Vancouver businesses most impacted by pandemic-related restrictions will benefit from a new program to refund the city’s business license surcharge fee.
The program, which launched April 1 and will continue through March 2022, is an extension of the city’s temporary business license fee waiver emergency order approved in April 2020.
Surcharge refunds are available to businesses that traditionally serve large numbers of customers indoors, including restaurants and bars, gyms, bowling alleys, movie theaters and arts venues. The refunds are expected to provide approximately $500,000 in direct relief to eligible businesses. The reduction in city revenues will be offset by local government relief provided through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
A link to the COVID-19 surcharge (employee fee) refund application is available at www.cityofvancouver.us/CovidSurchargeRefund.
Business owners who have questions about the program may call city licensing staff at 360-487-8410, option 3, or send an email to business.licenses@cityofvancouver.us.
