Street Vendor Permits and Tax Clearance

The Department of Finance certifies that certain types of street vendors are current with their New York City business taxes when they apply for licenses. This is called tax clearance.

Street Vendors Needing Permits and Tax Clearance

General Street Vendors - These vendors are licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). When you submit your application for either a new license or a renewal to Consumer Affairs, you must include a Vendor Tax Clearance Certificate from the Department of Finance.

Mobile Food Vendors - These vendors are licensed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). If you are renewing your license and you owe taxes, DOHMH will send you a letter instructing you to contact the Department of Finance.

Getting a Tax Clearance Certificate

There is one form to request tax clearance from the Department of Finance, but there are different requirements for clearance depending on the type of license that you have.

Complete the Vendor Tax Clearance Certificate Application and, if required, the appropriate affidavit:

General Street Vendor Licenses

  • Print out and complete the Vendor Tax Clearance Certificate application.
  • Check the “Consumer Affairs” box in the “Agency that issued your license” section.
  • Follow the instructions on the form for submitting the form in person to the Department of Finance.
  • Submit your Tax Clearance Certificate to Consumer Affairs along with your license application.

Mobile Food Vendor Permits or License Renewals

  • If you are renewing your license and you owe taxes, DOHMH will send you a letter instructing you to contact the Department of Finance.
  • If your permit application says "You have not been cleared by the New York City Department of Finance," or if DOHMH directs you to get clearance, this means that DOHMH was not able to determine your tax clearance status automatically. Instead, you must obtain tax clearance from the Department of Finance and submit a Vendor Tax Clearance Certificate to DOHMH with your application and submit it in person to the Department of Finance. To do this:
    • Print out and complete the Vendor Tax Clearance Certificate.
    • Check the “Health” box in the “Agency that issued your license” section of the form.
    • Follow the instructions on the form for submitting the form in person to the Department of Finance.
    • Submit your Tax Clearance Certificate to DOHMH along with your license application.

For more information visit the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Department of Consumer Affairs websites.