DR 15 N
DR 15 N
DR 15 N
DR-15
DR-15N R. 01/12
Rule 12A-1.097 Florida Administrative Code Effective 01/12
Check this box if you transmitted your payment electronically. (Avoid making errors by filing and paying electronically.)
Mailing address on tax return Return envelopes with windows (see page 2)
www.myflorida.com/dor
Due Dates, Electronic Filing and Payment, and Other Filing Information
Due Dates: Tax returns and payments are due on the 1st and late after the 20th day of the month following each collection period. If the 20th falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or state or federal holiday, your tax return must be received electronically, postmarked, or hand-delivered on the first business day following the 20th. Due Dates for Initiating Electronic Payments: You must initiate electronic payments no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the business day prior to the 20th. You must send electronic payments on or before the initiation deadlines. (Check the Calendar of Due Dates, Form DR-659.) Keep the confirmation/trace number or acknowledgement in your records. Zero Returns/Telefile Option: You must file a tax return for each collection period, even if no tax is due. If no tax is due, enter 0 on Line 14, Amount Due with Return. Or, if you are not claiming any deductions or credits, you may telefile by calling 800-550-6713. Telefile is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and when you telefile, you do not need to mail your paper return. Keep the confirmation number for your records. Penalty and Interest: Avoid penalty and interest by filing your return and paying tax on time for each collection period. The easiest way to avoid most filing/payment errors is to file and pay your tax electronically. Electronic Filing and Payment: You can file and pay sales and use tax by using the Departments convenient, free, and secure Internet site or you may purchase software from an approved vendor. You may voluntarily file and pay tax electronically; however, taxpayers who paid $20,000 or more in sales and use tax during the most recent state fiscal year (July through June) are required to file and pay tax electronically during the next calendar year (January through December). Enroll to file and pay electronically: Visit the Departments Internet site at www.myflorida.com/dor. After you complete your electronic enrollment, additional information about electronic filing will be mailed to you. Vendor software: You may purchase software from an approved vendor to file and pay sales and use tax electronically (software often includes additional features). While you may use purchased software to file your sales and use tax electronically, you may not use software to create paper (alternative or substitute) returns to file with the Department. If you use vendor software to prepare a tax calculation worksheet, do NOT file the worksheet with the Department as a tax return. To ensure proper credit to your account, be sure to transfer information from the worksheet to your personalized return. Amended returns: Your return or coupon book includes payment coupons marked Taxpayer Copy for you to keep copies of the returns you file. You can also use the Taxpayer Copy as an original return or an amended return, if needed; just be sure to use the correct collection period when filing.
To amend a return: If you discover that your original return was incorrect, you must complete and send an amended return: Use your Taxpayer Copy of the DR-15 return that comes in your coupon book or download a blank return from our Internet site. Use the return printed with the same collection period as the return that needs to be amended. If using a blank return, be sure to include your certificate number, collection period, business name, and address. Write AMENDED on the return you use (see example). Enter the correct information on Lines 1-21 and adjust Line 14 to include your additional payment or credit.
The amended return may result in an overpayment of tax or additional tax due. You must pay any additional tax due with the amended return. If you overpay, we will issue you a credit memo after we approve and process your amended return. Checks or Money Orders (NO Cash): Tax payments must be in U.S. funds only. Do not send cash in the mail. Make checks or money orders payable to the Florida Department of Revenue. Write your complete sales and use tax certificate number on your check or money order. If you must make a cash payment, hand deliver it to your nearest service center and obtain a dated receipt. Keep records that support all transactions in each collection period for at least three years from the date you file your return or the date it is required to be filed, whichever is later. Mailing Your Returns: Window-style envelopes are provided for you to use when mailing us your returns and payments. When you mail your return, be sure to place it in the envelope so the Departments mailing address can be seen in the window of the envelope. If you use a return without your business information preprinted on it, write your business name, address, certificate number, and collection period in the spaces provided. If you do not have a return envelope, mail your return and payment to: Florida Department of Revenue 5050 W Tennessee St Tallahassee FL 32399-0120
To replace lost or damaged preprinted returns or coupon books, contact Taxpayer Services or your nearest service center.
