You'll have to deal with a fair amount of paperwork before opening your new business. In addition to registering your business and finding out whether you need a tax ID number, you may need local, state and federal business licenses and permits. This is a basic checklist of items to consider as you set up your business.
If you have a limited liability company, a corporation or a limited partnership you will need to register your business with your state authorities. If you form a sole proprietorship or a general partnership, you generally don’t need to register your business entity with the state.
In most cases a sole proprietorship registration is handled through the county and/or city where your business is based, and there may be state and city permits or licenses required for operation. If sole proprietors opt to incorporate their business or to form an LLC or a limited partnership, then state registration is required. Businesses usually register with their state's department of corporations, division of corporations or the secretary of state.
Federal Employer ID Numbers
Businesses that are incorporated or structured as a partnership, LLC, C Corporation or S Corporation must obtain a federal employer identification number (EIN) that will be used as its taxpayer identification number. Under certain circumstances, a sole proprietorship must also have an EIN, but usually, sole proprietors can use their Social Security number as their business taxpayer identification number.
Register Your Business Name
Business names are registered with state or county authorities. Your business name will be registered with the state when you register an LLC or incorporate your business.
When sole proprietors register their businesses with local or state authorities, their names become their business names by default. Sole proprietors can also apply for a fictitious name -- also known as a DBA, which stands for “doing business as” -- with their city or county clerk's office, which means they are registering their business under something other than their real names.
For example, Jane Doe applies for a business license. Her company will be registered as Jane Doe unless she decides she wants to use another name. If she wants her company to be called Jane Doe Creations, she will have to register for a fictitious name.
Before you register your business name, check to see whether someone is already using the name in your jurisdiction. If you're thinking of creating a Web site for your business, be sure to choose a unique business name so that it isn't confused with another company. Check online to see if a Web domain with the name you want for your business is available.
