December 17, 2002
Master Business License Deadline Extended to May 31, 2003
(Washington, DC) The DC City Council voted today to extend the grace period for obtaining a Master Business License to May 31, 2003, for all individuals and organizations doing business in the District. The previous deadline was December 31, 2002, for businesses located in commercial establishments, and February 28, 2003, for home-based businesses. Businesses that required a license prior to this new law do not have a grace period and must already have a valid license. Those license categories include restaurants, hotels, apartments, home improvement contractors, parking lots, etc. that were licensed by Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) prior to implementation of the Master Business License and Registration (MBLR) program.
The grace period was extended through emergency legislation introduced by Councilmembers Sharon Ambrose (D-Ward 6) and Harold Brazil (D-At Large), the "Master Business Registration Delay Emergency Act of 2002." The threshold for obtaining a Master Business License remains $2,000 in annual gross receipts.
The MBLR is a new license program that is required under the Omnibus Regulatory Reform Act passed by the DC City Council in 1998. DCRA began implementation of the new program in August 2001. The law establishes that all segments of the business population -- for-profit and non-profit -- obtain a Master Business License if the business generates $2,000 or more in gross receipts. The law puts no limits on age or business activity type.
The extended grace period will go into effect immediately. In addition, beginning January 7, 2003, DCRA will implement new Master Business License fees that were enacted by Mayor Anthony Williams on December 4, 2002. The new fees will be $35 for the Master Business License and $10 for each endorsement, up from $25 and $5, respectively. The renewal fee will remain the same at $15.
For information on the MBLR program, visit the DCRA web site or contact the MBL Info Center at (202) 442-4311. Send emails to mbl.infocenter@dc.gov.
