How to Register Your Business in 5 Steps
"How do I register my business?" is one of the most commonly asked questions from new small business owners.
What most new business owners don’t realize is that registering your business isn’t simply a matter of taking a trip to your local county offices. Business registration typically involves several checklist items, including registering your business structure, registering to get a permit, and so on.
Like all things in business, your best approach is to take things one step at a time.
The government provides a lot of guidance on making sure your new business is operating legally. Here are some tips and best practices on how to register your business at the federal, state, and local agency level.
How to register your small business
1. Decide on a business structure
Before you take care of registering your business, you’ll need to step back and consider how you wish to structure your business as a legal entity. Whichever structure is right for you will determine further registration requirements.
If you decide to create a corporation, a nonprofit, an LLC, or a partnership, you will have to register your business and file certain documents with your state government.
If you are operating as a sole proprietorship, you don’t need to register your business with your state. However, if you choose to operate your business under any other name than your own, you will need to formally file your trade name or "doing business as" name with your state.
Read more about choosing a legal structure for your business and how to go about registering that entity with the government.
2. Register your business name
If you choose to name your business under a trade name—for example, "Green Fingers Lawn Services"—you cannot operate that business under that name until it is officially registered with your local government. Until then, the legal name of your business essentially defaults to your given name. Find out how to register your business name in your state.
3. Register with the IRS and get a Federal Tax ID
This won’t apply to all new businesses, but if you have employees, any business partnerships, are a corporation or other organization, you’ll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN). To check whether you need an EIN, take this quick survey: Do I Need an EIN? You can apply for the EIN online here. If you don’t need an EIN, you can simply use your Social Security number to administer your business finances.
4. Register with your state tax or revenue office
As well as a federal tax ID, you’ll need to pay state and local taxes, although each locality has its own laws.
As a rule, you’ll need to register your business with your state’s revenue office. You may also need to apply for a tax permit (for example, a sales tax permit will let you legally collect sales tax from customers). As a business operator, you’ll also need to comply with state income tax and employment laws. Get more information on state tax registration requirements here.
5. Register for the appropriate business licenses and permits
It often comes as a surprise to many new small business owners that, in fact, most businesses—from home-based business consultants to storekeepers, restaurateurs, and so on—require some form of government permit or license to operate.
Luckily, the SBA website is a great place for business owners to get information about licenses, permits, and registrations needed to run their businesses. Visit the site's "Apply for licenses and permits" section, which contains useful information on both federal and state licenses and permits.
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