Business Licenses, Permits, & Tax Registrations: An Overview

Before a business can legally start operating, it needs to take care of a number of pesky requirements with governmental agencies. Finding out what you need can be like putting together a jigsaw puzzle without knowing what it should look like.

Nearly all businesses in operation today are required to have one or more licenses, permits, or tax registrations to ensure that they meet government-mandated guidelines for safety, soundness, and tax. Additionally, if a business has employees or sells taxable goods or services, it needs to be registered with relevant taxing authorities. These requirements vary by industry and depend on how and where the business operates.

Who Issues Business Licenses, Permits, & Tax Registrations?

Business licenses and permits are issued at all levels of government -- federal, state, and local (county, city, town, or municipality). If, for example, you decide to open a restaurant in the city of Atlanta, you will need to obtain all the necessary licenses and permits from the city of Atlanta, the state of Georgia, and the federal government. You will most likely need (among other possibilities) a federal tax ID number from the IRS, a license to sell alcoholic beverages from the state of Georgia, an ID number to collect sales tax and withhold payroll taxes from the state of Georgia, a health permit from the city of Atlanta (to prepare and sell food), as well as a basic business license from the city of Atlanta to operate the restaurant within the city.

There are over 70,000 separate licensing jurisdictions in the United States and each has its own particular licensing requirements.

What Types of Business Licenses, Permits, & Tax Registrations Does a Business Need?

Which Licenses & Permits does my Business Need?

Our Business License Compliance Package is the key to compliance. It provides all the license, permit, and tax registration applications required for your business.

The Package includes:

• An overview of the licenses, permits, and tax registrations required for your business
• Licensing authority contact information, including name, address, telephone number, etc.
• The actual license, permit, and tax registration applications and associated documents

Get a Business License Compliance Package or call us at 1-800-679-3611 to inquire about our Full Service.

Why Am I Applying for All These Licenses?

The various permit and license requirements for businesses have three main purposes:

• To identify your business and make sure you're accountable for your actions
• To protect the public health and safety, and
• To keep track of your finances for tax purposes.

Pitfalls of Not Being Licensed

With pressure against raising traditional taxes, municipalities are always on the lookout for alternative revenue streams, which means ever increased vigilance for business license evaders. Many even resort to hiring third party collectors. The pitfalls of not being licensed include:

• You cannot open your new location
• You cannot add the item, service, or structure
• Your location will be padlocked
• You may be hit with costly penalties and interest, or even personal liens 

HOW TO GET YOUR BUSINESS LICENSE