Miami, FL Local Taxes & Fees: Business Tax Classification (2026)
Key Facts
- Renewal deadline
- October 1 each year
- Rate basis
- Classification code, Sec. 31-50
- No valid BTR
- Misdemeanor, Sec. 1-13 penalty
- No display
- 30-day suspension possible
- Categories
- 300+ BTR classification codes
Summary
Miami requires every business to hold an annually renewed Local Business Tax Receipt classified under one of more than 300 categories in Sec. 31-50, with the fee amount set entirely by that classification code and due each October 1.
As a condition precedent to engaging in or operating in the city any business, profession or occupation referred to expressly or otherwise in section 31-50 herein, whether as owner, agent, employee, manager or operator, a BTR shall be procured from the city as provided in this article, on or before October 1 of each year. Any individual, partnership, or other incorporated or unincorporated business entity conducting any business, profession or occupation referred to in section 31-50 herein, whether as owner, agent, employee, manager or operator, who does not possess a valid and current BTR and display the same as required by section 31-27 herein, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished as provided in section 1-13. Each day the above-described violation occurs shall constitute a separate offense.(b)Such conditions precedent shall apply, separately and severally, to each place or location where any such business, profession or occupation will be engaged in or operated regardless of the capacity in which the person or legal entity engaging in or operating such business, profession or occupation shall act, whether as owner, agent, manager or operator.(c)Except where specifically contrary to general law, any person doing business with the City of Miami and/or any of its agencies shall obtain a City of Miami BTR for the type of business they are contracting.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 | Ordinance 11000 (Previous Zoning Code): Supplement 22 | Miami 21 (Zoning Code): ?).
Full Breakdown
The city's Local Business Tax (BTR) ordinance ties every business's fee to a specific classification code in the Sec. 31-50 schedule -- an accountant pays $116.00, an administrative office $131.00, and an amusement park $1,332.00, for example. Sec. 31-26(a) makes holding the correctly classified BTR, procured by October 1 each year, a condition of operating in the city, whether as owner, agent, employee, manager or operator. The receipt must also be displayed as required by Sec. 31-27. Sec. 31-26(b) requires a separate BTR for each place or location where the business operates, regardless of the capacity in which the person acts.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a valid, correctly classified BTR is a misdemeanor under Sec. 31-26(a), punishable per Sec. 1-13, with each day of operation a separate offense; failing to display an otherwise valid BTR can trigger a 30-day suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Miami decide what my Local Business Tax Receipt costs?
What happens if I operate without the correct BTR classification?
Do I need a separate BTR for each business location?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami to another location·View the Florida local taxes & fees overview
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Business Tax Classification in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle business tax classification.