How To Obtain a Business License?

If you are planning your own business, then you should deal with all the most important aspects involved. Take an in-depth look at all the licenses you need to take at all the government levels to make your business legal. The license obtained for your business makes sure that your business runs safely and avoid hefty fines.

What is a Business License?

Generally, a business license is nothing but a tax certificate given by the government, allowing you to do the business legally at a particular location. The business license depends on various factors like the type of business, location, and business needs.

How to Get the Business License?

Obtaining a business license is not very expensive nor time-consuming. There is a particular procedure to follow to get the license for your business.

1. Know the Local Requirements

First, you need to find out the location of the business you are planning to start. You need to get a permit from the city where you are starting the business. Each city has its database of the business listings. You can also get the required information from the Small Business Administration(SBA).

2. Find out the Codes for the Business

Different types of business require various business codes. The application for the business license also changes according to the code. Check out for the business license information site for more details. Whenever you are searching for a particular business type on your city website, you can get the required form directly from the site.

3. Locate the Forms and Fill Them

You need to find out the required forms according to the code or city you are about to start the business. To get the forms you can download from the relevant city website or go to the city hall to pick the forms in person. It also needs to obtain some special permits depending on your business and services. Fill all the required forms by hand or online. You need to give the general information about the company like

• Name of the company
• Business Address
• Name of the owner
• Contact Information
• Federal ID number
• The number of Employees etc.,

4. File the Forms and Pay the Fee

After filling the required forms, file the forms online or by a person in your city’s financial department. You need to pay according to the type of submission you are doing. The fee changes depending on the city and also there is a processing fee.

5. Receive the License

The time taken for processing your license application can vary depending on the city, type of license you applied. For any corporation, the time taken is about two weeks. Some cities require that the person has to collect the license by hand.

Licenses to be obtained at Different Levels

1. License at Federal Level

Licenses for producing Alchohol, Transporting of animals, opening commercial fishery or gunshop require the permission from the federal level.

2. State and Local Level

There are about 50 states in the United States, so there are different laws regarding permits and licensing. There are some consistencies in the laws like the alcohol control board for every state, and you need to get permission to demolish a building, etc.

License Types

License or Permit types change with the state or cities. But there are some licenses common for most of the cities or states.

• Land Use and Construction Permit
• Alcohol License
• Industry Specific licenses and certifications
• Natural Resource Licenses

Conclusion

Getting a License to operate a business is very important. Some try to stake through by not taking the necessary licenses or permits. By doing so, you would be leaving yourself in big trouble and inviting more fines and legal liability from the government. The licensing process could be time-consuming and complicated, but make sure to take a license before starting, having trouble in obtaining a license for your business? Contact Bizlic (Corp-n-Biz Recorders) to get your licensing work done.

We provide different licenses, permits and taxation services to open, close and maintain a business. Get in touch with us to know more details.