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Florida Sales Tax Rules

12A-1.060 Registration

(1) PERSONS REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS DEALERS.

(a) Every person desiring to engage in or conduct any one of the following businesses in this state as a "dealer" must register with the Department of Revenue and obtain a separate certificate of registration for each place of business:

  • 1. Sale of admissions or making of any charge for admission to any place of amusement, sport, or recreation or where there is any exhibition or entertainment subject to tax under Section 212.04, F.S.;
  • 2. Sale, lease, let, rental, or granting a license to use tangible personal property subject to tax under Chapter 212, F.S.;
  • 3. Repairs or alterations of tangible personal property subject to tax under Chapter 212, F.S.;
  • 4. Sales of electric power or energy subject to tax under Section 212.05(1)(e), F.S.;
  • 5. Sales of services subject to tax under Section 212.05(1)(i), F.S.;
  • 6. Sales of prepaid calling arrangements subject to tax under Section 212.05(1)(e), F.S.;
  • 7. Operation of coin-operated amusement machines subject to tax under Section 212.05(1)(h), F.S.;
  • 8. Operation of coin-operated vending machines subject to tax under Section 212.0515, F.S.;
  • 9. Lease, let, rental, or granting licenses to use any living quarters or sleeping or housekeeping accommodations subject to the transient rental tax imposed under Section 212.03, F.S.
  • 10. Lease, let, rental, or granting a license in real property;
  • 11. Lease or rental of parking or storage space for motor vehicles in parking lots or garages;
  • 12. Lease or rental of docking or storage space in boat docks or marinas;
  • 13. Lease or rental of tie-down or storage space for aircraft;
  • 14. Soliciting, offering, providing, entering into, issuing, or delivering any service warranty subject to tax under Section 212.0506, F.S.;
  • 15. Purchasing diesel fuel for consumption, use, or storage by a trade or business, as provided in Section 212.0501, F.S.;
  • 16. Engaging in any business for which a person desires to obtain self-accrual authorization, as provided in Section 212.183, F.S., or authority to remit sales tax on behalf of its independent distributors or independent sellers, as provided in Section 212.18(3), F.S. See Rule 12A-1.0911, F.A.C.;
  • 17. An air carrier electing to remit tax under the provisions of Section 212.0598, F.S.; or
  • 18. Any person electing to obtain self-accrual authorization in order to pay tax based on the partial exemptions provided in Sections 212.08(8) and (9), F.S.

(b)1. For purposes of this rule, a "dealer" means a dealer, as defined in Section 212.06(2), F.S., and a dealer who makes mail order sales, as provided in Section 212.0596, F.S.

2. The term "dealer" does not include a "nonresident print purchaser." A "nonresident print purchaser" is any person whose only owned or leased property in this state, including property owned or leased by an affiliate, is located at the premises of a printer with which the purchaser has contracted for printing. The property for which the purchaser has contracted for printing must be the final printed product or property from which the printed product is produced. Nonresident print purchasers are not required to register as dealers. For guidelines regarding sales made to nonresident print purchasers, see subsection (5) of Rule 12A-1.027, F.A.C.

(c) The Department will NOT issue a Certificate of Registration for the purpose of sales and use tax to any out-of-state applicant who requests a certificate for the sole purpose of making tax-exempt purchases of items for resale outside this state when:

  • 1. The applicant has no permanent, licensed place of business in this state; and
  • 2. The applicant does not make retail sales within this state.

