Business License Quarterly Taxes, Fees and Deadlines

Quarterly Mill and DID Taxes

In addition to the business license fee, you are responsible for paying your quarterly tax based off of your Gross Receipts per quarter.  You will receive a Declaration of Gross Receipts form from The City of Modesto quarterly to assist you in calculating the amount of tax due.

Mill Tax Rates

Businesses in downtown area will be responsible for additional DID tax. 
Business TypeRateSample Calculation
Commercial Retail Business.001 (1 mil)$5,000 Gross Receipts times .001 equals $5.00 ($5000*.001=$5)
Commercial Service Business.002 (2 mil)$5,000 Gross Receipts times .002 equals $10.00 ($5000*.002=$10)
Home Business .002 (2 mil)$5,000 Gross Receipts times .002 equals $10.00 ($5000*.002=$10)

Quarterly Tax Deadlines

Reporting Period EndingMonths ReportedTax Due Date
September 30thJuly, August, SeptemberOctober 31st
December 31stOctober, November, DecemberJanuary 31st
March 31stJanuary, February, MarchApril 30th
June 30thApril, May, JuneJuly 31st

DID (Downtown Improvement District) Tax 

Businesses in the downtown area of Modesto pay an additional tax to the Downtown Improvement District (DID). DID tax is calculated in the same manner as Mil tax except the tax rate is 1/2 of mil rate (.0005 for commercial retail and .001 for commercial service) and paid at the same time. A $1,500 cap per year applies to DID collections from each business.

Late Penalties  

A 5% penalty per month (up to a maximum of 25%) will be levied on the Mil tax, DID tax and license fee if payment is not paid in our office or postmarked by the post office by the Last Day to Pay.

Deposit Refunds

  • If gross receipts are filed quarterly, a refund may be requested after two (2) consecutive full fiscal quarters of operation are paid by due date, or
  • If gross receipts are filed annually, a refund may be requested after a full calendar year of operation.

To be eligible for the refund, all taxes and fees must be paid by the due date during the applicable time period. Refund requests must be made in writing.

If you cancel your license, the deposit will automatically be refunded after a final Declaration of Gross Receipts form is filed and all outstanding taxes and license fees paid. If you are past due three (3) quarters or more in paying your taxes, your deposit may be forfeited. View our municipal code for more information.