The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) is reaching out to 2,500 small businesses that have not filed a District franchise tax return claiming the Small Retailer Tax Credit. If an eligible small retailer did not claim the credit on its 2018 District franchise tax return, it is not too late to file a return claiming the credit. For 2019, the deadline to file a return is July 15, 2020.

The credit, of up to $5000, is available for tax years 2018 and 2019 to eligible small retailers who had a sales tax account with the Office of Tax and Revenue and federal gross receipts of $2.5 million or less during those years and are current on all District tax obligations.

Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Tax and Revenue Keith Richardson said, “We recognize the many hardships that businesses are currently enduring and we are trying to get every eligible business to apply for the Small Retailer Property Tax Relief Credit.”

“Qualified retail sales corporations and unincorporated businesses engaged may claim a refundable franchise tax credit based on the amount of real property taxes or rent paid for a qualified retail location in the District,” Richardson added.
To broaden participation, OTR continues to promote the credit to filers through its business partners, civic, and elected leaders and social media platforms.

To learn more about the tax credit visit https://otr.cfo.dc.gov/page/small-retailer-property-tax-relief-credit-frequently-asked-questions-faqs, call OTR’s Customer Service Telephone Center at (202) 727-4TAX (4829) or email [email protected], 8:15 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday.