By Melissa James, York County Contributor 

It's that time again—going through your annual business license paperwork for the York County Commissioner of the Revenue. 

If you're like me, then you dread this task each year. The time it takes to fill out the forms, gather the backup documents, and submit everything in the mail puts even this type-A business owner in procrastination mode. But, now that I write for the County's Department of Economic & Tourism Development, I better appreciate the importance of this paperwork—and even feel more motivated to get it done! 

What changed? I found out what's in it for my business! I want to share that with you, along with a few tips to make the process a bit easier. 

• Financial assistance: When you have a business license with the County, you're not just operating your business legally—you gain access to grant and financial assistance programs that businesses operating illegally can't use. Get more info here.
• Networking opportunities: Each year, ETD hosts several networking events and educational seminars. To get invited... you guessed it! You must be a currently licensed business.
• Marketing help: ETD is tasked with promoting local businesses. They do this in many ways, such as sharing posts on social media, writing feature stories on business anniversaries, and posting business news and accolades on their website. But if ETD doesn't know about you, they can't help you. 

So, how can the filing process be a bit better for you this year?

• File online – To save time and avoid processing delays, the County recommends filing your forms online. You can file your York County Business License here and your Business Tangible Personal Property Form here. 
• Don't wait – Putting it off to the last minute could be a costly mistake. If information is missing in your submission and you have to resubmit after the filing deadline, or if you experience power or internet outages or other delays when trying to submit, you could incur late fees. File early to avoid fees and unnecessary stress to get everything turned in before the deadline. 
• Take photos – One of the most useful habits I've started is snapping photos of the forms before I hit submit. The next year, I simply look at what I sent the year before, and copy the information over to the current year’s forms to be updated as needed. This is especially true for small and home-based businesses, as our forms don't change that much from year to year!
• Ask for help – Many folks have questions about the forms, which can be especially confusing for new business owners. Instead of asking for help, they often guess or estimate the data. This too can be a costly mistake. If you’re not sure what to do, reach out to the Commissioner of the Revenue’s office at 757-890-3383 or revofc@yorkcounty.gov for assistance. Their experienced team members are there to help! Another great resource is your accountant or CPA, who likely already has most of the info you need to submit.