Starting a Business? 

         Start Your Business Today!       

 Required  Business Permits & Licenses   Fees

---

These rules apply to ALL States & ALL businesses:

Starting a Business in California

California Business Start-Up Checklist

• All businesses need these licenses                                         

  • Including online Websites, ebay, home, Sole Owners, partnerships, corporations, or any other business.  

    All Businesses are  required to obtain  a  Business Licence -   (Note: A corporation, LLC or DBA Registering is NOT a Business Licence Registering).

   Businesses using a  name other than the owner's name  are required to Apply, Register & Get a DBA  

    Businesses that are Employers are required to obtain a  State Tax Id  (EIN) and a Federal Tax Id  (FEIN) 

   Wholesalers / retailers of taxable goods / services need a  Seller's  Permit

  Corporations or LLCs are required to obtain a Federal Tax Id  (FEIN)   and a  Business Licence. 

• NOTE: Sole owners can use a federal tax id to build business credit     

• Partnerships and LLCs should Have an Operating Agreement

• Fees 

• How Long Does it Take?

• Table of Req'd Documents 

Back to Top

 

Start Your Business Today!

• Business Licence - All Businesses are required to obtain a Business Licence.

  •  (Note: A corporation, LLC or  DBA Registering is NOT a Business Licence Registering).

• DBA, Business Name Certificate - All Businesses that use a business name other than the owner's personal or legal name are required to Apply, Register & Get a DBA.

Expedite it!   Fees  How Long Does it Take?

•  (NOTE: (1) You need a DBA, business name certificate to open a bank account and  obtain insurance or other licenses. (2) You are NOT required to obtain a DBA in KS, MS, or TN . (3) In some states, you need a Business Licence  before you can obtain a DBA, Business Name Certificate )  

• Seller's Permit - All Businesses that are Retailers or Wholesalers of taxable goods or services are required to obtain a Seller's Permit, resale, reseller's, wholesale License. Fees  How Long Does it Take?

  • (NOTE: You are NOT required to obtain a Reseller's License in AK, MO, NH, or OR - in these states, use a federal tax id instead) In all other states, you cannot legally start selling without this permit.  Also, this Permit is required IN ADDITION to a Business Licence (Corporations & LLCs are required to have it as well). Back to Top

• State Employer Tax Id EIN - All Businesses that are employers are required to obtain a State Employer Tax Id EIN and a federal employer tax id FEIN. Fees  How Long Does it Take?

  • ( Note: You need a federal tax id before you can obtain a state tax id - Corporations & LLCs are included) Back to Top

• Federal Tax Id FEIN - All Businesses that are Employers, Corporations, LLCs, or Ltd partnerships  are required to obtain a Federal Tax Id FEIN.

  • Note that sole owners may obtain this business id number as well  and use it (instead of a SS#) to open a business bank account as well as use it to  build business credit.  Back to Top

• Corporation  OR  LLC   - Recommended to reduce taxes, obtain corporate credit, protect assets, and eliminate personal legal, civil and financial liability. Expedite it!  Fees  How Long Does it Take?

  • Note that all corporations and LLCs must also have a federal tax id AND  a Business Licence  as well as a seller's permit if selling taxable items and  a state ein if it has employees.  Back to Top