(d) For purposes of this rule, a "place of business" is a location where a dealer engages in an activity or activities described in this subsection. A place of business includes the entire contiguous area in which the dealer carries on an activity or activities that require registration. A dealer that engages in more than one activity requiring registration within a contiguous area generally is required to obtain only one registration certificate for that location. The Department will, however, treat areas within a single contiguous location as separate places of business and require a dealer to obtain separate registration certificates if the activities carried on in those areas are subject to taxation under different provisions of Chapter 212, F.S., the activities are not functionally related, and the efficient administration of the taxes imposed by Chapter 212, F.S., is facilitated by multiple registrations. The Department will permit a dealer to obtain separate registrations for activities carried on at a single contiguous location at the dealer's request if the dealer keeps separate financial records for the activities and the activities are not functionally related. Under no circumstances will a dealer be subject to more than one penalty for failure or refusal to obtain a registration certificate for a single contiguous location, even if the dealer could be required or permitted to obtain separate registration certificates for multiple activities carried on at the location. The following examples illustrate the application of this rule in determining whether more than one place of business exists at a single contiguous location.

1. A taxpayer operates a shopping mall with 100 retail outlets that are leased to stores and restaurants, parking and common areas, and offices where management and accounting functions are performed. The taxpayer is required to register as a dealer because the rental of real property to the retailers is taxable under Section 212.031, F.S. The entire shopping mall is a single place of business for purposes of registration by the taxpayer.

2. A taxpayer owns a parcel of land with a building and a parking area. The building is divided into three areas. In one area, the taxpayer operates a retail building supply store. In the second area, which has a separate customer entrance, the taxpayer operates a retail store where custom furniture is made and sold. The third area in the building is used as warehouse and office space serving both stores. When ordering inventory, taxpayer combines orders of lumber, hardware, paints, and stains from suppliers for the building supply store and for the furniture store. All inventory is purchased for resale and no records are maintained of whether materials are sold in the building supply store or incorporated into furniture for sale in the furniture store. The taxpayer records sales for both activities in the same accounting records. The parcel of land and the building are a single place of business for registration purposes. Separate registration cannot be required because both the sale of the building supplies and the sale of furniture are taxable under Section 212.05(1), F.S. In addition, because of shared inventory and sales records, the two activities are functionally related. Because the activities are functionally related and separate records are not kept, the taxpayer would not be permitted to treat them as separate places of business for registration purposes.

3. A taxpayer owns a parcel of land with a building and a parking area. The building is divided into three areas. In one area, the taxpayer operates a retail building supply store. In the second area, which has a separate customer entrance, the taxpayer operates a retail store where custom clothing is made and sold. The third area in the building is used as warehouse and office space serving both stores. Separate sales and other accounting records are maintained for the two stores. Unless the taxpayer applies for separate registration certificates, the parcel of land and the buildings are a single place of business for registration purposes. Separate registration cannot be required because both the sale of the building supplies and the sale of clothing are taxable under Section 212.05(1), F.S. If the taxpayer applies for separate certificates of registration for the two activities, the Department then would treat the building supply store and the clothing store as separate places of business because they are not functionally related and separate accounting is done for each.

4. A taxpayer owns a large tract of land. The taxpayer operates an amusement park on part of the land. The taxpayer charges admission for entrance to the park. In addition to amusement rides, the park facilities include restaurants and a gift shop operated by the taxpayer and concession stands throughout the park where concessionaires sell snacks and beverages. The taxpayer also operates a resort hotel adjacent to the amusement park on the same tract of land. Because of its proximity to the park, the hotel caters primarily to park visitors. The hotel contains several restaurants and a gift shop operated by the taxpayer as well as retail stores that taxpayer leases to other merchants. The hotel also contains offices from which the taxpayer manages the entire amusement park and hotel complex and centralized storage areas serving the entire complex. The taxpayer orders food for all its restaurants and other materials and supplies on combined purchase orders, regardless of where in the park and hotel complex the food, materials, or supplies will be used. Employees may be assigned to work anywhere throughout the entire park and hotel complex as needed. The taxpayer treats the entire complex as a single business for purposes of financial accounting. The taxpayer would be entitled to treat the entire tract of land with amusement park and hotel facility as a single place of business for registration purposes. Even though the taxpayer's activities are taxable pursuant to several different sections of Chapter 212, F.S., all of the activities are functionally related parts of a single tourism/resort business under the taxpayer's operational methods and accounting practices.

