Business License: Application - City of Independence, Missouri

Business License Application

If outside the US or Canada, please use a printable (PDF) application. Business Forms

NOTE: In accordance with Section 71.620 (1) R.S.Mo. as amended, some professional occupations are exempt from the licensing and fee provisions. (see List of Exempt Businesses)

A zoning verification form is now required to complete a business license application for all in-town businesses. Please download the appropriate form and return to planning staff at City Hall (111 E. Maple Ave.) or cdplanning@indepmo.org to confirm your business is allowed at the proposed location. After downloading the appropriate form you may continue with your online business license application. Planning staff will return the verification form to you and regulated industries staff after review.

Zoning Verification Form Zoning Verification Form for Home Businesses

List of Exempt Business Types

In accordance with Section 71.620 (1) R.S.Mo. as amended, the following professional occupations are exempt from the licensing and fee provisions.

Minister of the gospel
Duly accredited Christian Scientist practitioner
Priest (The church itself is not exempt if it provides child care or educational classes)
Teacher (The school facility is not exempt)
Professor in a college (The college facility is not exempt)
Lawyer
- Do you have any employees that provide any services to clients for which fees are paid?
  - Y = You must apply for a General Business License and report the gross receipts of these services. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Certified Public Accountant
- Do you have any employees that provide any services to clients for which fees are paid?
  - Y = You must apply for a General Business License and report the gross receipts of these services. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Dentist
- Do you have any retail sales of products/items for which you collect sales tax?
  - Y = You must apply for a General Business License and report the gross sales of these products. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
- Do you have any employees that provide any services to patients for which fees are paid?
  - Y = You must apply for a General Business License and report the gross receipts of these services. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Chiropractor
- Do you have any retail sales of products/items for which you collect sales tax?
  - Y = You must apply for a General Business License for the sale of these products. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
- Do you have any employees that provide any services to patients for which fees are paid?
  - Y = You must apply for a General Business License and report the gross receipts of these services. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Optometrist
- Do you have any retail sales of products/items for which you collect sales tax?
  - Y = You must apply for a General Business License for the sale of these products. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
- Do you have any employees that provide any services to patients for which fees are paid?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License and report the gross receipts of these services. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Chiropodist
- Do you have any retail sales of products/items for which you collect sales tax?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License for the sale of these products. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
- Do you have any employees that provide any services to patients for which fees are paid?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License and report the gross receipts of these services. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Physician or Surgeon (The medical facility is not exempt)
- Do you have any retail sales of products/items for which you collect sales tax?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License for the sale of these products. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
- Do you have any employees that provide any services to patients for which fees are paid?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License and report the gross receipts of these services. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Farmer
- Are all agricultural products/produce being sold grown locally and being sold by the farmer who actually grew the product?
  - Yes = All sales must be sold from a wagon, cart or vehicle with property owner permission
  - No = This type of sale is not allowed in the city limits of Independence
Architect
- Is your office located inside the city limits of Independence?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License for this location
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Professional Engineer
- Is your office located inside the city limits of Independence?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License for this location
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Land Surveyor
- Is your office located inside the city limits of Independence?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License for this location
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Auctioneer — State Auctioneer license must be current and valid to proceed.
- Is your office located inside the city limits of Independence?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License for this location
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Real Estate Broker or Real Estate Salesperson
- Is your office located inside the city limits of Independence?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License for this location
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Insurance Agent or Broker
- Is your office located inside the city limits of Independence?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License for this location
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Veterinarian
- Do you have any retail sales of products/items for which you collect sales tax?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License and report the gross sales of these products. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
- Do you have any employees that provide any services to the general public for which fees are paid?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License and report the gross receipts of these services. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Clinical Audiologist or Speech-Language Pathologist
- Do you have any retail sales of products/items for which you collect sales tax?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License for the sale of these products. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
- Do you have any employees that provide any services to patients for which fees are paid?
  - Yes = You must apply for a General Business License and report the gross receipts of these services. (Only professional services are exempt)
  - No = This profession is exempt from business licensing requirements per State Statutes
Private Investigator/Detective
Credit Union
Savings & Loan Association

Complete the fields below. Select the "Continue" button when you are finished. For instructions on a specific section or field, hover on the icon. For information about a particular part of the application, click on the icon.