Account Changes
If you change your business name, location or mailing address, or close or sell your business, immediately notify the Department. The quickest way to notify us of business changes is online. Go to www.myflorida.com/dor, select Information for Businesses and Employers, then select Change address or account status. If you choose to notify us by mail, complete, sign, and mail from your coupon book: The Change of Address or Business Name page to notify us of a change in address that occurs within a county; or The Closing or Sale of Business page with your final tax return. You must submit a new registration online, or obtain a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1) online, at www.myflorida.com/dor if you: Move your business location from one county to another; or Change your legal entity; or Change the ownership of your business.
Bracket rates are posted on our Internet site at www.myflorida.com/dor. The Sales Tax Rate Table (Form DR-2X) provides tax rates for most counties that charge a discretionary sales surtax. Calculate the total tax to be collected on the total amount of the sale. The total tax collected must be shown on each invoice. The sales tax and discretionary sales surtax may be shown as one total, or each tax can be shown separately. In many cases, the actual tax you collect is more than a straight percentage of the sales or use tax and surtax. You must use the bracket system to calculate the tax due when any part of each total sale is less than a whole dollar amount. Example: A customer purchases a taxable item that sells for $60.67 (before tax) in a county with no discretionary sales surtax. To calculate the correct amount of Florida sales tax, the seller first multiplies $60 by 6% (state sales tax rate) to determine the sales tax on the whole dollar portion of the sale ($60 x 6% = $3.60). Using the bracket system, the seller then determines that the correct amount of sales tax on the amount less than a dollar ($.67) is $.05. Therefore, the total sales tax due on this transaction is $3.65 ($3.60 + $.05 cents).
Line-by-Line Instructions
Line A. Sales/Services
Line A is used to report the total of all wholesale and retail sales transactions and certain untaxed purchases as follows: Sales, leases, or licenses to use certain property or goods (tangible personal property). Sales and rentals, admissions, amusement machine receipts, and vending machine receipts (except food and beverage reported on Line E). The amount of taxable sales from amusement machines are also separately reported on Line 19. Sales of services including nonresidential interior pest control, nonresidential interior janitorial/cleaning services, residential and nonresidential burglar and other protection services, and detective services. Sales and untaxed purchases of electric power or energy taxed at the rate of 7% sales tax, plus surtax. You must also report this amount on Line 17. Sales and untaxed purchases of dyed diesel fuel used in vessels or self-propelled off-road equipment taxed at the rate of 6% sales tax, plus surtax. You must also report this amount on Line 18. NOTE: Registered Florida motor vehicle dealers may use the method described in Tax Information for Motor Vehicle Dealers (Form GT-400400) to report tax on sales of motor vehicles to out-of-state residents. (Go to www.myflorida.com/dor and search for GT-400400.)
Enter the total amount of gross sales. Do not include tax collected in this amount.
Enter the total amount of tax-exempt sales included in Line A, Column 1. Enter 0 if none. Some examples of tax-exempt sales are sales for resale, sales of items specifically exempt, and sales to organizations that hold a Florida Consumers Certificate of Exemption.
Subtract total exempt sales from gross sales and enter the taxable amount. You must also report the total amount of sales that are subject to sales tax but are exempt from discretionary sales surtax, on Line 15(a) or Line 15(b). You must report on Line 15(c), the total amount of sales for which you collected discretionary sales surtax at a rate different than the rate of the county in which you are located. In addition to reporting the Taxable Amount on the front of your return, remember to complete the back of the return for the following: Taxable sales or untaxed purchases of electric power or energy on Line 17. Taxable sales or untaxed purchases of dyed diesel fuel used in vessels or self-propelled off-road equipment on Line 18. Taxable sales from amusement machines on Line 19.
Column 1. Gross Sales - Not Applicable Column 2. Exempt Sales - Not Applicable Column 3. Taxable Amount Enter the total amount of purchases used or consumed that were not taxed by suppliers and not for resale. If you report purchases exempt from discretionary sales surtax, complete Line 15(a) or Line 15(b).
Enter the total amount of tax collected, including discretionary sales surtax. You must also report the total amount of discretionary sales surtax due on Line 15(d).
