What
do I need to do to start a business in Ohio?
The first thing you need to do to start a business
is register your business. Corporations, professional
corporations, limited liability companies, and all
partnerships must register with the Ohio Secretary
of State in order to operate in Ohio. Most businesses
regardless of form, including employers and those
that collect sales tax, will also need to register
with the Department of Taxation.
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THE Link TO YOUR CITY BELOW TO APPLY FOR A BUSinESS
LICENSE |
Do I need to get a business license for Ohio?
There is no one generic business license that all
businesses must have, but Ohio does require that certain
types of businesses and professions be licensed by
the state. Licensing for these businesses is done
by a variety state agencies, the most common being
the Department of Commerce. Ohio also has several
occupational licensing boards that oversee the licensing
of certain professionals. You can check whether your
business needs a license at the Ohio Business Gateway
website at http://business.ohio.gov/licensing/.
Are there any local license requirements?
Some cities and municipalities require that businesses
also obtain local licenses and permits in addition
to meeting state requirements. Some business licenses
are issued by the county where the business is located.
For example, vendor licenses which are needed to sell
any type of tangible good are often issued by the
county and not the city where your business is located.
It's best to always check with your local city and
county business divisions to find out what local licenses
your business needs to have.
What type of information do I need to register
my business or get a license?
The information request varies by application, but
there are certain things that almost all business
applications in Ohio request. These include:
- Name of business
- Business address and contact information
- Nature and purpose of business
- Name of owners, partners, or officers of the business
- Your Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
available from the IRS or your social security number
If your occupation is regulated by the state, you
may need to provide additional information about your
business activities. For local licenses, you will
usually need to also provide documentation that you
have fulfilled all state licensing requirements prior
to applying for the city or county license.
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Disclaimer: This site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or tax advise. The information on this site should not be relied upon as an official source of information and should be independently verified. |
