February has many reasons to get out and patronize San Francisco’s small businesses: Black History Month, Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, and the 49ers in the Super Bowl! Visit sf.gov/ExploreSF for self-guided tours of many of San Francisco’s commercial corridors.
Announcements & Highlights
49ers in the Super Bowl this Sunday, February 11
We hope that football fans celebrate responsibly. Here are some tips for businesses:
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Sign up for text alerts about Super Bowl related issues in San Francisco
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Secure your garbage cans and exterior furniture
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Call 911 for crimes and emergencies
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Call 311 for non-emergencies
Review the recommended reforms to San Francisco’s business tax system
Treasurer José Cisneros, Controller Ben Rosenfield, and the City’s Chief Economist Ted Egan have issued recommendations to San Francisco’s business taxes. They are intended to frame the development of a measure for the consideration of the voters in November 2024.
The recommendations are intended to mitigate risks in the current business tax structure in San Francisco, advance broad goals of simplicity and predictability for taxpayers, and promote greater equity for small businesses.
Get Free Personal Tax Filing Help
San Franciscans who earn under $64,000 can get free tax filing help. This may include individuals filing a Schedule C on their form 1040 for business income. There’s help to apply for tax credits that can add up to as much $9,600. SF Human Services Agency’s nonprofit partners and other free tax preparation locations across San Francisco make it easy to file personal taxes safely and securely for free using online tools or in-person service options. Get more details here, or call 2-1-1.
Understand music licensing to play background music
Businesses playing music, even background music, need to have permission from the music licensing company. There are many 3rd party services you can pay for that covers most music. Or you can purchase an annual license for each licensing companies separately. Some businesses can be exempt and play the radio or TV if their space is small enough. But to qualify, the business owner must not charge an admission fee nor play any other music other than radio and TV. Personal streaming services don’t count as radio.
Music licensing a legal issue, so it’s best to speak to an attorney if questions or issues arise.
Office of Small Business in the Community
Let us know if you would like the Office of Small Business to visit your corridor and share resources for small businesses. Please send requests to: sfosb@sfgov.org.
Upcoming
New lease negotiation webinars for the Storefront Opportunity Grant
This grant program from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development helps business owners find a location, negotiate a commercial lease, and open a new storefront in San Francisco. You must attend a Commercial Lease Negotiation Webinar before applying for the OEWD Storefront Opportunity Grant. Here are two upcoming webinars:
Feb 7, 1:00 PM
English with Cantonese translation services
Feb 8, 1:00 PM
Spanish
Learn more about the Storefront Opportunity Grant
SF Annual Business Tax Returns
Due by Feb 29
Local taxes include Gross Receipts Tax, Administrative Office Tax, Commercial Rents Tax, Homelessness Gross Receipts Tax, and Overpaid Executive Tax.
You are exempt from filing if your combined taxable gross receipts in the City are less than or equal to $2,190,000.
Apply for the Vacant to Vibrant pop-up program
Apply by Feb 23
Vacant to Vibrant is a program that supports small businesses, artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural organizations to connect to local property owners to create engaging pop-up experiences and community spaces in downtown San Francisco. Pitch your idea to get in on the ground floor to build up a different downtown. Learn more and apply here.
If you are a property owner interested in hosting a pop-up, please apply at vibrantsf.org/property
New federal reporting for most companies
Beginning on January 1, 2024
Most companies (such as LLCs, partnerships, and corporations) must now file “Beneficial Ownership Information” with the federal government. Existing companies have until January 1, 2025 to file, but new businesses have only 90 days. Sole proprietors and non-profits are among the business types that may be exempt and don’t have to file. Learn more and then file online. Questions can be submitted here.
Two ongoing grant programs supporting small businesses:
Accessible Barrier Removal Grant
All businesses with public locations are responsible for ensuring their businesses are accessible to individuals with disabilities, no matter how small. This grant program can reimburse you for up to $10,000 in accessibility inspections or for making your business more accessible.
Shared Spaces Equity Grant
Get paid up to $2,500 to bring your Shared Space into compliance. Update: this program is now available to small businesses citywide.
Legacy Business Spotlight
Heritage Happy Hour at Irish Bank Bar & Restaurant
Feb 8, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Heritage Happy Hours offers a casual “no-host” gathering of heritage professionals, young preservationists, aficionados, friends, and Legacy Business cohorts interested in safeguarding San Francisco’s unique architectural and cultural identity.
The Irish Bank is one of America's most authentic, historically accurate, and romantic Irish pubs located in San Francisco’s downtown.
Webinars & Events
Feb 8
Zero Waste Events
Join SF Environment to learn about SF's new zero waste requirements and auditing process for events. This workshop is in person at 49 S Van Ness. Event producers seeking a special event permit with City of San Francisco agency must attend one of the following Zero Waste Events Trainings.
Feb 8
Virtual Office Hours for entrepreneurs
Get feedback on your small business ideas from a business advisor. Learn to structure an initial business idea, and start market research. Hosted by the SF Public Library and SF Small Business Development Center.
Feb 12
Build a Strong Online Presence
Establish a professional website and leverage social media platforms. This workshop is being held by the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center to help you build your marketing strategy. Sign up or login to their client portal to register.
Feb 27
Operating a Successful Food Biz in a Rising Cost Economy
Rent, labor and supplies are key pressures to financial sustainability & thriving in the hospitality industry. This webinar by the SF Small Business Development Center will address these with strategies for success.
Feb 27
SFO’s 2024 resource fair
This event will be in person at 49 S Van Ness from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. It features a wide range of resources and opportunities for small business owners to learn about current contracting opportunities.
Feb 29
Virtual Legal Clinic
Get free business law advice at the monthly virtual legal clinic from Legal Services for Entrepreneurs. Be sure to register in advance.
Shop Dine SF
A campaign to support businesses in San Francisco. Visit shops, eat at restaurants, and get services and experiences from the small businesses that make San Francisco special.
Visit sf.gov/shopdineSF or follow the campaign on social media to find events and initiatives across San Francisco! Share events supporting businesses and commercial corridors by emailing shopdinesf@sfgov.org.
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