Apply for a Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate (Spanish) is the Spanish-language application that the City of Fresno Finance Department, Business Tax Division, publishes for lodging businesses that must collect Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). It is one of the City of Fresno business tax forms, and it is meant for a new hotel or a change of ownership. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. The original PDF and the City's explanation of the process are published by the City of Fresno.
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What is Apply for a Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate (Spanish) – Fresno, CA?
Apply for a Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate (Spanish) is the Spanish-language version of the City of Fresno application that lodging businesses use to obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate from the Finance Department's Business Tax Division.
The City lists it under the "New Hotel / Change of Ownership" heading of its Transient Occupancy Tax section, next to an English version of the same application and a separate link for Transient Occupancy Tax renewal. According to the City, a lodging property that hosts any person for 30 consecutive days or less collects the Transient Occupancy Tax and the Tourism Business Improvement District Tax (TBID) from the guest and remits them to the City.
Some things this page is not about:
- It is not a property tax form. TOT is a tax on short stays at lodging properties.
- It is not the Short Term Rental (STR) Permit. The City has separate STR applications, and an STR permit holder is responsible for collecting and paying TOT.
- It is not the renewal. The City provides a separate Transient Occupancy Tax renewal link.
Two exemption forms also appear in the same section of the City's page: the 30 Day Consecutive Days TOT Form and the Government Exemptions Form. Those are separate documents.
Who needs to file Apply for a Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate (Spanish) – Fresno, CA?
Owners of lodging businesses in the City of Fresno that host guests for 30 consecutive days or less use this application when they open a new hotel or take over an existing one, because those properties collect TOT from guests and remit it to the City. The City addresses this section to "New Hotel / Change of Ownership."
Related situations from the City's page:
- Short-term rental hosts must obtain an STR Permit and are responsible for collecting and paying TOT. They apply for the STR Permit with the separate Short Term Rental Permit Application and Short Term Rental Supplemental Application. An STR owner who rents space for less than 31 days in a year is not liable for TOT.
- Guests who qualify as permanent residents, meaning they have the right to occupy a room for at least 30 consecutive days, are exempt from TOT from the 31st day on. They must tell the hotel of their intent to stay longer than 30 days before or at check-in.
- Government officers or employees on official business, not personal use, can claim an exemption by giving the hotel documentation such as letterhead, an e-mail, an ID badge or a copy of an itinerary.
If you already hold a certificate and need to renew it, use the City's Transient Occupancy Tax renewal link, not this application.
When to file Apply for a Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate (Spanish) – Fresno, CA
Apply when you open a new lodging business in the City of Fresno or when the ownership of an existing hotel changes; the City places this application under the "New Hotel / Change of Ownership" heading. The City's page sets no separate calendar deadline for this application.
For a new business, the City says you must first obtain an approved Zone Clearance from the Planning Division, and you must provide that document when you apply for a business tax certificate. Late compliance may result in penalty fees, according to the City's new business checklist. Call the Business Tax Division at (559) 621-6880 to confirm timing for your situation.
Renewals are handled through the separate Transient Occupancy Tax renewal link and do not use this application.
Documents you need
- Approved Zone Clearance document from the City of Fresno Planning Division: the City says you must provide it when you apply for a business tax certificate for a new business.
How to fill out Apply for a Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate (Spanish) – Fresno, CA
Confirm you need the certificate
Check that your property hosts guests for 30 consecutive days or less and that you are opening a new hotel or changing ownership. Renewals and short-term rental permits use different documents.
Obtain your Zone Clearance first
Contact the Planning Division at Fresno City Hall, 2600 Fresno St, Room 3043, to get an approved Zone Clearance. Keep the document, because you must provide it with the application.
Open the Spanish application
Use the Spanish-language version of the form on this page. The City also publishes an English version of the same application.
Enter the business and owner details
Complete each field the form requests about your lodging business and its owner or owners. Use the exact legal names and addresses you use with the City.
Give accurate and complete information
Do not leave requested fields blank or alter the wording of the form. The City warns that modified or incomplete information may delay your request.
Know the exemption forms are separate
The 30 Day Consecutive Days TOT Form and the Government Exemptions Form are different documents. Do not use them in place of this application.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble it with your Zone Clearance and submit it through one of the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit Apply for a Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate (Spanish) – Fresno, CA
The City's page describes three ways to apply for a business tax certificate: online, by mail with the printable application, and in person at the Business Tax Division counter. The page does not name a channel for this specific Spanish application, so confirm with the Division before sending it.
- Phone: Customer Service, (559) 621-6880.
- In person: City of Fresno Business Tax Division, 2600 Fresno Street, First Floor, Room 1096, Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The office closes at 3:00 p.m. on the third Friday.
- Mail: the City lists this address for the division: City of Fresno, Finance Department, Business Tax Divisions, 2600 Fresno Street, First Floor, Room 1096, Fresno Ca 93721.
In every case, be ready to provide your approved Zone Clearance document.
Payment: the City says you can pay by check by mail or by check or cash in person without extra charges. Card payments carry a convenience fee collected by the card processor, and an E-check option exists for business tax renewals. The page does not give an amount for this certificate, so ask the Business Tax Division.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the City channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying before obtaining an approved Zone Clearance; the City says it is required before you apply for a Tax Certificate and must be provided with the application.
- Submitting incomplete or modified information; the City warns this may cause delays or stop it from approving your request to conduct business.
- Using this application to renew; the City has a separate Transient Occupancy Tax renewal link.
- Using this application for a short-term rental; the STR Permit has its own Short Term Rental Permit Application and Supplemental Application.
- Charging TOT on the 31st day and beyond to a permanent resident who stated intent to stay longer than 30 days before or at check-in; that stay is exempt from the 31st day.
- Accepting a government exemption for personal travel; it applies only to officers or employees on official business, with documentation.
- Assuming a card payment carries no extra cost; the City says a convenience fee applies to credit and debit cards.
- Waiting to contact the Business Tax Division after beginning operations; the City says late compliance may result in penalty fees.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate application?
It is the City of Fresno application that lodging businesses use to obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate. The City lists it for a new hotel or a change of ownership, and this page covers the Spanish-language version; an English version also exists.
Is this a Fresno property tax form?
No. The form is about Transient Occupancy Tax, which lodging properties collect from guests staying 30 consecutive days or less and remit to the City. If you are looking for Fresno property tax information, this application is not the document.
Who has to collect Transient Occupancy Tax in Fresno?
Lodging businesses that have any person staying 30 consecutive days or less collect TOT and the Tourism Business Improvement District Tax (TBID) from the guest and remit both to the City. Short-term rental permit holders are also responsible for collecting and paying TOT.
Do I need a Zone Clearance before applying?
Yes, for a new business. The City says you need an approved Zone Clearance from the Planning Division before you apply for a City of Fresno Tax Certificate, and you must provide that document when you apply.
Who is exempt from Transient Occupancy Tax?
The City names two exemptions: permanent residents, from the 31st day of occupancy if they state their intent to stay over 30 days at or before check-in, and government officers or employees on official business, with documentation. Each has its own form.
Where do I submit the Fresno TOT certificate application?
The City describes online, mail and in-person options for business tax certificate applications; the in-person counter is the Business Tax Division, 2600 Fresno Street, First Floor, Room 1096. For this specific application, confirm the channel by calling (559) 621-6880.
Can I fill out this Fresno form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the application to the City; you send it through the City's channels.
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