5. A taxpayer owns a large tract of land. The taxpayer operates an amusement park on part of the land. The taxpayer charges admission for entrance to the park. In addition to amusement rides, the park facilities include restaurants and a gift shop operated by the taxpayer and concession stands throughout the park where concessionaires sell snacks and beverages. The taxpayer also operates a resort hotel adjacent to the amusement park on the same tract of land. Because of its proximity to the park, the hotel caters primarily to park visitors. The hotel contains several restaurants and a gift shop operated by the taxpayer as well as retail stores that taxpayer leases to other merchants. The hotel also contains offices from which the taxpayer manages the entire amusement park and hotel complex and centralized storage areas serving the entire complex. The taxpayer orders food for amusement park restaurants and other materials and supplies for the amusement park separately from food, materials, and supplies for the hotel complex. Employees may be assigned to work anywhere in the entire amusement park or anywhere in the hotel complex but no employee is assigned to work in both areas. The taxpayer treats the amusement park as one business and the hotel complex as a separate business for purposes of financial accounting. The taxpayer would be entitled to treat the entire tract of land with amusement park and hotel facility as a single place of business for registration purposes. Even though the taxpayer's activities are taxable pursuant to several different sections of Chapter 212, F.S., and the amusement park and hotel are not operated as functionally related activities, requiring two registration certificates would not facilitate efficient administration of Chapter 212, F.S. If the taxpayer applied for two registration certificates, the Department then would treat the amusement park and the hotel complex as separate places of business because they are not functionally related and separate accounting is done for each.

6. A taxpayer owns a large tract of land. The taxpayer operates an amusement park on part of the land. The taxpayer charges admission for entrance to the park. In addition to amusement rides, the park facilities include restaurants and a gift shop operated by the taxpayer, concession stands throughout the park where concessionaires sell snacks and beverages, and maintenance and storage buildings. The taxpayer manages the amusement park activities, including purchasing and payroll functions from taxpayer's corporate headquarters in another city. The taxpayer also owns a resort hotel adjacent to the amusement park on the same tract of land. The hotel contains several restaurants and retail stores that are leased to other merchants. Because of its proximity to the park, the hotel caters primarily to park visitors. The taxpayer has entered into a management agreement with a third party management company. The management company is responsible, under its contract with the taxpayer, for all aspects of operating the hotel, including purchasing, paying suppliers, personnel, leasing retail stores to merchants, financial record keeping, and tax matters. The management company collects sales taxes in regard to the hotel operations and remits those taxes on taxpayer's behalf to the state. All records in regard to the hotel operations are maintained by the management company at the hotel premises. The taxpayer will be required to treat the amusement park and the hotel as separate places of business. The two activities are not functionally related in terms of operations or accounting. In addition, because a separate return will be prepared and filed for the hotel operations, it will facilitate administration of Chapter 212, F.S., if a separate registration and reporting number is assigned.

7. A taxpayer operates a manufacturing facility and a retail outlet on the same tract of land. Statutes have been enacted to provide sales and use tax exemptions to businesses manufacturing the type of product the taxpayer manufactures. Those statutes require the department to make annual reports to the legislature and the office of the governor on the volume of sales made by manufacturers claiming the exemption. The department will require separate registration of the manufacturing business to facilitate compiling the required annual report.

(2) HOW TO REGISTER AS A DEALER.

(a) Registration with the Department for the purposes of sales and use tax is available by using one of the following methods:

1. Registering through the Department's Internet site at the address shown in the parentheses (www.myflorida.com/dor/) using the Department's "e-Services" without payment of a registration fee; or

2. Filing a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1, incorporated by reference in Rule 12A-1.097, F.A.C.), with the Department, as indicated on the registration form, with the required $5 registration fee.

(b) A separate application is required for each place of business.

