*07* Unless you are selling any merchandise that is subject to sales tax, you just need a business license and a fictitious business name reqistration. However, instead of an assumed business name certificate, you can form an llc, or incorporate which will be the most prudent choice for your legal structure ownership reqardless of whether you are a sole proprietor or a partnership, set up an llc to start. However, the most important step in starting your business is getting your business license, and if you you do not form an llc, get a dba doing business as registration, so you can legally start your business without legal licensing hassles. Based on the content and what you asked us about starting your business, here are some general legal information guidelines reqarding your business start up operation. We understand what you need and have all the license application forms you need to start your business legally. You case is easy because you are not employing any workers and you don't sell any taxable merchandise that requires some type of tax id to report and pay taxes. With that in mind, you need to apply for a fictitious business name. Then, because all business licenses are required to register for business taxes, you need to apply and get a business license. The trade name registration is required because you are using a fictitious business name. The purpose is to protect the public from fly by night companies that hide behind a DBA ( doing business as) to collect money and disappear. So the answer to the question above is that because you don't have any employees, and you are not dealing or selling any products or merchandise that requires the collections of sales tax, you only need a couple of business permits and tax ids to start. For example, you need to get a business license, also called a home occupation permit or simply a business occupational tax license. The business license is almost always required by at least one level of government whether that is the federal, state, county or city government. It is also called a federal registration, state professional license or tax registration, county premises inspection and licensing or municipal tax registration or permit as well as a business personal property tax on your business equipment. Other than that, you will need to file a DBA and register your business trade name if you use a fictitious business name doing business as (DBA) as your trade name. If you decide to be a partnership, you must identify it to the IRS with a business tax id number and that is a federal tax id number and you can, also, use it instead of you social security number to open a bank account. Finally, do it right right from the start. Get an LLC formation or Incorporate here online. Since you need to to register a fictitious business name because you use a trade name to operate and or promote your business, you need a fictitious business name registration. Instead of registering a fictitious business name, you can simply incorporate or form and LLC. The latter two protect your from lawsuits vs your personal assets such as your house, automobile and other precious personal property or real estate you might own. A DBA registration is required for your use of a trade name but does nothing to protect your personal assets nor does it protect the name that is registered. An LLC or Corporation at least protect the name at the state lever. I.e., other LLCs or Corporation cannot use your business name. A Fictitious business name does not protect your trade name against others who want to use in commerce. You can apply and get all licenses on this website. We have the lowest prices in the industry and we are quick and professional. |