What is a business license
A business license is permission from your city, county, state, or the federal government for your business to operate.
Whether you’re anecommerce business, sell through a brick-and-mortar storefront, or offer your products or services both ways, you’ll need a license or permit to operate. In fact, sometimes you’ll need more than one.
Issued by cities or counties, states, and, for businesses in select industries (such as import/export businesses), the federal government, these government documents assure consumers that your business is safe for the public.
Having a business license for many industries whenstarting a businessis not optional—it’s required. Failing to complete this important step when you’re starting a business can leave you open to fines and other penalties. Here’s what you need to know about getting your required business licenses or permits.
Types of business licenses
There are many different business licenses and permits, both those that are general to a broad set of businesses and those that are specific to the type of work you do. Health permits, for example, are required of business owners who sell food and drink. Lawyers, doctors, and architects must have professional licenses. Based on your business activity, you may need more than one business license or permit.
For example, if you plan to open a bookshop, you will likely need a general retail business license along with a seller’s permit and/or a sales tax permit. However, if you also plan to host events in your bookshop where you sell food and alcohol, you may need to obtain additional licenses, such as a liquor license, a food handler’s license, a health permit, and a live events license.
Types of business licenses include:
- State and local operating licenses.These are licenses that give you the OK to operate your business in a particular city or state. Not every state requires a state-specific license. Instead, you would need a local license, which comes from the local city or town government where your business operates.
- “Doing business as” license or permit.If your business is set up as a sole proprietorship or a partnership, your legal name will automatically be considered the name of your business. If you want your business to operate under a different name, you can get a doing business as (DBA) license.
- Specialty licenses.Certain types of businesses need different permits and licenses. If your state collects sales tax, you’ll need a seller’s permit. If your business will sell alcohol, you’ll need a liquor license. You might need a professional license if you’re a service provider like a lawyer, plumber, child care provider, hair stylist or accountant.
- Federal licenses.If you work in an industry regulated by the federal government, such as businesses that import or export goods across international borders, you will need a specific license or permit from the feds, as well.
How do I get a business license?
Before you get licensed, you’ll first need to take a few steps to form your business entity, as having an EIN is a prerequisite for getting a business license. Here’s how:
- Pick your business structure—sole proprietorshipor limited liability company (LLC), for example—and complete the necessary steps to establish it.
- 文件给你employer identification number (EIN). This is your business’ federal tax ID. Unless you’re a sole proprietor, working with your Social Security number instead, you’ll need your EIN to complete any paperwork for your licenses or permits.
- Do your research. To find out what type of business license or permits you need, check with your local secretary of state office, department of revenue, or department of consumer affairs. You want the local government and state licensing agencies that register businesses where you live. Alocal Small Business Development Center, run by the US Small Business Administration, is a great resource.
- Apply with the appropriate government agencies for your license(s). You may be able to submit your requests online; in other instances—if you’re opening a brick-and-mortar shop and need a zoning permit, for example—you may have to collect specific forms in person.