STEP 1: Does this tax apply to me?

If you earned self-employed in Los Angeles city limits in 2023 and will have additional work in Los Angeles in the near future, then you are subject to this tax. Continue to Step 2.

If you no longer live in Los Angeles and never registered, you may not benefit from continuing this registration.

STEP 2: Are you registered? Do you have a Business Tax Registration Certificate?

Not sure if you've already done this or not? Check this website (if you just registered, it could take several weeks for your info to appear here): https://data.lacity.org/Administration-Finance/Listing-of-Active-Businesses/6rrh-rzua/about_data. You'll need to download the spreadsheet containing all registered businesses.

If you need to register, apply online here: https://latax.lacity.org/businessregapp/eappreg_criteria

Here's our step-by-step guide:

DO NOT STOP HERE.

COMPLETE STEP 3 TO AVOID TAXES.

STEP 3: Annual Renewal & Tax Exemption

Apply online here: https://latax.lacity.org/laweb/F-logon.jsp

Which tax exemption checkbox applies to me?

  • Small business exemption — You can check this box if you make less than $100,000 revenue.
  • Creative/artist exemption — You can check this box instead if you make less than $300,000 AND your work could be considered "creative activities" for "entertainment or aesthetic purposes." Use your judgement or reach out to us.

Hold up, I'm getting an error that my account doesn't exist!

If you just created your account recently (aka you recently registered for the first time), it will occasionally take several days (or even weeks) for the system to register. In this case, you will need to file your annual renewal/tax exemption physically in the mail. Print / sign / mail. I know this sucks -- LA is literally the absolute worst with this entire thing. You'll need to fill out this form. Here's LA's official guide on how to fill out the paper form: https://finance.lacity.gov/business-tax-renewal-instructions. Fill out what you can using the guide above, but feel free to email us at info@brasstaxes.com for support!