The Denver Sales Tax Special Event Application / Registration is the packet the City and County of Denver Treasury Division uses to register vendors who sell at a special event in Denver and to collect the sales tax they owe afterward. It combines an application/registration page with the Special Event Tax Return, which must be filed even if no tax is due. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the packet itself is published by the City and County of Denver at denvergov.org, and the filing steps are described below.
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What is Denver Sales Tax Special Event Application / Registration – Denver, CO?
The Denver Sales Tax Special Event Application / Registration is the City and County of Denver Treasury Division packet that registers a vendor for a special event sales tax account and includes the Special Event Tax Return for reporting the tax after the event.
The packet has two parts. The application/registration page collects the vendor's trade name, contact details, the event name, location and dates, whether the vendor has ever had an active Denver Retail Sales Tax Account, and the nature of the business. The Special Event Tax Return then has three sections: Section A (taxpayer information), Section B (calculation of taxes due, lines 1 to 6) and Section C (signature).
The form explains what the account means. A special event account gives you the right and the obligation to collect taxes for the City of Denver, and those taxes are money you hold in trust and must account for and remit. A tax license is not a license to do business. Special event vendors do not receive a paper sales tax license: the Tax Compliance Section of the Denver Department of Finance registers the vendor and assigns an account reporting number.
This is a sales tax document, not a Denver property tax form. The Denver business tax FAQs say property tax is a different tax, payable to the County Treasurer every year on the valuation of the property.
Who needs to file Denver Sales Tax Special Event Application / Registration – Denver, CO?
Vendors who make retail sales at a special event in Denver and do not have a regular Denver sales tax account use this packet. A special event account is required if you are making retail sales, and the Denver business tax FAQs say a special event license applies to an event or endeavor that runs less than two weeks, such as a car show at the Coliseum or the People's Fair. It is valid only for that event.
Who does not need it:
- Vendors who already hold a current Denver sales tax license need no additional license or fee. They include sales made at the event in their regular sales tax return for that period.
- Events or endeavors lasting two weeks or longer require a regular Denver sales tax account instead.
- The Denver Merchandise Mart at 451 E 58th Ave #4270 is not within the municipal boundaries of the City and County of Denver. It lies in Adams County, so for tax information there contact the Adams County Sales Tax Department at 303-654-6300.
If you make no retail sales, the application asks you to say so in the nature-of-business space. The form names no representative or other person who may sign for the applicant.
When to file Denver Sales Tax Special Event Application / Registration – Denver, CO
The Special Event Tax Return is due, with payment, on the 20th of the month following the month of the event. A return must be filed even if no tax is due. If it is filed or paid after the due date, Section B adds a late filing penalty (line 4) and monthly interest (line 5), figured with the percentages printed on the form.
The application/registration comes first: it sets up the account you report under. The packet sets no separate registration deadline. The Denver FAQs say that if you did not receive a sales tax return from the event organizer, you can download this packet and call 720-913-9300 to get the correct account number and due date, which is generally the 20th of the month following the month of the event.
Documents you need
- Check or money order payable to "Manager of Finance" for the total due on line 6 of the Special Event Tax Return, included when you file the return by mail.
How to fill out Denver Sales Tax Special Event Application / Registration – Denver, CO
Enter your vendor information
On the application/registration page, fill in Trade Name/Vendor Name, Address, City, State, Zip and Email. Leave the box marked Office Use Only (Account Number, Show End Date, Tax Revenue Agent) blank.
Describe the event and owner
Enter Name of Event Attending, Location of Event, Date(s) of Event, Owner's Name, the Business and Home telephone numbers, and a Home Address if it differs from the mailing address.
Answer the Denver sales tax account question
Mark YES or NO for whether you now have or ever had an active Denver Retail Sales Tax Account. If yes, enter the account number; if no, the form says to register at www.denvergov.org/ebiztax.
State the nature of your business
Specify the type of product sold or services rendered and be specific about what you do. If you make no retail sales, indicate that.
Sign the application
Sign as applicant, then enter your title and the date. The signature certifies that the statements are true, correct and complete to the best of your knowledge.
Complete Section A of the return
On the Special Event Tax Return, enter the event name, event end date, trade name of business, owner name, full address, contact phone, your Denver sales tax account number if known, and your email.
Figure lines 1 and 2
Line 1: enter total retail sales other than taxable food and beverages and multiply by the percentage printed on the form. Line 2: enter taxable food and beverage sales and multiply by the percentage printed there. Round amounts to the nearest dollar.