(c) Each application submitted to the Department must contain sufficient information to facilitate the processing of the application.

(3) REGISTRATION OF TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS.

(a) For purpose of this rule, a "transient accommodation" shall have the same meaning as that term is defined in paragraph (2)(f) of Rule 12A-1.061, F.A.C.

(b)1. Any person exercising a taxable privilege of engaging in the business of renting, leasing, letting, or granting licenses to others to use transient accommodations is required to register as a dealer and obtain a separate dealer's certificate of registration for each place of business where transient accommodations are provided.

2. The agent, representative, or management company for a time-share resort which rents, leases, lets, or grants licenses to others to use time-share periods under written agreement(s) with time-share period owners is presumed to be the dealer who is required to be registered. The agent, representative, or management company may collectively register the time-share units, even if the agent, representative, or management company may not rent, lease, let, or grant licenses to use to the transient public for each and every time-share period at such resort.

(c)1. Any person who exclusively enters into a bona fide written lease, as provided in subsection (15) of Rule 12A-1.061, F.A.C., for continuous residence for periods longer than six months to lease, let, rent, or grant a license to others to use, occupy, or enter upon any transient accommodation is NOT required to register with the Department.

2. Any transient accommodation that is leased under the terms of a bona fide written agreement for continuous residence for longer than six months in duration is NOT required to be registered with the Department by the owner or the owner's representative.

(d) Any agent, representative, or management company may collectively register transient accommodations, including timeshare units, under the following conditions:

1. The agent, representative, or management company holds a valid dealer's certificate of registration for each place of business;

2. The agent, representative, or management company is authorized by means of a written agreement with the property owner to collect rental charges or room rates due on any transient accommodations; and

3. The written agreement contains the following provisions acknowledged by the property owner:

a. The property owner is ultimately liable for any sales tax due the State of Florida on rentals, leases, lets, or licenses to use the owner's property; and

b. In the event that the State is unable to collect any taxes, penalties, and interest due from the rental, lease, let, or license to use the owner's property, a warrant for such uncollected amount will be issued and will become a lien against the owner's property until satisfied.

(e)1. To collectively register transient accommodations that are located in a single county, the agent, representative, or management company holding a dealer's certificate of registration may file an Application for Collective Registration for Rental of Living or Sleeping Accommodations (Form DR-1C). A separate Form DR-1C is required for each county.

2. The agent or management company must provide the following information for each property, other than a time-share unit, which is to be collectively registered:

a. Property owner's name;

b. Property owner's federal identification number, social security number, or individual taxpayer identification number;

c. Property owner's mailing address;

d. Location address of each property; and

e. An indication of whether the property is located within a city's limits.

3. The agent or management company must provide the following information for each time-share unit, which is to be collectively registered:

a. Designation of the time-share unit;

b. Time-share unit's location address; and

c. An indication of whether the time-share unit is located within a city's limits.

4. In lieu of completing all required information on Form DR-1C for each unregistered property or time-share unit, all information required for each property or time-share unit may be submitted to the Department in a schedule attached to the completed "Agent's Sales Tax Registration Information" section of Form DR-1C.

5. A $5 registration fee must accompany Form DR-1C for each transient accommodation or time-share unit that is not currently registered with the Department. A certificate of registration will be issued to the property owner for each property that is not a time-share unit and mailed to the agent's address. For time-share units, a certificate of registration will be issued and mailed to the agent or management company.

6. Social security numbers are used by the Florida Department of Revenue as unique identifiers for the administration of Florida's taxes. Social security numbers obtained for tax administration purposes are confidential under Sections 213.053 and 119.071, F.S., and are not subject to disclosure as public records. Collection of an individual's social security number is authorized under state and federal law. Visit the Department's Internet site at www.myflorida.com/dor and select "Privacy Notice" for more information regarding the state and federal law governing the collection, use, or release of social security numbers, including authorized exceptions.

(4) REGISTRATION OF EXHIBITORS.