Enter the total amount of use tax owed, including discretionary sales surtax. You must also report all discretionary sales surtax due on Line 15(d). If you paid sales tax to another state at a rate less than 6%, enter the total amount of Florida use tax, plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax on Line B, Column 4, and claim a credit for the tax paid to the other state on Line 6. When claiming a credit for sales tax paid to another state, make sure it is legally imposed. When in doubt, contact the tax agency in the state where the tax was paid.
Amusement Divisor
1.040 1.0425 1.045 1.0475 1.050 1.0525 1.055 1.0575 1.0600
Example
The total receipts from an amusement machine(s) in a county with a combined sales and surtax rate of 6.5% total $100.00. Total receipts divided by the amusement machine divisor for the 6.5% rate equals gross sales. Total receipts minus gross sales equals tax due. Gross sales multiplied by the surtax rate equals discretionary sales surtax collected.
Enter the total amount of commercial rentals. Do not include tax collected in this amount.
$100 1.045 = $95.69 (gross sales) $100 $95.69 = $4.31 (tax due, including discretionary sales surtax) $95.69 x .005 = $.48 [discretionary sales surtax portion to be reported on Line 15(d)]
Enter the total amount of tax-exempt commercial rentals included in Line C, Column 1. Enter 0 if none. See section 212.031, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and Rule 12A-1.070, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), for exemptions specifically available to commercial rentals.
Subtract total exempt commercial rentals from total gross commercial rentals and enter the difference (the taxable amount). Enter the total amount of tax collected, including discretionary sales surtax. You must also report all discretionary sales surtax collected on Line 15(d).
Subtract total exempt sales from total gross sales and enter the taxable amount. Enter the total amount of tax, including discretionary sales surtax. You must also report all discretionary sales surtax collected on Line 15(d). Sales/Surtax Rate
6.0% 6.25% 6.5% 6.75% 7.0% 7.25% 7.5% 7.75% 8.0%
Example
The total receipts from a soft drink machine in a county with a combined sales and surtax rate of 6.5% total $100. Total receipts divided by the food and beverage divisor for the 6.5% rate equals gross sales. Total receipts minus gross sales equals tax due, including discretionary sales surtax. Gross sales multiplied by the surtax rate equals discretionary sales surtax collected. $100 1.0686 = $93.58 (gross sales) $100 $93.58 = $6.42 (tax due, including discretionary sales surtax) $93.58 x .005 = $.47 [discretionary sales surtax to be reported on Line 15(d)]
Enter the total gross amounts (rental charges) charged for transient rentals only. Do not include tax collected in this amount.
Enter the total amount of tax-exempt transient rentals included in Line D, Column 1. Enter 0 if none.
Subtract total exempt transient rentals (Column 2) from total gross transient rentals (Column 1) and enter the difference (the taxable amount).
Enter the total amount of tax collected, including any discretionary sales surtax and any local option tax (for example, tourist development tax) administered by the Department of Revenue. You must also report all discretionary sales surtax collected on Line 15(d). The $5,000 limitation for discretionary sales surtax does not apply to transient rentals.
Enter the total amount of gross sales computed from food and beverage vending machines receipts. Do not include tax collected in this amount.
Enter the total amount of tax-exempt sales included in Line E, Column 1. Enter 0 if none.
Method 2 Current Month/Previous Year Calculate 60% of your sales tax collected for the same month of the previous calendar year. Example: When completing your December return, multiply the amount on Line 7 of your January return for the same calendar year (less discretionary sales surtax) by 60%. Enter that amount on Line 9. Method 3 Current Month Calculate 60% of the tax collected for the next months return. Example: When completing your December return, your estimated tax liability is 60% of what you will collect and report (minus discretionary sales surtax) on your January return. Enter that amount on Line 9. Penalty for Underpayment of Estimated Tax If you underpaid your last months estimated tax on Line 9, you owe a penalty of 10% on the underpaid amount. A Notice of Additional Tax Due will be issued by the Department if you underpaid estimated tax.
Line 8. Less Estimated Tax Paid/ Department of Revenue (DOR) Credit Memo -
Enter the total amount of estimated tax you paid last month, the amount of any sales tax credit memo(s) issued by the Department, and the amount of rural and/or urban high crime area job tax credits for which you have received a letter of approval from the Department. If the total amount of credits exceeds the Total Tax Due (Line 7), adjust the Line 8 amount to equal Line 7, and claim any remaining balance on Line 8 of your next return. If this is your FINAL return, complete an Application for Refund Sales and Use Tax (Form DR-26S) to obtain a refund of the credit balance.
