The City of Douglas has amended the Code of Ordinances, CHAPTER 10, BUSINESSES, ARTICLE I, SECTION 10-46 additional requirements relating to issuance of an occupational tax certificate (business license) in connection with delinquent property or inventory taxes. The City will honor the Coffee County payment plan for prior year tax delinquent property owners.
After reviewing the County Tax Commissioner’s office protocol for the delinquent property tax payment plan, the city has amended the ordinance to encourage property owners, who also own a business within the city limits, to pay their current year property or inventory taxes within one full year. The city will now allow a business owner, who is on the County payment plan, to receive their business license for the calendar year. If the person misses a payment, the agreement is void and the person must pay in full. The city’s delinquent date for business license renewal will change from June 1st to December 31st to keep with the calendar year-end date for an occupational tax certificate (business license). Taxes for real estate and business personal property are due on December 1st of each year for Coffee County.
When applying for or renewing a business license with the City of Douglas, each occupational tax certificate holder must be in full compliance. To comply, business owners should verify their business location, verify their business name, verify mailing address, and, if applicable, verify their state license is current. A business license will not be approved nor renewed, if the business owner or landowner (where the business is located), owes delinquent occupation tax, property taxes, or ad valorem tax to the City of Douglas or Coffee County Tax Commissioner. Also, a business license/renewal will not be granted if the business owner or property owner owes a debt, such as a delinquent utility bill, to the City of Douglas.
For more information regarding this ordinance amendment or business license renewal procedures, please contact the Code Enforcement office at (912)389-3460.