(a) For purposes of this rule, the following definitions are provided:

1. An "exhibitor" means a person who enters into a written agreement authorizing the display by that person of tangible personal property or services at a convention or trade show.

2. A "trade show or convention" is a meeting of limited duration of individuals with organizational ties or similar interests, one of the purposes of which is the displaying of products or services or sharing information on them, without a major purpose of making retail sales of tangible personal property.

3. A "sale" is as defined in Section 212.02(15), F.S.

4. A "retail sale" is as defined in Section 212.02(15), F.S.

(b) Any exhibitor who displays tangible personal property or services at a convention or trade show is required to register as a dealer and collect and remit tax on sales of taxable property or services subject to Florida sales tax when:

1. The written agreement authorizes an exhibitor to make retail sales in this state of taxable tangible personal property or services;

2. The written agreement authorizes an exhibitor to make mail order sales, pursuant to Section 212.0596, F.S.; or

(c) An exhibitor who does not carry on any other activity in Florida that requires registration is NOT required to register as a dealer to collect sales tax when:

1. The written agreement prohibits the sale of taxable tangible personal property or taxable services; or

2. The written agreement provides that the exhibitor shall only make sales for the purposes of resale and the exhibitor obtains a copy of the purchaser's Annual Resale Certificate, as provided in Rule 12A-1.039, F.A.C.

(5) PENALTIES FOR FAILURE OR REFUSAL TO REGISTER.

(a) No person shall be issued any license from any authority within the State of Florida to engage in any business activity required to be registered with the Department until such person is the holder of a valid certificate of registration.

(b) The Department is authorized to impose a $100 registration fee for each place of business for the failure or refusal of any person to register with the Department prior to engaging in or conducting business in this state as a dealer. Persons who have failed or refused to register are those that the Department seeks to register as a result of information supplied by an informant under Section 213.30, F.S., or as a result of enforcement programs administered by the Department. In making the determination whether the $100 registration fee shall be imposed, the Executive Director or the Executive Director's designee in the responsible process shall consider and be guided by:

1. The prior history, if any, of the applicant's compliance or noncompliance with the revenue laws administered by the Department pursuant to Section 213.05, F.S.;

2. The applicant's ability to demonstrate the exercise of ordinary care and prudence through presenting to the Department facts and circumstances indicating that a diligent attempt to meet the registration requirements of the law was made. An applicant with limited business knowledge, limited education, or limited experience with Florida tax matters may establish a basis for the existence of reasonable cause when there is reasonable doubt whether the applicant is required to register;

3. Reliance upon the erroneous advice of a competent advisor that the applicant did not meet the registration requirements. To establish a reasonable cause for noncompliance with the registration requirements, the applicant must demonstrate that advice was sought in a timely manner from the competent advisor, that all necessary information was provided to the competent advisor, and that the applicant acted in good faith on the information received from the competent advisor;

4. The applicant's ability to demonstrate reliance upon another person to comply with the registration requirements on behalf of the applicant;

5. Whether the applicant, the applicant's agent, or the applicant's employee can demonstrate that the applicant exercised ordinary care and prudence in meeting the registration requirements once the applicant had actual or constructive knowledge of the requirements.

(c)1. When a person conducting business in this state fails or refuses to register his or her business, a written notice will be issued by the Department to that person alerting the person of the requirement to register. Delivery of the written notice is by certified mail or by the use of another method that is documented by the Department as being necessary and reasonable under the circumstances. Within 30 consecutive calendar days from the date of the notice, the person who has failed or refused to register must:

a. Register the person's business by submitting a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1) to the Department; or

b. File a written challenge to the notice.

