Finance Frequently Asked Questions
Can my special taxes/assessments be pre-paid?
If your special taxes or assessments are tied to repayment of bonds, you may pre-pay them.
For information regarding pre-payment contact Muni Financial at 1.866.807.6864.
What does Mello-Roos pay for?
Mello-Roos taxes pay for public improvements and services. For example, Mello-Roos funds local:
- Police
- Fire
- Library
- Schools
- Recreation
- Flood Control
- Maintenance of Parks, Parkways & Open Space
Are there any exemptions to the business license requirements?
The business license tax does not apply to any person or business that has been exempted from such taxes by State or Federal laws. Several other exemptions exist.
Any business conducting charitable, non-profit or educational activities would be exempt from this tax if the net proceeds of the business were a gift and would qualify as a charitable deduction under Section 172214 of the State Revenue and Taxation Code. Charitable organizations may also be exempt from paying a business license tax to conduct events such as dances, concerts, exhibits and lectures. Honorably discharged disabled veterans whose physical conditions make them unable to earn livings through manual labor are exempt from paying this tax if they are engaged in itinerant vending or soliciting.
If the only business activity in the City is a contract with the City for professional or consulting services, no business license tax must be paid. If an individual is drawing Social Security benefits and the gross receipts of this individual’s business do not exceed the maximum income allowed by Federal law, no business license taxes must be paid. While these types of business are exempt from the business license tax, they must still acquire a business license and pay the application fee or any other applicable fees.
Are there penalties if I do not pay for my business license on time?
You will have thirty days from the expiration of your license to renew before any penalties are assessed. After that time, a 10% penalty will be assessed and this penalty will increase by 10% each subsequent month. In no event will the total penalties exceed 50% of the business license tax due.
Can I pay a city bill online?
No. The City currently accepts cash, check or money order, by mail or in person, for all payments.
Can I pay property taxes online?
Contact the Placer County Tax Collector’s Office at 530.889.4120.
Do I need a license to work from home?
If you are an employee of a company and telecommute or occasionally work at home, you do not need a City of Rocklin business license.
If you have your own home-based business in Rocklin, you will need a:
- City of Rocklin Business License
- Home Business Permit
You may also need a:
- Fictitious Business Name Statement
- Seller’s Permit
For additional information, see the Business License section.
Do I need a State Seller’s Permit?
If your business intends to sell tangible goods, you may require a California Seller’s Permit. Contact the Board of Equalization for additional information.
Do I need to file a Fictitious Name Statement?
If your business name does not include your surname or has more than one owner – a partnership, association or company – you may need to file a fictitious business name statement with the Placer County Clerk’s Office. Visit the Placer County Clerk website or contact them via phone at 530.886.5600.
How do I transfer my business license to a new owner?
The new owner will need to obtain a new City of Rocklin business license. See the Business License section for more information.
Once the sale of your business is complete, please notify the Finance and Budget Department that you are no longer doing business. Contact them at 916.625.5020.
How does Mello-Roos work?
Mello-Roos gives districts timely access to financing through the sale of bonds. The Mello-Roos tax pays back the principle & interest on those bonds.
How long is a business license valid?
The length of time your business license will be valid varies depending on the type of business you own. Certain types of businesses are permitted to obtain a business license for a period of less than 12 months, while other businesses must purchase a license for a full year. For those businesses that are charged a business license tax based on the business gross receipts, the license will expire on June 30th of each year.
How long will it take to get a business license?
Once you have completed and submitted all of the required forms and have paid the appropriate fees, you will receive, by mail, a permanent copy of your license within approximately 10 business days.
How much does a business license cost?
The cost of the license is dependant on the type of business that you are operating.
To determine the total cost of the business license application process, see the Business License section.
I am opening a restaurant. What permits and licenses do I need?
You will need a:
- City of Rocklin Business License
- Certificate of Occupancy
You may also need a:
- Fictitious Business Name Statement
- See the Business License section for more information.
For questions or information regarding zoning, contact the Planning Department at 916.625.5160.
For questions or information regarding building permits, contact the Building Department at 916.625.5120.
You should also contact the Placer County Health Department at 530.889.7141.
I am opening a retail store. What business permits do I need?
You will need a:
- City of Rocklin Business License
- Certificate of Occupancy
You may also need a:
- Fictitious Business Name Statement
- State Seller’s Permit
See the Business License section for more information.
For information or questions regarding zoning, contact the Planning Department at 916.625.5160.
For information or questions regarding building permits, contact the Building Department at 916.625.5120.
I am starting a new business… what licenses do I need?
You must obtain a City of Rocklin business license if you are planning on opening a business located in the City of Rocklin, or doing business with the City limits.
Depending on your business, you may also need a:
- Certificate of Occupancy
- Home Business Permit
- Fictitious Business Name Statement
- State Seller’s Permit
See the Business License section for more information.
I have a question about a bill from the city.
Contact the Finance and Budget Department at 916.625.5020.
I have a question about my Federal Taxes.
