Annual county business licenses due

It’s nearly October which means Cullman County business licenses are up for renewal, with a slight change this year for residents who own multiple businesses.

A new law goes into effect this year, requiring applicants to provide Social Security numbers for individuals or the Federal Employer Identification Number for other business entities, said Cullman County Probate Judge Tammy Brown. Business licenses are due by Oct. 31 and will be delinquent Nov. 1.

Those who do not renew their business licenses by Oct. 31 will face a penalty of 15 percent of the total license cost plus interest which is calculated daily. The cost of the business license is based on what kind of business it is and where it is located in the county, Brown said.

The probate office mailed out 2,787 notices Monday. Licenses purchased in October are good through Sept. 30, 2015.

“If you didn’t get a notice in the mail, you need to come into the probate office and get the license renewed,” Brown said.

County business licenses can be purchased by mail or by visiting the probate office on the first floor of the Cullman County Courthouse. Licenses can also be purchased at the probate office’s three satellite offices: Dodge City Town Hall, Hanceville City Hall or the Baileyton sheriff’s substation.

A $2 mail fee must be included when renewing businesses by mail. Required business permits, including health food permits, must be presented at the time of purchase or mailed with the renewal notice.

Brown advised county business owners who do business in cities like Cullman to check with municipalities to see if they need to obtain an additional city business license.

Examples of various types of business licenses include: auctioneers, automobile dealers, fireworks, pawnbrokers, handguns and knives and shotguns, rifles and ammunitions.

For more information, contact the Cullman County Probate Office at 256-775-4803 or at 256-775-4808.