Start Your Business

Starting Your Own Business

Starting your business requires submitting formation documents, tax registrations, and other appropriate documents to government agencies.

State legislators make changes to business codes every year. As government agencies update their forms, processes, and fees, it is important to stay on top of what is required of you to start your business.

The Business Registration Process

Business owners sometimes colloquially call the business registration process “becoming official”. It is an important part of establishing the foundation for your business. You are required to register your business when you become involved in business transactions such as soliciting payment or hiring employees. In addition, registration can provide you with important benefits such as limited liability, name protection, and saving money on your taxes.

To boil it down, the process looks like this:

• Choose and file your business name
• Choose an entity structure (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship, etc.)
• Get a federal tax ID from the IRS
• Get state and local tax IDs
• Get any necessary business licenses
• Set up your business records
• Open a business bank account

How Harbor Compliance Can Help

Let us help you prepare and file the paperwork to start your business. We will help you every step of the way: from choosing a structure to understanding the registrations required and completing the government paperwork. When you work with us, you will:

• Save hundreds on business formation compared to hiring an attorney
• Save hours of research preparing and filing the government forms on your own
• Enjoy the convenient support of one of our filing specialists

Keep reading to learn more about our services and software.

Business Compliance Solutions

Annual Reports. Annual report compliance requires expertise and attention throughout the year. Our Managed Annual Report Service provides timely and accurate annual report filing, saving you time and ensuring good standing.

Business Licensing. Your business can face fines, closures, delays, and other penalties without the correct licenses. Spare your business the time, expense, and potential mistakes by looking to our team of compliance experts.

Foreign Qualification. Foreign qualification refers to registering your business or nonprofit outside its state of formation. The state will issue a certificate of authority that documents your authorization to transact business in the state. We complete the entire foreign qualification process for you.

Registered Agent. A registered agent is a business’s legal appointee to receive notice of lawsuit and other legal or government notices. Powered by our advanced compliance software, our nationwide registered agent service brings exceptional security and efficiency to multi-state organizations.

Business Compliance Software

Entity Manager. Entity Manager provides complete visibility into entity and compliance status by providing access to your registered agent service and automating annual reports and compliance tracking.

License Manager. Powered by our proprietary LicenseIQ™ research engine, License Manager simplifies the process of researching, applying for, managing, and renewing your licenses.

Records Manager. Records Manager tracks ownership and leadership for corporations, nonprofits, and LLCs. The functionality is specific to the type of entity.

Tax Manager. With Tax Manager, track federal, state, and local tax registrations and exemptions, store payroll, sales, and corporate income tax accounts, and readily access tax identification numbers and critical information.

It can be a daunting process, especially for the first-time entrepreneur. After you are up and running, we can also help you learn how to administer your new business structure.

Stay Compliant

Harbor Compliance specializes in complex licensing and entity management for brands with a nationwide U.S. presence. At every phase of the corporate lifecycle, we cut through the complexity and safeguard your compliance so you can move forward with confidence. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you start your business.