How and where you register a retailing business with the state will depend on your state's laws. To find out what is needed to obtain a business license in your state, start by visiting your state's official website. You can usually find it at www. Most states have resources on how to register a new business and all of the requirements that you must meet. If you have a retail business located within the city limits, you also may have to purchase a local business license. Some counties and other municipalities also require a license.
Call your county or city clerk's office for more information. The fee varies depending on the type of business and where it is located. In order to purchase products to resell and not pay sales tax , your business will need a resale license or certificate. Not all states require a sales license and each state has its own name for this type of license.
This type of business license will allow your store to buy goods tax-exempt from a manufacturer or distributor; you then collect the sales tax from the customer and pay it back to the state. Most vendors will request a copy of your resale certificate before doing business with your company.
If you use any name for your retail business other than your own personal name, you'll need to file the appropriate paperwork. Some business licenses include a business name registration ; others require a separate registration or a DBA doing business as certificate. Some industry-specific retailers such as auctioneers, hairdressers, pharmacists, optometrists, and other professionals may require state or local occupational licenses.
If you're not sure you need an occupational license, check with your industry's trade association or your state's licensing department. As a good rule of thumb, any business involving wildlife should check in with the U. Fish and Wildlife Service to see what exact permits they need. Maritime transportation: Does your business use cargo shipping overseas? You need to apply for a business license from the Federal Marine Commission.
Mining, drilling, and nuclear energy: If your business is involved in drilling natural gas, oil, or other natural resources, you probably need to have a drilling permit from the government to actually do so.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Radio and television: If your business broadcasts information over the radio, television, satellite, or cable services in the U. If you operate an oversized vehicle or truck, you need to have a permit for any oversize or overweight vehicles.
These are usually issued by your state government even though they fall under federal jurisdiction. You can find the licenses you need for transportation in your state here. So far, we've discussed the possible types of business licenses needed to start your business in a commercial space.
If you're a home-based business owner, then, you may still be wondering: "Do I need a business license? What licenses are required to start a business in your home? Here are the basic licenses you may need:. Almost all home-based small businesses need a Home Occupation Permit to legally operate. Consultants or freelancers might only need a Home Occupation Permit as their small business license.
The SBA's list of state-by-state small business licenses can help you find and apply for a Home Occupation Permit specific to your state. Small business owners operating out of their homes should be aware of local zoning ordinances that apply to home-based businesses in their area. Residential areas can have strict zoning regulations that might even prevent home-based businesses altogether. Again, check with your local or city government office to know what the rules and regulations are regarding home-based businesses in your area.
Ultimately, many home-based businesses have to go through the same process to get the licenses needed to start any kind of business. Professional and trade licenses for certain industries. Health, safety, and environmental permits. Unfortunately, to maintain your home-based business legally, you'll still need these types of business licenses to start and run your operations. Moreover, you should remember that online businesses are not exempt from these regulations either.
If you're wondering "Do I need a business license to run an online business? Almost all businesses will need one or multiple licenses to start and operate their businesses legally, whether at the local, state, or federal level.
As you go through the different types of businesses licenses we've discussed to determine which ones you'll need, don't forget you can always consult the SBA or your local government agency for assistance with the licenses required to start a business. If you've figured out which licenses are required for your business and are now asking when do you need a business license—the answer is more than likely as soon as possible.
You'll want to apply for and receive all necessary licenses before you actually start operating or open your doors to the public. Once you've started your business under the appropriate licenses, you'll also want to display your licenses properly, make copies for your records, and keep track of any renewal dates to ensure you're always operating legally—and of course, to avoid possible fines or penalties. Dealing with the licenses you need probably will not be your favorite part of business ownership, but once you've taken care of this essential step, you can move on to the other, more exciting aspects of launching and growing a successful small business.
This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet. Types of business licenses: The basics. Types of business licenses: Local licenses and permits.
Local business operating license. Zoning and land use permits. Building permits. Fire department permit. Health licenses and permits. Signage licenses and permits.
Some permits might not cost anything at all. The biggest expense around a business license is not getting one at all. However, there are some documents that you can pull in advance to make the process easier. This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet. What is a business license? Get the funding you need.
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