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- iHaveNet.com: Small Business Guide
When you start a new business, do you need to register your business? How do you determine what licenses and permits you will need for your new start-up business?
Business licensing requirements vary from city to city, county to county, and state to state. Some require all businesses to register, and they collect annual business licensing fees. Others don't require licenses or registration for unincorporated businesses unless you are doing business under a fictitious name (also known as a DBA or "doing business as").
This means that if you are operating as Alice Jones, caterer, you may not be required to register, but if you do business as Gourmet Delights Catering you will have to register.
Begin the process by calling the city licensing bureau, the county recorders office, or the county registrars office to find out their licensing requirements and the application procedure. This way, you will have all the necessary materials ready when you go to fill out your application.
Applications are usually processed through your city or county clerks office, located at city hall or the county administrative building (the same bureau that processes documents like marriage licenses). Look in the government blue pages of your local phone directory for the location.
When you visit your city/county government, be sure to describe your business in detail and ask a lot of questions.
This way, you will be sure to find out about all the permits and licenses you will need. Remember, it is your responsibility as the business owner to adhere to any and all regulations that apply to your business -- even if it is only a part-time venture.
Here are some other business regulations you may need to be concerned with:
Sellers permit
Mostly for retailers in states with a sales tax, this is also known as a resale permit; it allows you to avoid paying sales tax on merchandise when you purchase it from wholesalers; this permit is issued through the state entity that is responsible for taxes.
Food permit
For businesses that make or sell food; may require inspection by your local health department.
Liquor license
Necessary if you intend to sell alcohol; regulated at the state level and sometimes the local level.
Building permits, fire certificates, zoning permits
These are regulated by your local planning department.
Police permit
Some businesses require police clearance or permit.
State occupational licenses
Some occupations such as doctors, lawyers, day care facilities, general contractors, etc. require special state or local licenses; your state consumer affairs office should be able to help you.
Small Business Guide
- Starting Up Your Business
- Coming Up With a Winning Business Idea
- Common Startup Mistakes
- The New Rules for Startups
- Business Incubator FAQs
- Naming Your Business
- Researching Your Business
- Your Personal Savings
- Registration, Licenses, and Permits
- Getting a Tax ID Number
- Fast-Growth Startup Resources
- Structuring Your Business
- Overview: Corporations
- State Offices of Incorporation
- Incorporate Out of State?
- Writing a Partnership Agreement
- Choosing a Board of Directors
- Basics of a C Corporation
- Basics of an S Corporation
- Basics of an LLC
- Basics of a Sole Proprietorship
- Basics of a Non-Profit Corporation
- Basics of a Professional Corporation
- Basics of a General Partnership
- Basics of a Limited Partnership
- Your Company's Public Relations
- Elements of a Successful Public Relations Campaign
- How to Use Your Press Coverage Effectively
- Press Releases
- How to Write a Successful Press Release
- Sample Product/Service Press Release
- Sample Commentary Press Release
- Sample Event Press Release
- Sample Tips Press Release
- Sample Personnel Press Release
- Effective Competitive Analysis
- Managing Purchasing to Maximize Cash Flow
- Top Six Pricing Mistakes Businesses Make
- How to Avoid Lowering Your Prices
- Bidding Basics
- Hiring Staff
- Creating an Effective Job Description
- Do You Know How to Pick Them?
- Little-Known Hiring Resources
- Classifying Contract Workers
- Tips for Successful Interviewing
- What You Can't Ask in a Job Interview
- New Hire Paperwork
- Small Business Insurance
- Types of Insurance for Small Businesses
- Small Business Insurance FAQs
- Insurance Resources for Small Businesses
- Home Office Insurance: Myths & Realities
- Small Business Resources
- Government Resources for Small Business on the Web
- Resources for Women Entrepreneurs
- Fast-Growth Startup Resources
- Small Business Security Resources
- Taking Time Off
- Your Pre-Vacation Checklist
- How to Take a Vacation
- Learning to Delegate
- Getting Away When You Can't Get Away
- Preparing for Tax Season
- Year-End Planning Tax Savers
- 10 Ways to Pay Less in Tax
- 25 Common Business Deductions and Expenses
- Avoid These Common Errors and Audit Triggers
- Understanding the Home Office Deduction
- Corporate Income Taxes Primer
- Employment Taxes Primer
- Sales Tax Primer
- Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships Tax Primer
- How to Get a Filing Extension
- Year-End Reconciliation
- Getting the Most from Your Accountant
- Developing Accurate Financial Projections
- Cash Flow
- 10 Ways to Help Increase Your Cash Flow
- Cash vs Accrual Accounting
- Bookkeeping and Record Keeping Basics
- Quick Ways to Get Through a Cash Crunch
- Projecting Cash Flow
- Cash Flow Triage
- Getting Funding
- Cash Flow Through Factoring
- Small Business Investment Corporations (SBIC)
- Traditional Funding Sources
- Non-Traditional Funding Sources
- Your Company's Credit
- How to Read a Business Credit Report
- Credit Terms Glossary for Your Small Business
- How to Protect and Improve Your Business Credit Rating
- Give Your Business the Financing Edge
- Employee Compensation
- Employee Benefits
- Bonuses: How To Be Fair
- Workers' Compensation Q&A
- Keeping Workers' Compensation Costs Down
- Payroll Management Choices
- Key Elements of Payroll
- Working with a Payroll Service Provider
- How to Create a Business Plan
Starting Up Your Business - Business Registration, Licenses & Permits
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