Tax Information for Artists

A Business Privilege License is required by all businesses wishing to do business within the City of Bethlehem. The annual license fee is $25.00 and the license period runs fromMay 1st through April 30th.  The Mercantile tax is levied at 1.5 mils on retail sales, service and rentals ($1.50 per $1,000.00 of business).

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ARTISTS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD A BETHLEHEM BUSINESS PRIVILEGE LICENSE:

Artists who have previously registered with the City of Bethlehem and received a Business Privilege license number will be mailed a combined license renewal and tax return form in March.  They will pay $25 if they wish to renew the Business Privilege license (period is May – April) and pay the mercantile tax on their sales for the previous year. 

If an artist did not receive their renewal/return form in the mail, they can call Tri-State Financial Group at 610-993-8609 to request it.

The $25 renewal fee and the tax are due by May 5th each year.  The license period runs May – April.  The tax is owed on the total of the previous year’s sales.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ARTISTS WHO HAVE NEVER HAD A BETHLEHEM BUSINESS PRIVILEGE LICENSE:

Artists who have never registered for a Bethlehem Business Privilege license can download the Business Privilege license application form at this link:
https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/admin/forms/ApplicationBusiness-MercantileLicense.pdf

Artists must mail the form and the $25 fee to Tri-State Financial Group as indicated on the form.  This should be done before May.

Tri-State Financial Group will mail a Business Privilege license to the artist. The license is valid May of the current year – April of the following year.  In March, the artist will be mailed a combined renewal and tax return form.  They will pay $25 if they wish to renew the Business Privilege license, and pay the mercantile tax on their sales for the previous year.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The contact person at the Bethlehem Tax Bureau is Elizabeth Rosario, 610-865-7022
Alternate contact: Tri-State Financial Group, 610-993-8609

Link to City of Bethlehem tax licenses and forms page:
https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/admin/tax.html
Links to Business Privilege and Mercantile Tax information and forms are located in the “Tax Forms” box.