TOWN OF BERLIN BUSINESS LICENSES
On June 20, 2022, the Town Council adopted the first Business License Ordinance to become effective with January 2023. We respectfully request that businesses evaluate the ordinance and our boundaries to determine if a license purchase is warranted in their specific case.
DATE DUE
ALL license renewals are due January 1 and delinquent after January 31 with the exception of Insurance Companies which are due on January 1, delinquent after March 1.
PENALTIES & INTEREST
All licenses not paid on or before the date they fall due shall be assessed a penalty of fifteen (15%) percent. There shall be assessed a penalty of thirty (30%) percent if the license and assessed penalties are not paid within thirty (30) days of the due date.
REMIT PAYMENT
Make your check payable to:
Town of Berlin – 461 County Road 1615 Cullman, AL 35058
DEFINITIONS
BUSINESS: Each person firm, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, organization or association, membership cooperative, agency, group or other organization which shall engage in, practice, conduct or carry on any business, occupation, trade, vocation, profession or exhibition, offering merchandise for sale, performing services for a consideration, soliciting orders for goods or services, making deliveries of any merchandise, or engaging in business of any nature in the Town of Berlin. Any commercial or industrial activity or any enterprise, trade, profession, occupation, or livelihood, including the lease or rental of residential or non-residential real estate, whether or not carried on for gain or profit, and whether or not engaged in as a principal or as an independent contractor, which is engaged in, or caused to be engaged in, within the Town of Berlin.
GROSS RECIEPTS: The measure of any and all receipts of a business from whatever source derived, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable laws and constitutional provisions, to be used in calculating the amount due for a business license. Provided, however, that:
A.) Gross receipts shall not include any of the following taxes collected by the business on behalf of any taxing jurisdiction or the federal government: All taxes which are imposed on the ultimate consumer, collected by the taxpayer and remitted by or on behalf of the taxpayer to the taxing authority, whether state, local or federal, including utility gross receipts levied pursuant to Article 3, Chapter 21, Title 40; license taxes levied pursuant to Article 2, Chapter 21, Title 40; or reimbursements to professional employer organizations of federal, state or local payroll taxes or unemployment insurance contributions; but no other deductions or exclusions from gross receipts shall be allowed except as provided in this article.
B.) A different basis for calculating the business licenses may be used with respect to certain categories of taxpayers as prescribed herein.
Full text of Business License Ordinance
RESTAURANTS AND/OR FOOD SALES BUSINESSES: Must include a copy of Health Department Certificate. All restaurants, convenience stores, pharmacies and retailers must provide a complete list of suppliers that deliver to your place of business. (Include name address and phone number)
CONTRACTORS: Must send a copy of current State Contractor’s License, and any certification pertinent to your field. General Contractors must be licensed by the State of Alabama Board of General Contractors. Home Builders and other contractors must be properly licensed or certified as required by law. All contractors must provide a list of all subcontractors and suppliers with contact information. (Including name, address and phone number)
TOWN BOUNDARIES
Berlin boundaries for licenses purchased in January 2024 – PDF
Berlin boundaries for licenses purchased in January 2024 – Shapefile
WE RECOMMEND OUR ONLINE FORM TO APPLY FOR BUSINESS LICENSES. Assistance is provided for calculating rate(s) based on the selected fee schedule(s). Multiple options are available for payment. Credit cards are among the options, subject to convenience fees as required by State law.
ONLINE TOWN OF BERLIN BUSINESS APPLICATION, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW.
https://app.civicreview.com/application/63487f619bc1a33ae21de919
APPLY BY MAIL: Click & print the form below that applies below.
2025 – TOWN OF BERLIN BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION – NEW
2025 – TOWN OF BERLIN BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION – RENEWAL
*You may contact the Town Clerk Keirstyn Montgomery at (256) 736-3138 or via email at clerk@berlinal.gov to receive a form by mail.
*Applications can also be completed at Berlin Town Hall during business hours located at 461 County Road 1615 Cullman, AL 35058.