TAXES AND LICENSES
A. Business Taxes State law requires that all businesses (with exceptions for certain professions, manufacturers, and disabled persons) inside the City of Decherd have both city and county business licenses. A simple form is completed on each business and a fee of $15.00 for the issue of the initial business license is levied. Business taxes, unlike property taxes, are not based on an assessment performed by a government agency. Business taxes are assessed against the gross receipts during a certain time period. Each year, gross receipts reporting forms are sent to all licensed businesses in a specific class. The business owner must file gross receipts figures, take certain deductions allowed and figured the tax owed.
Payments can be made by cash, personal check, or money order. You can conduct business tax matters at the City Hall between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Business tax information supplied to the city is confidential in accordance with state law. The city cannot give this information to anyone other than the business owner or his/her authorized agent unless the records are under subpoena by a court.
B. Beef Permits and Liquor License The sale of alcoholic beverages is regulated by state and local laws. Beer permit applications may be picked up at City Hall. When returned the application must be accompanied by a $250 fee that is non-refundable. A background check will be made by the Police Chief. Applications for liquor-by-the-drink may also be obtained from City Hall.
The beer permit applicant must appear before the Beer Board for consideration of their request for a beer permit. The application process can be lengthy so applicants should apply well before opening their business or purchasing an existing business.
Beer permits are not transferable and a new owner cannot operate under a previous owner's license. Stocking beer (actually holding beer on property you own or operate) without a beer permit is a violation of the beer permit law and could result in denial of an application for a permit. Beer permits are due on January 1 each year and are $100. Failure to renew a beer permit within the first month can result in denying a permit. New beer permits are appropriated according to the time issued.
Liquor-by-the-drink licenses are authorized by the State Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Local Business will pay the same annual fee for the local license as the state license.
For information on either a beer permit or liquor license, call the City Hall at (931) 967-5181.
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Decherd Business License
To Register for Business License in the City of Decherd
Download the Form to the Right
Dill the form out completely.
Dring $15.00 to the Decherd City Hall
or
Mail the Application and Monies to:
Decherd City Hall
1301 W. Main St.
Decherd, TN 37324
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New Business license form |
C. Property Tax
Property taxes are the main source of funding for the city's many services and programs. Taxes are due on October 1 and will be considered delinquent and subject to penalty and interest charges of (6.5%) percent each month beginning March 1 of each year. Payments by cash, personal checks, or money orders are accepted. If a receipt is needed, please send the tax office a self addressed stamped envelope. Property taxes may be paid at the City Hall or mailed to P. O. Box 488. Checks and money orders should be made out to the City of Decherd. Property taxes may be paid between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the City Hall located at 1301 West Main Street.
The property tax roll is assessed by the Franklin County Property Tax Assessor. The city does not appraise property. The city tax roll is based on records maintained by the Franklin County Property Tax Assessor.
If payment of pro-rated taxes is included and assigned to either the buyer or seller at the closing, the seller should know whose responsibility it is to pay the taxes and check to be sure the taxes are paid. Agreements between the buyer and seller have no effect on the city's obligation to collect taxes. The legal obligation to pay property taxes rest with the property owner and shall remain with the ownership of the property.
Questions regarding the appraised value of property should be directed to the Franklin County Assessor of Property Office in the Court House or you may call (931) 967- 3869. The 2007-property tax rate for the City of Decherd is $.7875 per each $100 of assessed value.
Partial payment of property tax is not accepted Residential property is assessed at 25 percent of the appraised value and taxes are levied on each $100 of assessed value at a rate of $1.00. The assessment rate on commercial property is 40 percent of appraised value, personal property assessed at 30 percent of appraised value and public utilities assessed at 55 percent (or 40 percent for real estate) of appraised value. D. State Property Tax Aid The city participates in a State of Tennessee program that helps elderly and disabled citizens below certain income guidelines pay their property taxes. Generally a person may qualify for state property tax aid for the tax year if:
You owned and lived in your home in Tennessee, if your combined 2007 income was $24,000 or less, and if you were age 65 or older before December 31, 2007
You are a 100% totally and permanently disabled veteran from a service connected disability resulting in paraplegia or paralysis of both legs and lower body;
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You are a 100% totally and permanently disabled veteran from combat related causes or from being a prisoner of war for five months or longer; You are a widow or widower of a disabled veteran that could otherwise qualify; You were totally and permanently disabled as rated by the Social Security Administration on or before December 31, 2007
If any of the above criteria applies, contact the Franklin County Trustee office to see if you will qualify for state tax aid.
Common Errors to Avoid When Paying Property Tax The City of Decherd's property taxes should be paid directly to the city at 1301 West Main Street, P. O. Box 488, Decherd, Tennessee 37324. Paying base tax when penalty and interest are due. Paying incorrect amount for multiple properties due to error in addition, Not signing check. Sending city payments to the county and vice versa. Paying current tax year when delinquent taxes are due as the city is required by state law to apply payments to the oldest tax owed.
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