BEAUFORT, S.C. (March 20, 2020) – Recognizing that many businesses in the City of Beaufort have been adversely affected by measures taken by federal, state and local governments to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, Beaufort City Council approved the following actions in an emergency meeting on March 19:
2020 City of Beaufort Business License Renewals
All penalties and interest associated with filing 2020 business license renewals are waived until June 20, 2020.
Business owners are encouraged to renew licenses via the self-service portal that can be accessed at https://beaufort.munisselfservice.com/citizens/default.aspx. Business owners can also renew business licenses by mailing renewal forms and payment to 1911 Boundary St., Beaufort, SC 29902. If any assistance is needed to calculate license fees, please reach out to the office via phone at 843-525-7025 or email at buslicense@cityofbeaufort.org.
The annual deadline for business license renewals is April 15.
Hospitality Industry
Hospitality/Accommodations Tax:
For the months of February, March & April, all interests and penalties associated with hospitality and accommodations tax filings are waived until June 20, 2020.
Business owners are encouraged to file accommodations and hospitality tax via the self-service portal or by mailing in forms and payment. If any assistance is needed, please reach out to our office.
Hospitality and accommodations taxes are normally paid on the 20th of the month following the reporting month.
Carriage Fees
The due date for Carriage Fees has been changed to June 20, 2020.
Contractors
All general contractors who have subs that need to obtain business licenses/temporary business licenses, are asked to encourage those subs to complete and submit the fillable online business license applications and send these applications to our office via email at buslicense@cityofbeaufort.org.
At their meeting on March 19, the mayor and council members urged businesses in the City that are NOT adversely affected by coronavirus concerns to pay their taxes by the normal due date. “Our availability to keep up services – police, fire, keeping parks open – depends of people paying their taxes and contributing to city operations like they always have,” said Councilman Stephen Murray. At the same time, council members recognized that the restrictions placed on many businesses in response to the virus have placed burdens on businesses and their employees.
Mayor Pro Tem Mike McFee reminded local businesses that it is a violation of state law to use money owed for taxes for business operations to help with cash flow.
NOTE: Beginning Monday, March 23, the City of Beaufort will close its offices to the public to better protect employees, and the public, from the spread of COVID-19. For those who use the Business License Office, that means that all communications, applications and payments should be done electronically or via mail. The business license website page can be found here: http://sc-beaufort.civicplus.com/231/Business-License.
Phone calls will be answered during business hours: 843-525-7025.
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