Introducing Chicago Business Direct!

June 13, 2018

As of May 26, 2018, the Chicago Business License Application System was renamed Chicago Business Direct. Chicago Business Direct is the City’s new and improved platform that combines all of your license and tax needs in one place. The Online License Renewal Application and WebTax systems were retired. The functionality was improved and merged into Chicago Business Direct.

Chicago Business Direct allows business owners, and/or their legal representatives, to apply for City of Chicago business licenses, renew business licenses and weighing/measuring device certifications, file tax returns, and make tax payments online.

To use Chicago Business Direct, you must create a user profile. Creating a user profile is fast, easy, and secure. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

As a business owner or officer, your profile will automatically be linked to your business account(s) and you will have access to all tax and license services. (If you already have a user profile that was created within the Chicago Business License Application System, you should continue to use it. You do not need to create a new user profile.) Please note that account numbers and PINs will no longer be needed and may not be used to log into Chicago Business Direct.

As a business owner or officer, you may grant access to your business account to other individuals. They will need to create their own user profile. Once they have done so, you will be able to grant access yourself or via a written authorization (sample authorization letter).

ATTENTION BUSINESS EMPLOYEES AND TAX PREPARERS: You must create your own user profile to log into Chicago Business Direct. When creating a user profile, it is imperative that you enter your PERSONAL, LEGAL information EXACTLY as it appears on your valid government-issued photo identification. Your user profile is unique to you and approval is dependent upon our ability to authenticate your personal identity. Once your user profile is approved and activated, you must be granted access to a business account by an owner or officer of that business. They may log in and grant access electronically or via a written authorization (sample authorization letter). Once access is granted you will be able to access license and tax services on their behalf.

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