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MBL Extension, Tax Rulings, District Brochures, & Contracting Programs
The DC Council extended 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, and parking lots 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 — the "Master Business Registration Delay Emergency Act of 2002" — introduced by Councilmembers Sharon Ambrose (D-Ward 6) and Harold Brazil (D-At Large). 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 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 nonprofit — 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 went 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 MBLR or contact the MBLR Info Center at (202) 442-4311. Send emails to mbl.infocenter@dc.gov.
2. New Tax Rulings Released The District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) has released new guidance on the taxation of hotel services, food, and medical equipment and the issue of nexus in the District of Columbia. The four new "General Guidance Charts" are the result of OTR's efforts over the past six months to review past tax rulings and improve its ruling process. The new process combines the publication of general guidance on select topics on OTR's website with the traditional method of providing letter rulings when requested to do so by taxpayers. These new "General Guidance Charts" are available at Tax Law and Regulations for review and download. For clarifications regarding a District tax statute, please send Janet James-Mahon a detailed email at Janet.James@dc.gov or call (202) 442-6508.
3. Brochures Describe Selling Points of District Markets The Washington, DC Marketing Center produces a variety of marketing materials designed to attract new business to Washington. These communication pieces provide valuable statistics, facts and resources — helpful information to any business interested in the economic development of Washington. Market segment sheets were designed to highlight key selling points for the District as well as specific market segments that comprise the DC economy. These materials were designed to complement the Center's 18 existing marketing pieces on Washington's neighborhoods and business improvement districts and will become part of the comprehensive packet for business recruitment and retention efforts. The marketing pieces illustrate the major trends occurring during economic resurgence the city has been experiencing since 1997, including:
Future production will include sheets on the DC workforce, cultural amenities, associations, financial institutions and many others. For more information or to request a marketing packet, please contact the Washington, DC Marketing Center at (202) 638-7333.
4. District Continues to Seek Small Businesses as Vendors Launched in July of 2002, the District of Columbia Supply Schedule Program (DCSS) is the city's multimillion dollar, multiple award schedule procurement program for certified local, small and disadvantaged business enterprises (LSDBEs). DCSS establishes wide visibility and extensive business opportunities for the city's LSDBEs. Currently, the Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) has awarded 57 contracts valued at $284 million under the program. Further, OCP has marked the DCSS as a "first source vehicle" for purchasing goods and services on behalf of the 60 District government agencies it supports. Under the program, LSDBE contractors not only have the opportunity to leverage their DCSS contracts to accomplish District government work, but also may avail their DCSS contracts to the surrounding Metropolitan jurisdictions for increased local economic development. For more information about the DCSS, certified LSDBEs may contact OCP Chief Contracting Officer Jonathan R. Butler at jonathan.butler@dc.gov or (202) 727-0252. Visit the OCP website at and click "DC Supply Schedule."
5. DC Business Tools Available
Submit Feedback to brc.alert@dc.gov
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