TIP # 03A01-07
DATE ISSUED: November 12, 2003

ESTIMATED SALES TAX FOR BUSINESSES WITH MULTIPLE LOCATIONS USING THE SAME TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

Your total sales and use tax payments, for all sales and use tax accounts (included at the end of this document), that have the same Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Social Security Number (SSN), reached $200,000 for the period July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003. Dealers who paid sales and use tax in excess of $200,000 for the previous state fiscal year are required by Florida law to make estimated sales tax payments. You are required to make estimated sales tax payments for each of these accounts beginning with your December 2003 return. These estimated payments are for the January 2004 collection period.

Also, beginning January 2004, you must file returns and remit tax payments for sales and use tax, as well as solid waste and surcharge (if applicable), by electronic means. Therefore, you must:

• Make estimated sales and use tax payments beginning with your December 2003 returns;
• Remit sales and use tax payments (and solid waste and surcharge payments) by electronic means beginning with your January 2004 returns; and
• File sales and use tax returns (and solid waste and surcharge returns) by electronic means beginning with your January 2004 returns.

Estimated Payments

Your first 2004 estimated tax payment(s) is reported on Line 9 of your December 2003 return(s). This return(s) is due on January 1, 2004, and is late after January 20, 2004. If you are currently paying by electronic means, your payments must be initiated on or before Friday, January 16, 2004, 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time (ET). (January 19 is a federal holiday.)

You will record the estimated tax payment(s) made on the December 2003 return(s) (Line 9) as a credit on Line 8 of your January 2004 return(s). You must continue to make estimated tax payment(s) on each return throughout 2004.

Three Methods for Computing Estimated Tax

The percentage factor for calculating estimated tax is 60%. Your estimated tax liability is based only on Florida sales and use tax due (From DR-15, Line 7, Total Tax Due minus discretionary sales surtax). Note: If you calculate incorrectly or forget to enter your estimated tax, you cannot amend your return. Compute your estimated tax liability by one of the following methods:

Method 1

Calculate 60% of your average sales tax liability for those months during the previous calendar year that you reported taxable transactions.

Example: When completing your December 2003 return, calculate your average sales tax liability for the 2003 calendar year. To calculate your average, complete the following steps:

Method 2

Calculate 60% of your sales tax collected during the same month of the previous calendar year.

Example: When completing your December 2003 return, look at your January 2003 return and multiply the amount from Line 7 (minus discretionary sales surtax) by 60%. Enter that amount on Line 9.

Method 3

Calculate 60% of the tax collected for the collection period following this return.

Example: When completing your December 2003 return, your estimated tax liability is 60% of what you will collect (minus discretionary sales surtax) for the January 2004 return. Enter that amount on Line 9.

Note: If you correctly calculate your estimated tax using one of the three methods described above, you will not be assessed a penalty for underpayment of estimated tax. Dealers are NOT required to use only one method and may elect to use any one of these methods throughout the year.

Consolidated Filing Method

Dealers who operate two or more places of business that report through a central office or location are eligible to file a consolidated return. When filing a consolidated return with supporting documentation for each location, only one electronic initiation and payment is necessary. If you would like to begin filing a consolidated return, please submit an Application for Consolidated Sales and Use Tax Filing Number (Form DR-1CON) to be issued a consolidated account number. You will need the consolidated account number prior to enrolling for e-Services.

Penalty for Underpayment of Estimated Tax

If you underpay your estimated tax, a "specific" penalty of 10% is due on the underpaid amount. This penalty is added to the late filing penalty.

New Penalty Rate for Late Filing

The penalty structure for sales and use tax and solid waste and surcharges changed as of July 1, 2003, due to legislation that passed in the 2003 session. Under the new law, if a taxpayer files a late return, or is late in paying the tax due on a return, a late penalty of 10% of the amount of tax or fee or a minimum of $50, whichever is greater, will be assessed. The $50 minimum penalty applies even if no tax is due.

Interest

If your payment is late, interest is owed on the amount due. Florida law provides a floating rate of interest for payments of taxes and fees due, including discretionary sales surtax. The floating rate of interest is established using the formula in Section 213.235, F.S., and is updated on January 1 and July 1 each year. To obtain interest rates, contact the Department.

References: Sections 212.11, 212.12, and 213.755, Florida Statutes

FOR MORE INFORMATION