2. A person who has received a written notice alerting the person of the requirement to register with the Department may file a written challenge to the notice. The written challenge must be mailed, faxed, or hand delivered within 30 consecutive calendar days of the notice. A written challenge must be made directly to the office designated in the notice and must include:

a. The person's name, address, and telephone number;

b. A statement of facts disputing the requirement to register and a description of any additional information not previously available that supports the dispute;

c. A statement explaining the law or other authority on which the taxpayer's position is based;

d. A statement whether oral presentation and argument are requested; and

e. A copy of the notice alerting the person of the requirement to register with the Department.

3. An extension of time in which to submit a written challenge may be secured by mailing, hand delivering, or faxing a written request to the office address or fax number provided in the notice. The written request for an extension to file a written challenge to the notice must be postmarked, faxed, or received by hand delivery within 30 consecutive calendars from the date of the notice. The Department will grant an extension period of 15 consecutive calendar days within which to file a written challenge to the notice.

4. If the written challenge does not contain the required information, the person will be notified in writing by the office issuing the notice that the required information must be postmarked, hand delivered, or faxed to the Department within 15 consecutive calendar days. Failure to timely submit the required information will result in forfeiture of the person's right to challenge the notice.

5. Written challenges postmarked, faxed, or received by hand delivery after 30 consecutive calendar days from the date of the notice, or after any extension period granted by the Department to file a written challenge, will be deemed late filed, and the person will be considered to have waived their right to file a written challenge to the Department's notice.

6. If the person receiving a notice issued by the Department notifying the person of the requirement to register fails to timely file a written challenge, or fails to timely request an extension of time to file a written challenge, the person will be considered to have waived their right to file a written challenge to the Department's notice.

7. Upon receipt of a timely-filed written challenge containing the required information, the Department will issue a response.

8. Any person who fails or refuses to register a place of business after failing to file, or waiving their right to file, a written challenge to the Department's notice, or after receiving the Department's response to a written challenge to the Department's notice that determines that the person should register his or her business, will become subject to the penalties imposed under Section 212.12(2)(d), F.S., and a $100 registration fee will be imposed upon registration with the Department.

9. Procedures outlined in this paragraph shall be for investigative purposes, as specified in Section 120.57(5), F.S.

(6) CASH DEPOSITS, SURETY BONDS, OR LETTERS OF CREDIT. The Department will utilize the criteria in this subsection when it requires a cash deposit, surety bond, or irrevocable letter of credit as a condition to any person obtaining or retaining a dealer's certificate of registration. Nothing in this subsection prohibits the Department from pursuing any other authorized means to collect a tax or fee liability. Nothing in this subsection requires the Department to permit the posting of a cash deposit, surety bond, or irrevocable letter of credit instead of revoking or refusing to issue a dealer's certificate of registration. This subsection does not apply to a person currently in compliance with a written agreement with the Department regarding its tax or fee liabilities and obligations.

(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this subsection:

1. The word "security" means cash deposits, surety bonds, or irrevocable letters of credit. Bonds required under this subsection must be issued by a surety company authorized to do business in this state as a surety. Irrevocable letters of credit must be issued by a bank authorized to do business in the state as a bank and must be engaged by a bank as an agreement to honor demands for payment.

2. "Tax or fee liability" means any liability for any of the following taxes or fees, penalty, or interest:

a. Any sales or use tax, discretionary sales surtax, or local option tax imposed under Chapter 212, F.S.;

b. Any tourist development tax levied under Section 125.0104, F.S., or tourist impact tax levied under Section 125.0108, F.S.;

c. The rental car surcharge levied under Section 212.0606, F.S.;

d. Any solid waste fee, such as the new tire fee levied under Section 403.718, F.S., or the lead-acid battery fee levied under Section 403.7185, F.S.;

e. The motor vehicle warranty fee levied under Section 681.117, F.S.;

f. Any penalty or interest imposed under Sections 212.12(2) or 213.235, F.S.;

(b) Qualifying Events. Security will be required when the Department determines that any of the following qualifying events apply:

1. The person owns or manages a business that has no permanent business location in Florida and there is evidence that the person will fail to remit taxes to the state;

2. The person operates from a temporary location in Florida for less than six months in any consecutive twelve-month period, and there is evidence that the person will fail to remit taxes to the state;

3. The person has had a previous certificate of registration revoked;

4. The person failed to comply with the provisions of a judgment, settlement agreement, closing agreement, stipulated payment agreement, or consent agreement entered into with the Department;

5. A warrant is currently unsatisfied in whole or in part; or

6. The person is seeking an additional registration and has an outstanding liability of $2500 or more.

(c) Security Amount Determination.

