply for Small Businesses |
| Fees | Rates |
|---|---|
| Initial business tax registration only | $15 |
You can mail your payment at the address below or online, note a convenience fee will be added to your payment. The City will no longer be processing paper applications.
City of Chattanooga
Office of the City Treasurer
101 E 11th Street, Room 100
Chattanooga, TN 37402-4285
Phone number: (423) 643-7262
Process Details
Approval Process / Evaluation
Once this application is submitted, it will be received by the Chattanooga Office of Economic and Community Development.
Helpful Resources
- Business License Guide
- Tennessee Code Annotated
- Tennessee Department of Revenue Business Tax Guide
- Tennessee Department of Revenue Franchise & Excise Tax Guide
- Tennessee Department of Revenue Sales and Use Tax Guide
- City of Chattanooga Code of Ordinances
- Business License Renewal
- Information on Personal Property Tax
- Information on Closing your Business
- Information on Obtaining a Short-Term Vacation Rental Permit
- Tennessee Department of Revenue Contact Information
FAQ
Where is the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Located?
Please contact Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Office Locations.
How can I apply for a business license?
All businesses required to have a City of Chattanooga Business must also have a Hamilton County Business License. For information on obtaining a Hamilton County Business license please call (423) 209-6500.
What is the cost of a business license?
There is an initial registration fee of $15 for obtaining a business license. This covers the initial business tax registration only. After registration businesses must comply with Tenn. Code Ann. §§
67-4-708(1) – (5) and Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 67-4-708(1) – (4).
What payment types are accepted?
Payments for New Business Licenses and Permits can be made by cash, personal check, money order or credit card.
What are my responsibilities after registration?
After registration, the business is required to file all returns by the tax due dates, keep copies of those returns, and maintain records. It is the responsibility of the owners, officers, partners, or members of a business to keep up with the latest changes and updates both State Tax law and the City of Chattanooga Code of Ordinances.
If any changes in business information occur, which include but are not limited to the following: updating the business name, updating the business address, updating the business mailing address, updating the business contact information, you are required to promptly notify the Tennessee Department of Revenue. All this information can be entered directly into a taxpayer’s TENNESSEE TAXPAYER ACCESS POINT (TNTAP) business tax profile. It is the responsibility of the owners, officers, partners, or members of a business to keep up with the latest changes and updates to state, county, and or city, rules and regulations.
Physical address, mailing address, and contact changes will no longer be submitted through the City Treasurer’s Office and must be submitted through the TNTAP system. At any time a business has ceased operation, the business owner is required to notify the Department of Revenue within 15 days of closing
by filing final tax returns. You can stay informed on changes to the City of Chattanooga Code of Ordinances by visiting the City of Chattanooga Council webpage. You can stay updated on tax law changes by visiting the Tennessee Dept. of Revenue’s important notice page.
Where do you obtain a sales tax number?
Applications to obtain various TN Tax ID Numbers are available either electronically through the TNTAP system, in hard copy form linked from the TNTAP system, or in person at any of the various Tennessee Department of Revenue locations that allow walk-in visits. Please find that information linked below.
How do I renew a business license?
Learn more at Business License Guide.
How will I receive my renewed copy after I have filed and paid my business tax?
The recent changes in State law, businesses that gross under $100,000 will be converted to a minimal business license and the renewals will be processed through the City/County. The city’s online system, OpenGov/Citizen Services, will send an electronic notification to the business. The business will then renew their business license online, and pay the fee of $15. After payment is received you print your updated business license from the system.
For businesses grossing $100,000 or more the license will remain a standard license and the following will continue to apply.
As of May 29th 2018, business Licenses will no longer be mailed out when they are renewed. Renewed business license copies will now be electronically sent to a taxpayer’s TNTAP account via the message portal 48 hours after the City of Chattanooga receives a record of tax clearance from the Tennessee Department of Revenue. For questions on using your TNTAP account call (615) 253-0600.
Business licenses are available to be emailed or mailed to the authorized representatives of the business by request only. To make a request to receive either an electronic PDF copy of your business license emailed, or a hard copy mailed to the address on file please email busl@chattanooga.gov or fax (423) 643-7278 with the following information. Please use the subject line BUSINESS LICENSE COPY REQUEST.
Please list the name of the business, physical address where it is located, and a phone number where you can be reached. The City of Chattanooga will call and ask for either the FEIN (Federal Employer Identification number) for all Corporations, LLC, Partnerships, Estates Trusts. We will ask for the SSN (Social Security Number) or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) for all Sole Proprietors and or Marital Joint ownerships.
If any further changes in business information occur, such as primary address, mailing address, and or personnel changes; the business is legally required to promptly notify the Tennessee Department of Revenue. All this as well as business tax returns are required to be filed directly via the Tennessee taxpayer access point (TNTAP) system.