Pursuant to Section 213.053, Florida Statutes, information received by the Florida Department of Revenue is confidential and can only be released with proper written authorization. You can apply online for a Request for Tax Clearance Letter or Certificate of Compliance. The requester's name must be listed on the Florida Department of State - Division of Corporations showing their association with the company or they must have a Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative (Form DR-835 ) on file with the Department.

If you prefer to file a hardcopy request, the request must include all of the following information to prevent denial:

• Requester name (including signature), telephone number, fax number, email address, and a copy of the requester's driver’s license or identification card. The picture ID must be readable, or processing may be delayed.
• Business name and address, and an identification number such as Business Partner Number, Federal Employer Identification Number, etc.
• A properly executed Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative (Form DR-835 ), if you want a qualified party to represent you.

You may fax your request to 850-922-5254 or mail it to:

Florida Department of Revenue
PO Box 8045
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-8045

Note: When the Department responds to an inquiry via email that includes confidential information such as tax numbers or SSNs, the email will be sent using the Department’s secure email software, Microsoft Outlook message encryption (OME). Microsoft OME requires you to establish a Microsoft Live account associated with your email address. You may need to turn off spam blocking tools and/or change security options to receive secure emails from the Department.

The standard time frame for processing is 7-10 business days from the date the Department receives your request.

When a business or stock of goods is sold, the unpaid sales tax liability (if any) of the former owner may transfer to the purchaser, unless the Florida Department of Revenue issues a Certificate of Compliance or conducts a transferee liability audit. Either the buyer or the seller can request the audit:

• The seller can submit the Seller's Application for Transferee Liability Certificate (Form DR-842 );
• The purchaser can submit the Purchaser's Application for Transferee Liability Certificate (Form DR-843 ), along with a signed sales agreement included with the request.

Because tax information is confidential, the Department will provide only the seller with the audit results and transferee liability certificate.

Generally, the Florida Department of Revenue conducts the audit. However, for sales tax, you can hire a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who is qualified to conduct sales and use tax audits for the Department.

Florida Department of Revenue Audit: If you want the Department to conduct the audit, send the completed Seller's Application for Transferee Liability Certificate (Form DR-842 ) or Purchaser's Application for Transferee Liability Certificate (Form DR-843 ) and signed sales agreement to:

Florida Department of Revenue
PO Box 5139
Tallahassee FL 32314-5139

Hiring a CPA: For sales tax audits, you can hire a qualified CPA to conduct your transferee liability audit. Qualified CPA practitioners are certified in sales and use tax through the Certified Audit Program (Form GT-800065 ).

The Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants maintains a list of CPA practitioners who are certified to conduct sales and use tax audits for the Department. When you select a CPA, he or she will tell you what information is needed to conduct the audit. You are responsible for paying the fee to the auditor you select.

When the audit is complete, the Department will notify the current owner of the business of tax, penalty and interest due (if any). If there is a delay in the sale of the business, you may request a Certificate of Compliance for the periods not covered by the audit.

Note: Sales tax is the only tax for which a certified audit may be completed.

For more information about certificates of compliance or tax clearance letters, contact your local service center or call the Department's Taxpayer Assistance at 850-488-6800 Monday-Friday, excluding holidays.

If you have general questions about transferee liability audits, contact the Department's Case Processing Section at 850-617-8565 or email RevProcs@floridarevenue.com.

If you have questions about the Certified Audit Program, call the Department's Certified Audit Section at 850-617-8578, or the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) at 800-342-3197. Visit the FICPA's website for more information on the Certified Audit Program and the list of qualified CPA Practitioners.