11. Get the Polk County Local Business Tax Receipt

Lake Wales sits inside Polk County, and the County taxes every business located or operating in it. Get this receipt before you go to the City. The City's own checklist requires a copy.

Polk County's annual amounts, as of October 2026:

• Class A, not state-regulated: $39.38
• Class B, state-regulated (you hold a state license, certification or registration): $72.19
• Class C, declared businesses such as special events, stall markets, pawn and check cashing, and fireworks: $393.75

Fees change. Verify the current amount on the Polk County Tax Collector's page before you file.

How to do it: print the application from that page, fill it in, and mail it or drop it at any Tax Collector service center. The Lake Wales office is at 658 Highway 60 West, open weekdays 8:30 to 5:00, phone 863-534-4700. The receipt is mailed in five to seven business days.

You will need your entity type, your fictitious name registration number if you use one, your EIN or Social Security number, the business address and which jurisdiction it is in, proof of any state license, and a statement about your business equipment.

That last item matters later. Every new business files a tangible personal property return with the Polk County Property Appraiser by April 1. File on time and the first $25,000 of equipment and furnishings is exempt. Miss the deadline and you lose the exemption.

County receipts renew by September 30. Late penalties start at 10% in October and climb from there.