Archives: FAQs

How is the Santa Ana commercial real estate rental business license tax assessed?

The business license tax for the rental of commercial real estate is assessed per property, based on the leasehold/ownership of the property. A separate business license is required for each separate commercial rental property location. The business license tax assessment is made on a gross receipts (gross rents) basis per property. A reduced basic tax … Continued

What does Santa Ana consider a “commercial real estate rental business”?

Municipal Code Section 21-3 defines the business of rental of commercial real estate as including every person, whether as an owner-lessor or leaseholder-lessor, engaged in the business of leasing, renting, subleasing, subletting, providing, exchanging or trading without loss of ownership or leasehold any real property, dwelling, building, structure, premises or portion thereof for industrial, commercial, … Continued

I am renting a Santa Ana residential property to family members is this still considered to be a business? Do I have to get a business license?

Renting to immediate family members related by blood, adoption or marriage is considered to be a business and a license is required. If you are renting only to immediate family members (mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, brothers and sisters, and husbands and wives) and the amount you receive … Continued

What does Santa Ana consider a “residential real estate rental business”?

Municipal Code Section 21-3 defines the business of rental of residential real estate as including every person who engages in the business of leasing, renting, subleasing, subletting, providing, exchanging or trading without loss of ownership or leasehold any residential property within the City for purposes of general residency.

How is the Santa Ana residential rental business license tax assessed?

The business license tax for the rental of residential real estate is assessed per property, based on the ownership of the property. A separate business license is required for each separate rental property location. The business license tax assessment is made on a per unit basis and reflects the maximum number of rentable units making … Continued

My business entity (Corporation, LLC, Partnership, LP, etc.) is dormant/passive and it is just paying a minimum tax to the Secretary of State. Is it required to get a business license?

Yes, if your business is registered as “active” with the California Secretary of State and is reporting on a business return to the FTB and IRS from a Santa Ana location, it will need a business license. Maintaining a business entity within the City, whether it is transacting public business or not, is considered operating … Continued

Do I need a business license if I operate a commercially-based or home-based business specifically exempted by State or Federal Law?

No business license tax or other administrative fee is required for the operation of a commercially-based or home-based business specifically exempted by State or Federal Law. Supporting qualifying information establishing your business as specifically exempted must be furnished. A “Fee-Exempt” administrative business license shall be issued to qualifying exempted businesses.

Do I need a business license if I operate a commercially-based or home-based nonprofit business, organization, or institution?

Yes, if you operate a commercially-based or home-based nonprofit business, organization, or institution, you are required to secure a “Non-Profit” Business License. Information supporting qualification of your business as a “non-profit” must be furnished. No business license tax (other than an administrative application processing charge) shall be applied with respect to any bona fide nonprofit … Continued

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