Every business operating in Riverside, including home-based and online sellers, must obtain a business tax certificate from Finance, with rates varying by classification, gross receipts, and employee count.
Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 5.04 imposes an annual business tax on anyone conducting business in the city. Classifications include retail, professional services, contractors, rentals, and home occupations. Out-of-city contractors must register before performing work in Riverside. Gross-receipts-based rates apply to most categories, with flat fees for certain professions. The certificate also serves as proof of zoning compliance for home occupations and is checked when permits, leases, or contracts are filed with the city.
Operating without a certificate, misclassifying the business, or underreporting receipts can lead to back taxes, penalties up to fifty percent, and code-enforcement action.
Riverside, CA
Riverside allows home occupations in residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) under RMC Chapter 19.440, subject to strict limits intended to preserve residenti...
Riverside, CA
Riverside requires a Home Occupation Permit (HOP) plus a City business tax certificate before starting any home-based business. The HOP is administered throu...
See how Riverside's business tax classification rules stack up against other locations.
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