Business Information

This form is valid.

Business Name:

Phone Number:

Attention:

Fax Number:

Business Address:

City:

State:

ZIP Code:

Cell Phone:

Email:

Business Type:

Business Ownership Type:

Business Ownership

The Business Ownership describes the ownership structure under which your business is owned and operated.

An Individual (Sole Proprietorship) is one individual in business alone. Sole proprietorships are the most common of business structure.This type of business is simple to form and operate, and may enjoy greater flexibility of management and fewer legal controls. However, the business owner is personally liable for all debts incurred by the business.

A Partnership is composed of two or more persons who agree to contribute money, labor, and / or skill to a business.Each partner shares the profits, losses, and management of the business, and each partner is personally and equally liable for debts of the partnership.Formal terms of the partnership are usually contained in a written partnership agreement.

A Corporation is a more complex.business structure.As a chartered legal entity, a corporation has certain rights, privileges, and liabilities beyond those of an individual.Doing business as a corporation may yield tax or financial benefits, but these can be offset by other considerations, such as increased licensing fees or decreased personal control.Corporations may be formed for profit or nonprofit purposes.

A Limited Liability Partnership is similar to a Partnership except that normally a partner does not have personal liability for the negligence of another partner.

A Limited Liability Corporation is formed by one or more individuals or entities through a special written agreement.The agreement details the organization of the LLC including: provisions for management, assignability of interests, and distribution of profits or losses."

I certify that the Corporation, LP, LC or LLC is in good standing with the Missouri Secretary of State's office. This certification does not apply to business ownership of either sole proprietor or partnership.

NOTE: If the ownership of this business is a Corporation, LP, LC or LLC, it must be in good standing with the Missouri Secretary of State's office before the City can issue a Business License for you to conduct business within the City.

If the business is not in good standing with the Missouri Secretary of State's office, please exit this application process now.

Please contact the Missouri Secretary of State's office at 816-889-2925 or you may visit their website for more information about registering and reporting requirements for Corporations, LP, LC and LLC.

Are you also applying for a Liquor License at this time?

Yes No

NOTE: If you are purchasing a business that currently has a license for any type of liquor sales, it is imperative that the previous owner stay active and in control until your liquor license has been approved and issued by the City of Independence.

If this agreement can not be met, then all liquor sales will have to discontinue until such license is issued to the new owner.

My business is a charitable or non-profit organization.

501C Employer Identification Number:

Name of Registered Organization:

Will you need a Special Use Permit?

Will this be a Home, Phone, Internet or Mail-based business?

Number of Employees:

Business Start Date:

Description of Business Activity:

Federal ID# or SSN:

Note: please only enter numbers

MO Retail Sales Tax Number:

If your business activity requires a Missouri Retail Sales Tax Number, you may obtain an application from Missouri Department of Revenue at the Missouri State Office by calling (573) 751-3505 or (573) 751-9268 or visit their website at http://www.dor.mo.gov. Once that sales tax number has been issued to your business, you may then apply for your City of Independence Business License.

Please do not proceed with the application process without the Sales Tax Number if one is required.

If you are required to have a Missouri Retail Sales Tax License, your account must be current with the Missouri Department of Revenue. You must complete the following certification: I hereby state that, as an applicant to renew the Business License to conduct business in the City of Independence, Missouri, I hold a current Missouri Retail Sales Tax License and am in possession of a letter from the Missouri Department of Revenue stating there is no retail sales tax due for said business. I further state that said letter was issued to the business no more than ninety (90) days prior to this application.

