Business Loan Options Blog

Unfortunately, beginning a small business is not as simple as opening a door. In order to legally operate your new business, there are several permits and licenses that you will need to obtain.
Here, you will find a guide to what licenses you need and how to obtain them.

The local license is perhaps the easiest business license to obtain. This is simply stating that you are allowed to run business in the area. To apply for a local license, you will need to visit your city hall and fill out paperwork. The fee is usually small, but it will need to be renewed once a year.
Many different business types will need to be covered by state law, and you will have to apply for a state license. State licenses are required for many different things from beauticians to doctors to restaurants that serve alcohol.

To determine what type of state license you will need, contact your government office or visit your local library. Once you have pinned down what type of state license you need, if any, you will be able to contact the correct department and obtain an application.

Certain businesses will need a federal license. These businesses are few, but if you will be running a company that falls into a federal category, you will need to apply for and obtain the license. You can determine whether or not you need a federal license by researching it online or in a library.
If you will be selling anything, as in a retail business, you will need a sales tax license so that you can correctly charge tax on your products. You will need to contact your state’s sales tax board to know how to apply and obtain your license.

Finally, states and localities may require for you to obtain a certain business permit. These permits will need to be applied for with the correct office under which they fall. The types of permits include: building, seller’s, health, zoning, and home occupation permits.

If you have questions about what licenses and permits you need, you can consult a lawyer or your chamber of commerce. Make sure that you know about each type of license you will need before you begin to operate your business.