1. When the Department requires a person with an existing certificate of registration to post security, the required security will be equal to the person's total estimated tax or fee liability, as determined by the Department, for the preceding twelve calendar months, plus the person's outstanding tax or fee liability.

2. When the Department requires a person applying for a new certificate of registration to post security, the following criteria will be used to determine the amount required, unless the specific facts and circumstances warrant a higher amount not to exceed the sum of the person's total estimated tax or fee liability, as determined by the Department, for twelve calendar months, plus the person's outstanding tax or fee liability:

a. If the person is or will be:

(I) A monthly filer, security equal to six months' estimated tax or fee liability will be required.

(II) A quarterly filer, security equal to nine months' estimated tax or fee liability will be required.

(III) A semiannual or annual filer, security equal to one year of the estimated tax or fee liability will be required.

b. When considering specific facts and circumstances to determine if additional security will be required under this subparagraph, the Department will consider:

(I) The value of the person's real property holdings in Florida;

(II) The value of the person's assets in Florida, including the liquidity or mobility of the assets; or

(III) Outstanding money judgments against the person.

(d) Procedural Issues Regarding the Security Requirement.

1. When the Department determines that security is required as a condition to obtaining a dealer's certificate of registration, it will send written notice of intent to deny registration to the person at the person's last known address as it appears in the Department's records. When the Department determines that security is required as a condition to retaining a dealer's certificate of registration, it will send a notice of intent to revoke registration to the person at the person's last known address as it appears in the Department's records. The person must either post security or send a written request for a conference to the Department. The security or written request for a conference must be received by the Department within 30 consecutive calendar days after the date of the notice.

2.a. A request for a conference must be made directly to the office designated in the notice and must:

(I) State the reasons for objecting to the requirement to post security;

(II) Request an informal conference with the Department regarding the requirement to post security;

(III) Include a copy of the notice informing the person of the requirement to post security; and

(IV) Be mailed, hand delivered, or faxed to the office address or fax number provided in the notice of the requirement to post security.

b. Requests postmarked, hand delivered, or faxed more than 30 consecutive calendar days after the date of issuance of the notice will be deemed late filed and shall result in the forfeiture of the person's right to such conference, unless the person has timely secured a written extension of time within which to file a request for a conference.

c. An extension of time in which to request a conference may be secured by mailing, hand delivering, or faxing a written request to the office designated in the notice. Each extension of time will be for 30 consecutive calendar days. Within a 30 consecutive calendar day extension period, the person may submit a request in writing to the office designated in the notice for an additional 30 consecutive calendar day extension within which to request a conference.

d. Failure to mail, hand deliver, or fax a written request for a conference or a written request for an additional 30 consecutive calendar day extension within a pending extension period shall result in forfeiture of the right to such conference.

e. If a conference is requested, it will be held at the earliest convenience of both the person and the Department, but it will not be held more than 60 consecutive calendar days after the notice, unless specifically agreed to in writing by the Department.

f. If a request for a conference is not timely made, the right to seek a conference is waived.

g. The 30 consecutive calendar days provided for requesting a conference may be waived by the person to expedite resolution of the issue.

h. The person has the right to request an administrative hearing, to be conducted in accordance with Section 120.57, F.S., and Rule Chapter 28-106, F.A.C., if the notice of the requirement to post security becomes final. For this purpose, the Department's notice will become final if:

(I) An agreement is not reached after the informal conference;

(II) A written request for a conference or a written request for an extension of time for requesting a conference is not timely filed; or

(III) The right to an informal conference is waived.