Line 9. Plus Estimated Tax Due Current Month Enter the total amount of estimated tax due, if applicable, calculated using one of the following three methods. You are NOT required to use only one method and may choose to use any one of these methods throughout the year.
Most counties impose a local option discretionary sales surtax that must be collected on taxable transactions. You must collect discretionary sales surtax along with the 6% state sales tax and send both taxes to the Department. Current discretionary sales surtax rates for all counties are listed on Form DR-15DSS, Discretionary Sales Surtax Information, posted on our Internet site. If your business location is in Florida, the discretionary sales surtax rate printed on your tax returns is the rate in effect for the county where your business is located. If your business is located outside of Florida, no discretionary sales surtax rate is printed on your returns. However, all dealers must collect discretionary sales surtax on taxable sales when the transaction occurs in, or delivery is into, a county that imposes a surtax. Use the chart to help you determine when and at what rate to collect discretionary sales surtax. For motor vehicle and mobile home sales, use the surtax rate of the county identified as the residence address of the purchaser on the registration or title document for the motor vehicle or mobile home. The surtax applies to the first $5,000 of the sales amount on any item of tangible personal property. The $5,000 limitation does not apply to rentals of real property, transient rentals, or services. Include discretionary sales surtax with tax reported on Lines A through E in Column 4 of your DR-15 return. Do not send discretionary sales surtax collections to the county tax collectors office.
If you make your payment electronically, check the box in the bottom left corner of your DR-15 return.
When and at What Rate to Collect Discretionary Sales Surtax (Local Option County Tax) on Taxable Sales
If a selling dealer located in any Florida county If a selling dealer located in any Florida county If a selling dealer located in any Florida county If an out-of-state selling dealer If an out-of-state selling dealer with a discretionary surtax with or without a discretionary surtax with or without a discretionary surtax sells & delivers sells & delivers sells & delivers sells & delivers sells & delivers into the county where the selling dealer is located into counties with different discretionary surtax rates into counties without a discretionary surtax into a Florida county with a discretionary surtax into a Florida county without a discretionary surtax surtax is collected at the county rate where the delivery is made surtax is collected at the county rate where the delivery is made surtax is not collected surtax is collected at the county rate where the delivery is made surtax is not collected
Line 15(c). Amounts Subject to Surtax at a Rate Different Than Your County Surtax Rate
You must report the total amount of sales for which you collected discretionary sales surtax at a rate different than the rate of the county in which you are located on Line 15(c). Enter the taxable amounts from Line A, Column 3, for which you collected discretionary sales surtax at a rate different than the county in which you are located. This amount would consist of taxable sales where you delivered the merchandise into a county with a different discretionary sales surtax rate. Example: A business located in a county with a 1% discretionary sales surtax rate sells a single taxable item for $3,000 and delivers the merchandise into a county with a 1.5% discretionary sales surtax rate. The discretionary sales surtax is to be collected at 1.5%. The business will report the $3,000 on Line 15(c), since this is the taxable amount that was subject to a different county discretionary sales surtax rate. The business will report the surtax collected at 1.5% on Line 15(d).
Line 20. Rural and/or Urban High Crime Area Job Tax Credits
Enter the amount of rural and/or urban high crime area job tax credits for which you have received a letter of approval from the Department on Line 20 and include this amount on Line 8. Follow the instructions sent to you with the letter of authorized rural and/or urban high crime area job tax credits.
Signature(s)
Sign and date your return. For corporations, an authorized corporate officer must sign. If someone else prepared the return, the preparer must also sign and date the return in the spaces provided. Please provide telephone number(s) in the space(s) provided.
Resources
To order coupon books, call: Taxpayer Services or The service center nearest you.
Information, forms, and tutorials are available on our Internet site at:
www.myflorida.com/dor
To speak with a Department of Revenue representative, call Taxpayer Services, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., ET, at 800-352-3671. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may call our TDD at 800-367-8331 or 850-922-1115. For a written reply to tax questions, write: Taxpayer Services Florida Department of Revenue 5050 W Tennessee St Mail Stop 3-2000 Tallahassee FL 32399-0112