Total the tax on line 3
Add lines 1 and 2 for the total tax due. Do not include taxes collected on behalf of the State of Colorado.
Add penalty and interest if late
If the return is filed or paid after the due date, use line 4 for the late filing penalty and line 5 for interest for each month or partial month late, as the form directs. Otherwise leave them empty.
Enter the total due on line 6
Add the amounts as the form directs and enter the result as the total due and payable. If you pay by check or money order, make it payable to the Manager of Finance.
Sign and date Section C
Sign, enter your title and the date in Section C. The signature is marked required.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check names, event dates and arithmetic, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Submit it through one of the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit Denver Sales Tax Special Event Application / Registration – Denver, CO
You can register and file online, or use the paper packet and mail the return with payment.
- Online: register for the account and file the return at https://www.denvergov.org/ebiztax by selecting "Register or File for Special Event".
- By mail: the return says to make the check or money order payable to "MANAGER OF FINANCE" and mail the completed return to: City and County of Denver, Department of Finance, Treasury Division, PO Box 660860, Dallas, TX 75266-0860. The return must be filed with payment by the 20th of the month following the event.
- Through the event organizer: Denver says to check with your sponsor or organizer for special event forms, since several organizers have arranged with the department to distribute them.
The packet's header lists the Treasury Division at Wellington Webb Bldg., 201 W Colfax Ave Dept. 403, Denver, CO 80202-5329, fax 720-913-9475. For help with the return, use www.denvergov.org/treasury or call 720-913-9446. No fee is charged for a special event license; the payment with the return is the tax due on line 6. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not filing the Special Event Tax Return because no tax is due; the return states that a return must be filed even if no tax is due.
- Leaving fields in Section A blank; the return says all fields must be completed, including the event name and event ending date.
- Including taxes collected on behalf of the State of Colorado in the total on line 3; the line covers Denver tax only.
- Making the check or money order payable to anyone other than the "Manager of Finance".
- Mailing the completed return somewhere other than PO Box 660860, Dallas, TX 75266-0860, the address printed on it.
- Filing or paying after the 20th of the month following the event without adding the late penalty (line 4) and interest (line 5).
- Entering amounts with cents; the return says to round all amounts to the nearest dollar.
- Signing neither Section C of the return nor the applicant signature on the application; the return marks the signature as required.
- Treating the Denver Merchandise Mart as a Denver location; it is in Adams County, and Adams County handles tax questions there.
- Waiting for a paper license; special event vendors do not receive one, only an assigned account reporting number.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Denver special event sales tax application?
It is the City and County of Denver Treasury Division packet that registers a vendor to collect Denver sales tax at a special event and includes the Special Event Tax Return used to report that tax afterward. A special event account carries the obligation to collect and remit the tax.
Is this a Denver property tax form?
No. This packet is for Denver sales tax on retail sales at special events. Denver's business tax FAQs state that property tax is a different tax, payable to the County Treasurer every year on the valuation of the property, so a sales tax filing does not satisfy it.
Do I need a special event license if I already have a Denver sales tax license?
No. A vendor with a current Denver sales tax license needs no additional license or fee and includes the event sales in the regular sales tax return for that period. Vendors without a regular Denver sales tax account need the special event account.
Is there a fee for a Denver special event license?
No. The packet says no fee is charged for a special event license. You still owe the sales tax on your taxable sales, which you report on the Special Event Tax Return and pay with the return.
When is the Denver special event tax return due?
On the 20th of the month following the month of the event, filed with payment. A return is required even if no tax is due. Late filing or payment adds the penalty and interest shown on lines 4 and 5 of the return.
Where do I mail the Denver special event tax return?
Mail it with a check or money order payable to "Manager of Finance" to City and County of Denver, Department of Finance, Treasury Division, PO Box 660860, Dallas, TX 75266-0860. You can also register and file online at denvergov.org/ebiztax.
Will I get a paper special event sales tax license?
No. Special event vendors do not receive a paper license. The Tax Compliance Section of the Denver Department of Finance registers the vendor on its tax system and assigns an account reporting number.
Does a special event license work for a long event?
Only for events under two weeks. A special event license is valid only for that event, and Denver says endeavors lasting two weeks or longer require a regular Denver sales tax account.
Can I fill out the Denver special event application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent, not connected to the City and County of Denver, and does not file the form; you register or file online with Denver or mail the return.
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