3. If the person fails to post security or to secure review of the requirement to post security, the Department will deny the application for a certificate of registration, will revoke any existing certificate, and request that the Department of Legal Affairs proceed by injunction to prevent such person from doing business in the state until the appropriate security is posted.

4. Any security posted under this subsection must solely benefit the Florida Department of Revenue, and must be conditioned upon the timely compliance with the person's tax or fee liability and the terms and conditions of any compliance agreement entered into between the person and the Department.

5. Any person posting security in the form of a cash deposit must complete Form DR-17A, Certificate of Cash Deposit/Cash Bond (incorporated by reference in Rule 12A-1.097, F.A.C.). Suggested formats for the irrevocable letter of credit and the surety bond are available on the Department's website: www.myflorida.com/dor.

6. An irrevocable letter of credit must contain an expiration date that is at least eighteen months after the stated date of issuance.

7. An irrevocable letter of credit or surety bond must contain a provision that requires the issuing bank or surety company to notify the Department of the expiration or termination of the irrevocable letter of credit or surety bond by certified mail at least 60 days prior to the expiration or termination.

8. If security is still required under this subsection and an irrevocable letter of credit or surety bond expires or is terminated without substitution, the Department will revoke the applicable person's existing certificate and request that the Department of Legal Affairs proceed by injunction to prevent such person from doing business in the state until substitute security is posted.

9. No interest will be paid by the state to any person for the deposit of any security under this subsection.

(e) Insufficiency of Security. If the Department determines that the amount of any existing security is insufficient to ensure payment of the amount of the tax or fee liability, penalties, and interest for which the person is or may become liable, or if the amount of the security is reduced or released whether by judgment rendered or by use of the security to pay the delinquent tax or fee liability, penalties, or interest, the Department will provide written notification to the person of the revised amount of security required. The person is required to file an additional security in the amount required by the Department, or request a conference within 30 consecutive calendar days, failing which the Department will revoke any existing registration. If a new security is furnished, the Department, as appropriate, will cancel, surrender, or discharge the previous security, for which the new security is substituted.

(f) Security Duration. If the person complies with its tax or fee liability for a period of twelve consecutive months, upon written request, the Department will release the surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit. A person requesting the return of a cash deposit must file Form DR-29, Application for Release or Refund of Security (incorporated by reference in Rule 12A-1.097, F.A.C.). If the person ceases operation of the business during the time the security is being held by the Department, a written request must be made within 90 days of ceasing operations, requesting the return of the deposit or release of the surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit. The Department will offset any reimbursements of security under this subsection against any outstanding tax or fee liability of the person.

(g) Delinquent Payments. If any person is delinquent more than 30 days in the payment of its tax or fee liability, the Department will initiate an action to seek release of moneys from the security held by the Department.

Rulemaking Authority 212.12(2)(d), 212.17(6), 212.18(2), 213.06(1) FS. Law Implemented 119.071(5), 212.03(1), (2), 212.04(4), 212.0596(1), (2), 212.06(2), 212.12(2), (5), (6), 212.14(4), 212.16(1), (2), 212.18(3) FS. History–Revised 10-7-68, 1-7-70, 6-16-72, Amended 3-21-77, 5-10-77, 10-18-78, Formerly 12A-1.60, Amended 6-10-87, 1-2-89, 11-12-90, 3-17-94, 1-2-95, 3-20-96, 11-30-97, 4-2-00, 6-19-01, 10-2-01(1), 10-2-01(1), 8-1-02, 4-17-03, 6-12-03, 6-4-08, 9-1-09, 6-14-10, 6-28-10 (6), 6-28-10 (3).

Awards

  • FL Dept. of Revenue
  • ABA
  • FICPA
  • FL State Bar

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