I certify that I am in compliance with the statement of no tax due to the address listed above. I certify that I am not required to have a Missouri Retail Sales Tax Number.

NOTE: If your business participates in retail sales you must have a MO Retail Sales Tax Number to complete this application.

You may obtain one by calling: (573) 751-3505 or (573) 751-9268
or visit their website at http://www.dor.mo.gov

Contacts

Owner/Corporation Information

Owner/Corporation Name:

Principal Contact:

Address:

City:

State:

ZIP Code:

Phone Number:

Fax Number:

Cell Phone:

Email:

Individual Responsible for Business Operations

Is this individual's address the same as the Owner's address?

Name of Individual Responsible for Business Operations:

Address:

City:

State:

ZIP Code:

Date of Birth:

Soc. Security Number:

Phone Number:

Email:

Additional Mailing/Contact Information

Name:

Address:

City:

State:

ZIP Code:

Phone Number:

Fax Number:

Email:

The Business License should be mailed to:

Renewals should be mailed to:

License Fee Calculation

The minimum business license fee is $75.00. The maximum license fee is $50,000.00. The license fee is calculated as follows: $75.00 for projected gross receipts of $1.00 to $25,000.00, plus $0.31 per each $1,000 in projected annual gross receipts exceeding $25,000. New small businesses (10 or fewer employees) pay a flat fee of $75 their first year. All future renewal fees will be calculated as stated above.

Businesses without an office in Independence should project gross receipts for Independence only. All other businesses report the total gross receipts of the business. Residential builders shall project gross receipts based on sale price of homes. Fees for insurance sales agents or any business that is based on commissions, shall be based on projected annual commissions.

Current Year Gross Receipts:

Gross Receipts

This amount shall mean the gross receipts or revenue earned from the receipt of cash, credits, and property of any kind for any act or service by a business or person in the preceding calendar or fiscal year consistent with the reporting used for federal taxation purposes.

When submitting an application, you will project this amount.

Businesses without an office in Independence should use gross receipts for Independence only.

Businesses that use an Independence address for their physical location must report their total gross receipts.

Residential builders shall use gross receipts based on sale price of homes.

Fees for insurance sales agents or any business that is based on commissions shall be based on annual commissions.

Prior Year Gross Receipts:

The following businesses pay a flat annual business license fee as follows:

Private detective/private watchgaurd agencies (five or less employees):	$100
Private detective/private watchguard agencies (six or more employees):	$200
Insurance companies - all types of insurance including fire (does not include Title insurance) - maximum fees:	$200
Insurance companies - all types of insurance except fire (does not include Title insurance) - maximum fee:	$100
Pawnshops - $500 license fee plus an investigation fee of $500:	$1000
Pawnshops - additional location:	$750

Workers Compensation Insurance Requirements for Business License – Chapter 287 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri requires that any City which issues a business license for a contractor in the construction industry shall require a certificate of insurance for workers' compensation coverage or an affidavit signed by the applicant attesting that the contractor is exempt. Construction industries include employers who erect, demolish, alter or repair improvements and as such would include but not be limited to: construction contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, mechanical, heating & are conditioning contractors, special trade contractors, roofing contractors and house movers. Therefore you will need to submit a certificate of insurance evidencing workers' compensation coverage or you should agree that you are not required to obtain worker's compensation insurance coverage. Your business license will not be valid until you do so.

General Liability Insurance Requirement for Business License – Section 5.01.008.b of the Business License Code requires that every business that permits members of the public on its business premises or that performs services on premises other than its own business premise, shall certify that the business has a minimum of $500,000 of general liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage per occurrence.

You may email or mail your certificate of insurance to:

Licensing Division
P.O. Box 1019
Independence , MO 64051
Email: insurancecerts@indepmo.org

I certify that:

I have this insurance and will fax or mail the certificate of insurance to the address listed above. I am not required to have this insurance.