Business Types - No Registration Required

Types of Exempt Businesses

Certain business types are exempt from needing a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC).  If your business falls under any of these categories, you do not need to apply for a BTRC.

Airlines

  1. Airlines-passenger/interstate air freight for businesses that deal in air commerce, which includes the transportation of passengers or property only

Bail Bonds

  1. Licensed bail bond agents/companies
  

Financial Institutions and Insurance

  1. Financial Institutions (Banks, Savings/Loans, etc.) for which "in lieu" taxes are paid to the State of California
  2. Credit Unions
  3. Insurance agents receiving a notice of appointment from insurance companies that pay "in lieu" taxes to the State of California (does not include insurance brokers)
  4. Insurers - activities for which "in lieu" taxes are paid to the State of California
  

Government Institutions or Activities

  1. Constitutionally exempt businesses, such as state government institutions
  2. Government Agencies while carrying out governmental affairs
  3. Court reporting/transcribing services performed under the control of a court of competent jurisdiction are treated like employees of the court

Not-For-Profit Businesses

  1. Non-profit businesses that qualify for 501 C3 exemptions with the Federal and State governments MUST apply for an exemption. To apply, click on the form below:

Business Tax Exemption Form

Notaries Public

  1. Notaries appointed by the State government
  

"No Nexus" Businesses

  1. Businesses with a physical presence within the City of los Angeles limited to six (6) or less days per calendar year

Real Estate and Rentals

  1. Persons who rent three (3) or fewer residential rental units
  2. Real estate agent (does not include real estate broker) 


LAMC 21.49

     

    Religious Business Activity

    1. Religious leaders in their religious capacity

    Residential Care

    1. Residential care facility for the elderly, which serves six or fewer residents
    2. Small family day care home, which serves eight or fewer children

    State Colleges and State Universities

    1. Public Universities and Colleges affiliated with the State of California or any other state within the U.S.

    Transportation Persons for Hire

    1. Charter Party Limousines where the business address must be out of the City of Los Angeles(vehicle must be a limousine or luxury sedan only, seating capacity of no more than nine(9) including the driver)
    2. Taxicabs must have a franchise granted by the City Department of Transportation

    Persons operating vehicles that meet all of the following:

     - Operated exclusively between fixed termini or over regular routes in passenger stage operations

     - Operated as indicated above under certificate issued by the Public Utilities Commission, AND

     - Operation has been issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity by the Interstate Commerce Commission

    LAMC 21.194

     

    Trucking and Hauling

    1. Persons in the business as for hire motor carrier of property required to pay a fee to the State under the Household Goods Carriers Uniform Business License Tax Act or the Motor Carriers of Property Uniform Fee Act

    LAMC 21.195