Online business license renewal saves time and money

With 2009 Delaware business licenses expiring at the end of December, the Delaware Division of Revenue encourages those who have to renew their state business licenses this year to visit delaware.gov and renew online.

Renewal notices were mailed to license holders in November, though the paper renewal encourages licensees to begin filing online instead. Those who renew their Delaware business license online can immediately print a temporary business license from their desktop computer, which serves as proof of business operations in lieu of a permanent license. The online renewal service is also free and can be completed any time day or night. License fees can be paid using a credit or debit card.

“Renewing a state of Delaware business license online is convenient to taxpayers and saves the state money,” said Division of Revenue Director Patrick Carter, who estimates online renewals have helped Delaware save thousands in paper and processing costs in the past five years. Online renewals are processed by Revenue’s computer system and require no manual handling.

Currently, any business whose Delaware business license expires this December may opt to renew its 2010 business license online. This past year nearly 11,000 businesses took advantage of this convenient service, more than a 30 percent increase from the previous year. Still, although usage is growing, only slightly more than 20 percent of all business licenses have renewed online since the revenue department began offering the service in 2004.

Any business renewing a license this year may also elect a three-year business license, which additionally decreases future paperwork. Currently, more than 9,000 businesses have a three-year license that will expire this year. Three-year business licenses purchased for 2010 will remain valid through December 2012; renewal notices will not be sent for license years 2011 or 2012. Businesses will receive one license, valid through 2012, for all three years.

To renew a Delaware business license online, visit delaware.gov and use the search feature for business license renewals.