{"id":3703,"date":"2018-10-01T10:42:33","date_gmt":"2018-10-01T14:42:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/?p=3703"},"modified":"2023-09-15T14:25:46","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T18:25:46","slug":"what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business-6-frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business-6-frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"What Licenses Do You Need to Start a Business? 6 Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"media\">\n<div class=\"media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3706\" src=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/blog-what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/blog-what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/blog-what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/blog-what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/blog-what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business-480x251.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve done your research and laid out your strategy, and the time is looking good for launching your business. So how do you make your vision a reality? Figuring out what steps you need to take and which regulations apply to your venture can be a challenge, especially in the age of online sales and remote employees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help you sort it out, we asked our compliance teams to provide answers to the six most common questions entrepreneurs ask about forming, registering, and licensing their businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>1. Do I need to license a home-based business?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In many cases, you can do business under your own name without forming a business entity, yet you may still need to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/business-license\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">apply for business licenses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and permits based on your location and activities. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoning and licensing requirements are set by state, county, and local jurisdictions, making it difficult to determine which regulations apply to a home-based business. If you rent, start by checking your lease, which likely outlines permissible use. If you own your property, then contact each jurisdiction, starting locally. Sometimes the licenses are obvious, as in the case of the District of Columbia\u2019s Home Occupation Permit, and sometimes it takes some digging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One disadvantage of operating without forming a separate business entity is that the business\u2019s financial and legal liabilities are yours as well. If your business is sued or loses money, your personal assets and credit are at risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>2. What are the steps for forming a business?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Establishing a business entity can limit your personal liability, save you money on taxes, and set the stage for more complex ownership arrangements and hiring employees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step in forming your business is to choose a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/whichentitychoose\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">structure<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many new small businesses, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/limited-liability-company\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">limited liability company (LLC)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the most advantageous choice. In addition to providing important legal protection, LLCs are inexpensive to start and easy to run, and they allow you to save money on taxes with pass-through taxation. Businesses may also be formed as a sole proprietorship or general partnership, but you lose the legal and tax advantages of an LLC. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/incorporation\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incorporation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is typically suited for more complex ownership and investment structures. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll also need to<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> research <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/business-entity-search\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">entity name requirements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and availability in your state. Some states restrict use of certain words or require inclusion of specific <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/company-suffixes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suffixes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, you\u2019ll file formation documents with the appropriate state agency, usually the secretary of state. As part of this process, you will need to appoint a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/registered-agent\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">registered agent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to receive legal documents and important notices from the state on your company\u2019s behalf. (Here\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/5-factors-to-consider-when-choosing-a-registered-agent\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">why you\u2019ll want to appoint a professional agent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once the state department approves your filing, your business is officially established.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>3. Do I have to register for taxes?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on your activities, you may need to apply for a federal <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/what-is-an-ein\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">employer identification number (EIN)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The IRS publishes helpful guidelines regarding <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tax.findlaw.com\/federal-taxes\/is-a-tax-id-required-for-my-business-.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when an EIN is required<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. &nbsp;You may also need to register for a variety of taxes at the federal, state, and local levels depending on your location and business activities. Potential taxes include sales and use, income and privilege, payroll, and self employment taxes, among others. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you sell goods that are taxable within a given state, you will need to apply for a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/register-sales-use-tax-license-permit\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">state sales tax license<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sales tax generally applies to tangible goods and certain services. In addition, you may need specific licenses to sell regulated products such as alcohol and tobacco.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We can help you with registering for taxes in any jurisdiction. Simply <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/contact\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get in touch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and we\u2019ll handle the paperwork for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>4. What do I need to do to start operating in another state, or work across state lines?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So your business<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is expanding, and word is getting out, and suddenly you have opportunities to serve clients in other states. What do you need to do? You may need to register to do business in the new state as an out-of-state or \u201cforeign\u201d company, a process known as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/foreign-qualification\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">foreign qualification<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Whether or not you need to register will depend on factors such as how much business you\u2019re doing in the state, the types of activities you\u2019re engaged in, the frequency of activities, and a host of other considerations. