24 Jan Learn how to file your business license online!
City of Beaufort schedules drop-in sessions to teach new online business license renewal
The new year brings a new way for companies to renew their business licenses with the City of Beaufort – through an online payment service.
The service is free and is available through the city’s website www.cityofbeaufort.org and click on Online Payments in the upper right corner. The traditional method of renewing business licenses by paper, either through the mail or in person, remains available.
“We have been working to put more of our services and information online, from our OpenGov financial reporting system for city finance reports to paying business licenses and accommodations taxes online,” Beaufort City Finance Director Kathy Todd said.
“The online renewal for business licenses takes people step-by-step and includes a built-in calculator for the amount due,” she said. “The hardest part might be to get people to try it the first time.”
To help area businesses with the optional online system, city leaders have scheduled drop-in workshops. Participants should bring their own laptop or tablet, but it is not required to establish your account and accessibility. The drop-in workshops are scheduled for:
Feb. 7 — 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Feb. 9 — 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 14 — 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Feb. 16 — 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Business owners are encouraged to visit City Hall any time during those sessions for individual assistance in establishing their online account. An account must be created first before the business license can be renewed. There are instructions on the city website how to create the account, but Todd said her staff is ready to provide individual assistance as additional support.
“Customer service is so important, and our goal is to making renewing business licenses easier,” she said. “We are moving to put even more services online, but we’ll continue to offer in-person support as well.”
“Last fall the city unveiled the online payment option for hospitality/accommodations tax payments. Putting business license renewals online as well as the monthly hospitality and accommodations filings will make it more convenient for businesses to process their renewals and submit their monthly filings,” Todd said.
“As the online option rolls out this fall, business owners can still submit their license renewals on paper. While business licenses must be renewed annually, local hospitality and local accommodations taxes must be paid to the city each month. Putting that process online makes it easier for area restaurants, hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts to submit the required forms and payments,” Todd said.