Obtain Your Small Business License
and Your Ready to Go!

Usually, the various buildings and offices where you obtain various business permits are located at the same business complex, in the county you reside in, except for a business license, that you have to get at your local City Hall. The procedures for obtaining these permits are usually as follows but may differ from state to state:

• Decide what will be the legal structure of your business: usually a sole proprietorship, but it can also be a partnership, or a corporation. You will need to know which one it is (it's your choice) before applying for your business permits.

• Purchase a business license at your City Hall.

• It would probably be a very good idea if you also open a business checking and savings account at a bank or credit union. These accounts should be used exclusively for your business. Personally, I tend to have more confidence in credit unions rather than regular banks but that's your call. A phone dedicated for business purposes is a good idea also.

• Then you need to register a business name with your state. This name is sometimes called "Doing Business As" or "DBA". While at the state agency, register for state income tax, if necessary, and obtain a sales tax number.

• At the Federal Building, obtain a federal tax identification number from the Internal Revenue Service, to register you and your business for federal income tax.

If you are selling only used goods that you buy at garage sales and flea markets, you may not need some business permits. However, if you plan on buying products at wholesale companies to resell, and if the state you sell from charges sales tax, you will also need a sales tax number mentioned above.

With a sales tax number, you can even buy antiques and collectibles at antique shops without paying the sales tax as long as you eventually plan to resell them. Once you obtain a number, you can buy products at wholesale companies online, as well as at such places as Home Depot, Sam's Club, and Costco without paying any sales tax.

If you still have questions, try going to the Web and searching irs.gov and sba.gov for more information. The small business administration has, not only information on small business permits that you will need, specific for your state, but a wealth of info on starting a small business. They even offer a mentor program and training in small business start-up. As far as I know, it's all free!