Sales Tax & Business Licensing

The City of Centennial is a home rule City and has been collecting its own sales tax since January 1, 2009.

The Sales Tax Division is responsible for the administration, collection and enforcement of the City's sales and use tax. The Division processes tax returns, handles tax inquiries, collects delinquent taxes and conducts audits of businesses. The objectives of the program are to educate and inform businesses about the City’s laws and requirements and to create a culture of voluntary compliance from the business community.

Centennial tax and licensing laws may differ from those of other local jurisdictions and the State of Colorado.

The following pages include information that will be helpful to businesses inquiring about Centennial’s tax and licensing requirements:

Business Licensing FAQs

What kind of business is required to obtain a License/Registration?

Any entity or person operating a business within the City must obtain a City of Centennial Sales Tax License or Business Registration.

Business means trades, vocations, occupations, professions, enterprises and establishments and all other activities which are conducted for gain, financial profit, advantage, or benefit either directly or indirectly, any location in the city.

If a business is also required to have a Retail Sales Tax License, the Retail Sales Tax License serves as a Business Registration. A business is not required to obtain both licenses.

If a business is not required to have a Retail Sales Tax License and has a physical location in the City of Centennial, that business is required to have a Business Registration.

Since I'm required to obtain a business registration, what's in it for me?

The City’s Business Registration program is an important registration process that allows the City to know the number, type, location, and size of the businesses located in and doing business in the City. This information is used to provide important planning information to the City’s Community Development and Economic Development Departments. Long and short range planning uses this information to best serve the citizens and the existing businesses in the City.