Madison County still plans to institute an occupation tax — otherwise known as a business license. But the tax won’t take effect until 2009.
County commissioners agreed Monday night to scrap the occupational tax for 2008. Businesses that have already paid this year’s fee won’t have to pay again in 2009. And those who have been penalized for failing to meet an April 1 deadline this year will get a refund
Commissioner Stanley Thomas said business owners haven’t been given proper notification of the occupation tax deadlines for 2008. The occupation tax deadline for large business owners was April 1, while owner/operators had until Sept. 1.
“A lot of people were totally unaware that they had an April 1 deadline; they were trying to meet the Sept. 1 deadline,” said Thomas, who noted that approximately 20 businesses had been fined for failing to meet the April deadline.
Thomas suggested that the BOC back off the tax for 2008 and give business owners more time to learn about the new requirements.
The occupation tax includes a $36 administration fee, along with a “per employee” fee, which is as follows:
•0-3 FT employees — $24.
•4-20 FT employees — $8 per employee.
•21-100 employees — $160 plus $6 per employee in excess of 20.
•100 or more FT employees — $640 plus $6 per employee in excess of 100.
Late fees, which won’t apply until April 1, 2009, are 10 percent of the amount due or $50 (whichever is greater).
— See the county’s website for a list of businesses that have already paid: www.madisoncountyga.us
Madison County building inspection director Eddie Pritchett explained the changes as follows: “…All late fees purchased to date will be refunded along with a letter of explanation. Any OTC’s (occupation tax certificates) purchased in ‘08’ will automatically be issued in ‘09,’ with no additional fees. Those will be mailed out the first part of ’09.’ All other businesses that have not already purchased their OTC, in the unincorporated areas of Madison County, will be required to have their OTC by April 1, 2009. Any established businesses not in compliance by that date will accrue late fees.”
If you are going to make us have a fee, the 0 - 3 FT employee fee should be included with the basic fee. Plus the fee's that are charged for the larger business should be a flat fee without adding more per employee.
Can we please encourage growth, instead of trying to dig in the already shallow pockets of the business.
Get real, $60 a year is money that could go towards my tags, or property taxes on the exact same piece of property.