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you hire remote employees, generally they are employed in the state where they physically work, so you\u2019ll need to research the requirements in their state of residence and potentially foreign qualify there. In addition, you may need to register for payroll taxes, among other requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another potential trigger to beware of is acquiring assets such as offices or other facilities in another state, which may require foreign qualification. You may also be required to license or register your business before advertising your services or submitting proposals or bids to residents in a new state.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In any state where <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you have office locations or employees, collect sales tax, or have other state tax obligations, you\u2019ll probably also need to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">register for taxes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>5. If I\u2019m doing business online, do I have to register? If so, where?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, it makes sense to form an online business in the state where the owner lives and works. Unless you\u2019re involved in other activities that require foreign qualification such as offices or employees in other states, offering products and services over the internet alone generally doesn\u2019t require foreign qualification. However, you may be required to collect sales tax.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/register-an-online-business\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">read more about registering an online business<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in our prior blog post.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>6. What licenses are required for my business?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to registering your business, you may be required to apply for separate business licenses at the state, county, or local level. Our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/business-license\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online business licensing guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> breaks down the requirements in all 50 states and provides links to licensing authorities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, many professions require <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/business-licensing-service\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">professional licenses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for individual practitioners and their firms. Examples include pharmaceuticals, architecture, engineering, construction, childcare, real estate, finance, and nonprofits. The requirements vary widely from state to state, so it\u2019s important to check state regulations carefully if you are working in a regulated industry. Don\u2019t assume that a license is not required in a new state based on your experiences elsewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Takeaway<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By building your business on a secure, compliant foundation, you can avoid costly disruptions, safeguard your business\u2019s reputation, and set the stage for future profitability and growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you would like to enjoy the benefits of compliance without wading through the paperwork, we get you. We can get you there and provide cloud-based software to make maintaining your new business a cinch. Just give us a call, 1-888-995-4895, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/contact\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get in touch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. We\u2019re glad to help.<\/span><\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ve done your research and laid out your strategy, and the time is looking good for launching your business. So how do you make your vision a reality? Figuring out what steps you need to take and which regulations apply to your venture can be a challenge, especially in the age of online sales and remote employees.<\/p>\n<p>To help you sort it out, we asked our compliance teams to provide answers to the six most common questions entrepreneurs ask about forming, registering, and licensing their businesses.<\/p>\n<p>1. Do I need to license a home-based business?<\/p>\n<p>In many cases, you can do business under your own name without forming a business entity, yet you may still need to apply for business licenses and permits based on your location and activities. Zoning and licensing requirements are set by state, county, and local jurisdictions, making it &#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business-6-frequently-asked-questions\/\">Read More<\/a><!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":3704,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[325,137],"class_list":["post-3703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-compliance","tag-business-formation","tag-business-licensing"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Licenses Do You Need to Start a Business? 6 Frequently Asked Questions | Harbor Compliance Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business-6-frequently-asked-questions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Licenses Do You Need to Start a Business? 6 Frequently Asked Questions | Harbor Compliance Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You\u2019ve done your research and laid out your strategy, and the time is looking good for launching your business. So how do you make your vision a reality? Figuring out what steps you need to take and which regulations apply to your venture can be a challenge, especially in the age of online sales and remote employees. To help you sort it out, we asked our compliance teams to provide answers to the six most common questions entrepreneurs ask about forming, registering, and licensing their businesses. 1. Do I need to license a home-based business? In many cases, you can do business under your own name without forming a business entity, yet you may still need to apply for business licenses and permits based on your location and activities. Zoning and licensing requirements are set by state, county, and local jurisdictions, making it ... Read More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business-6-frequently-asked-questions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Harbor Compliance Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/HarborCompliance\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-10-01T14:42:33+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-09-15T18:25:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/blog-what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business-thumb.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"557\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"557\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Betsy Gonzalez\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@HarborComply\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@HarborComply\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Betsy Gonzalez\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business-6-frequently-asked-questions\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/what-licenses-do-you-need-to-start-a-business-6-frequently-asked-questions\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Betsy Gonzalez\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/cb8651b8e57f740a75feb7026f5e908b\"},\"headline\":\"What Licenses Do You Need to Start a Business? 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So how do you make your vision a reality? Figuring out what steps you need to take and which regulations apply to your venture can be a challenge, especially in the age of online sales and remote employees. To help you sort it out, we asked our compliance teams to provide answers to the six most common questions entrepreneurs ask about forming, registering, and licensing their businesses. 1. Do I need to license a home-based business? In many cases, you can do business under your own name without forming a business entity, yet you may still need to apply for business licenses and permits based on your location and activities. Zoning and licensing requirements are set by state, county, and local jurisdictions, making it ... 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