Get a Business License 1-2-3
3 Steps to Getting a Business License:
In most cases, a company will need a business license to operate. The licenses and permits needed will
depend on the type of business and the location of the company. Apply for a license online.
1. Find out which licenses and permits are required by your city or county.
This is as easy as asking your local city or county government office. You can even find your city office
online. Many offices now have applications that you can download or fill out and submit online.
Sometimes, you will need to visit your local government office to submit your application.
2. Submit your application. Submitting a business license application is
fairly quick and painless. Forms are usually just a few pages and sometimes only a single page. Basic
information is needed, such as company name, contact details and location, individuals affiliated with
the company and type of establishment. Download and print the free checklist.
 3. Get your
certificate. Once an application is approved, the business license is generally mailed to the business
owner within a few weeks. A temporary certificate is issued in the meantime. Licenses need to be renewed
annually, along with a renewal fee.
Get Started Get a business license
"Do I Need a Business License for a Home Business?"Again, this depends on what
your particular city or county requires. However, most home based businesses are not excluded from having
a license. Just because a company operates out of a home rather than a commercial space does not mean
that a license is not required.
How to Find Out if Your Home Business Needs a License: Contact your local office:
find your city's contact
information (listed by state). You can also find out which licenses and permits you need at the Small
Business Administration website.
Need Help with Your Business License Application?
You can also get help from BizFilings and apply
online. They can research which licenses you need and send you all applicable license, permit and tax
registration applications. You also get complete filing instructions.
More Business Resources:
-
 How to Apply for a Federal Tax ID
Number
You get a Federal Tax ID Number, or Employer ID Number (EIN), from the IRS. You can apply through their
website, by phone, fax or mail. For fastest service, apply online. It can take up to five weeks to get
your EIN if you apply by mail.
The EIN you receive is your permanent number and can be used for business tasks such as opening a
business bank account, applying for a business license or filing a tax return.
If you don't know if you need a Federal Tax ID Number for your business, answer these questions. If you already have
a Tax ID Number, but have misplaced it, you can call the Business and Specialty Tax Line at (800)
829-4933 and have them look it up for you.
- Home Business Tax Deductions
Don't underestimate the power of tax knowledge! Small business changes can effect your profit in great
ways. Discover over 20 deductions you can take for your business and how to save money getting your taxes
done. See also: Accounting Made Easy.
- How to Incorporate in 3 Easy Steps
Are you better off forming a C Corporation, or would you be better off in an LLC or Partnership business?
Find out here which one will maximize your business profits and how you can get started easily online. See
also: Protect Your Business with an LLC
- Legal Forms
You want to avoid problems and protect your business at minimal cost. These standardized legal documents
can help you do that with buy/sell/rent contracts, hiring forms, borrowing and lending paperwork and much
more (over 60 legal forms WITH Instructions!) Think of all the money you'll save.
- Business Insurance
Do you need business insurance? Anything can happen in business, and you don't want to find yourself
unprotected. Find out exactly what kind of benefits you can get with a free quote before you make a
decision, the price may surprise you!
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