Beginning today, December 7, 2012, the Upson County Building and Zoning Department will be mailing out renewal notices to all businesses in the unincorporated area of the County which must pay for their 2013 occupation tax certificates (formerly known as business licenses). New businesses located in unincorporated Upson County which have not previously applied for their tax certificates must come to the Building and Zoning Department to pick up the paperwork. Currently registered businesses are requested to update any outdated or incorrect information. The Upson County Building and Zoning Department is at 305 S. Hightower Street, Suite D-100 in the Drake Building in Thomaston. The office can be contacted at 706-647-1297.
State of Georgia-required immigration-related affidavits must also be submitted by businesses for 2013. The completed and notarized affidavits and I.D. copies, as well as occupation taxes, may be submitted by mail or in person. Affidavits may be notarized by any Georgia-licensed notary. Notaries will be available in the Building and Zoning Department to assist owners completing their paperwork. Businesses are encouraged to submit their paperwork as soon as possible, however, the legal deadline in unincorporated Upson County is April 1, 2013. The completed 2013 Occupation Tax Certificates will be mailed by the Building and Zoning Department or may be picked up within two (2) days of filing of the completed paperwork.
The two new affidavit and I.D. submittal requirements are due to passage of the Georgia, “Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011.” Local governments which provide “public benefits,” including levying occupation taxes on businesses, must verify the lawful presence in the United States of those receiving public benefits. Local governments are also required to ensure that those businesses required to comply with the federal work program called E-verify, are registered with the program and are utilizing it. The filing requirements include obtaining a copy of “secure and verifiable” identification documents such as driver’s licenses or passports.
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