Contact the Internal Revenue Service at 800.829.1040 FREE.
I have a question about my property or real estate taxes.
Contact the Placer County Assessor’s Office at 530.889.4300.
I have a question about my State Taxes.
Contact the Franchise Tax Board at 800.852.5711 FREE.
I want a copy of the city budget.
You can get a copy of the city budget from the Finance and Budget Department or download it online in the City Budgets section.
I want to buy a City vehicle at auction.
The City currently sends surplus goods to auction for disposal. Auctions are held by www.GovDeals.com/Rocklin and www.1stcapitolauction.com.
For information regarding what and when the City of Rocklin will be sending surplus to auction, contact the City’s Fleet Division at 916.625.5040.
I want to buy property in the City of Rocklin. How much will the special taxes/assessments be?
For information on special districts and current taxes/assessments for a specific parcel within the City of Rocklin (as well as any applicable maximum tax for the current period), contact Muni Financial at 1-866-807-6864.
I want to sell goods or services at an event in the city.
You will need a City of Rocklin business license. See the Business License section for more information.
I want to transfer my business license to a new owner.
The new owner will need to obtain a new City of Rocklin business license. See the Business License section for more information.
Once the sale of your business is complete, please notify the Finance and Budget Department that you are no longer doing business. You may contact them at 916.625.5020.
If I get a Rocklin Business License, will I still need to get a business license from another City or County?
You will need to contact any other Cities or Counties in which you will be doing business to obtain information regarding their business license ordinance requirements.
If my business license is still valid, but I am no longer doing business in Rocklin, may I receive a refund?
Only those businesses whose business license tax is based on the businesses gross receipts may apply for a refund. These types of refunds are only processed after June 30th of each year and the business owner must request a refund of any overpayment of the prior year’s taxes in writing.
What do I need to do to obtain my business license?
To obtain a business license, several forms must be completed and submitted and all appropriate fees must be paid. The types of forms and the amount of the fees vary based on the type business and location of the business. You can download the appropriate forms in the Business License section.
What happens if I am no longer conducting business in Rocklin?
If you are no longer conducting business in Rocklin and your business is no longer based in Rocklin, please notify the Finance and Budget Department at 916.625.5020.
What happens if I don’t get a business license?
Failure to obtain a business license is a misdemeanor.
What happens if I lose my business license?
If you misplace your business license you may contact the Finance and Budget Department at 916.625.5020 to have a second copy of the license mailed to you or you may come to our office location to obtain a second copy. A $5 fee is charged for such replacements.
What is a business license?
A business license is not intended for regulation. It is an annual tax for doing business within the city limits of Rocklin and the revenues raised through these taxes are used for municipal purposes.
The City of Rocklin municipal code requires that you obtain a license when you conduct any business activity within the City even if your business is located outside the city limits or you have a business license from another city.
Any business based in the City must have a license as well. This includes home based businesses, building contractors, and independent contractors.
What is Mello-Roos?
Mello-Roos refers to district areas. Property owners in these districts pay a special tax that goes toward public facilities & services.
What licenses do I need to start a business?
You must obtain a City of Rocklin business license if you are planning on opening a business located in the City of Rocklin, or doing business within the City’s limits.
Depending on your business, you may also need a:
- fictitious business name statement
- state seller’s permit
- home business permit
- certificate of occupancy
- business license from another city or county
Find out what you need for your Business License.
When did Mello-Roos start? Where did it come from?
Finding funding for local public facilities & services is daunting. Senator Henry Mello and Assemblyman Mike Roos proposed the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982, which gave California local governments access to community funding. Today, we abbreviate the name to “Mello-Roos.”
When does my Mello-Roos expire?
Not all Mello-Roos taxes have an expiration date.
Some Mello-Roos taxes fund ongoing maintenance, fire and/or ambulance services, etc. These do not expire unless an expiration date was approved when the district was formed.
Some Mello-Roos taxes are used to pay for improvements like roads, sanitary sewage systems, etc. If the improvements are financed with bond proceeds, the bonds will have a specific maturity date. This is typically referred to as the “expiration” date.
You can find out if/when your Mello-Roos special taxes expire by comparing the line items on your Placer County tax bill with the appropriate Community Facilities District, listed on our website, and note any expiration date.
Where can I get information about the Rocklin Unified School District Community Facility Districts 1 and 2 listed on my Placer County Property Tax bill?
Contact the Rocklin Unified School District at 916.624.2428.
Where do I apply for a business license?
The Finance and Budget Department issues business licenses. Contact them at 916.625.5020.
Also see the Business License section for more information.
Who do I contact about my water, electricity, or gas bill?
The Utilities page lists common utilities in Rocklin, including contact information.
Why is Mello-Roos on my Placer County tax bill?
If you own real property in a Community Facilities District, you incur the Mello-Roos tax.
Will I receive renewal notifications if my business license is about to expire?
Yes.
Will the Mello-Roos tax increase?
It can. The tax may also decrease. - consult your specific Community Facilities District for more information.