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New York Business License

New York Business License

Thinking of starting your business in New York?  You have to know all the legal procedures that the state requires to run your business successfully. In this article, we will discuss topics such as: how to look up the NY business, the process of obtaining your business license, local and state requirements of licensure in New York, and more.

How do I look up a business in New York?

To look up a business in NY you can utilize the Corporation and Business Entity Database online search website. The tool will help you to find the business entity in New York by entering the business name, status type, search type, and click on the search button.

Do I need a business license in NY?

To establish your business in New York there are state, local and federal regulations you should follow. This guide will walk you through the main steps that should be taken in order to register and get your business licensed.

The first thing you probably want to know is whether you need a NY business license or not.

Well, it depends. The obligation of holding a business license will be based on your location and the type of work you do. The NY Department of State Division of Licensing Services issues state-level licensure for businesses working in certain occupations/professions. If one of the following professions/occupations are in the scope of your work you should obtain a state license:

  • Athletic trainers
  • Home inspectors
  • Real estate brokers
  • Barbers
  • Cosmetologists
  • And more

If your business is not in the above-mentioned professions, it doesn’t mean you are off the hook. You should head to your local municipality and check the license requirements your business will need.

Registering your business in New York State

Before applying for any type of license the legal entity of your business should be established. I have listed the key steps down below that will help you understand the process of registering your business in NY.

  • Choose a unique name for your business.
  • Determine your business structure. Your business can be an LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.
  • Appoint a registered agent. Every business forming in the state should have a registered agent who will receive legal paperwork on behalf of your company.
  • File the documents to form your business structure. If your business is going to be an LLC you should file the Articles of Organization with the Department of State. To form a corporation in NY, you will need to file the Certificate of Incorporation. The filing fee prices for forming a corporation start from $125 while the LLC business costs $200.
  • Obtain federal EIN from IRS. A nine-digit employer identification number is assigned to identify your business for tax purposes.
  • Purchase insurance policy. Depending on the location and the nature of your business you may also need to purchase general liability insurance and worker’s compensation (if you want to hire employees).
  • Register for sales tax Certificate of Authority. If your business will sell products or provide taxable services you should register for this certificate with the State Department of Taxation and Finance.

As soon as you take the above-mentioned steps you will be ready to apply for a NY business license. Next, we will discuss the process of business license application.

How to obtain a business license in NY?

Before applying for a license,  head to your local municipality to check the rules & regulations of licensure. You need to get familiar with both local and state requirements as rules of licensure may vary depending on the location and your business type. Here are several cities in the state that have the licensing requirements.

New York City Business License

To start your business in New York City you may need to obtain a business license. As the Department of Consumer Affairs states several industries should register in NYC according to the scope of the work. Businesses in car washes, locksmiths, tow trucks, or home improvement construction should apply for a license.

Buffalo Business License

The Buffalo Office of Licenses issues several licenses to businesses such as caterers, pawnbrokers, bakers, landscapers, collection agencies, etc.

Mary H

Mary H

Being a skilled creative writer and SEO content writer, with 2+ years of experience I can't imagine any other profession to fulfill my life as much as writing does. As a proud member of geek culture, I enjoy reading, writing, watching Sci-Fi gems, while also advocating the involvement of young, bright-minded girls and women in STEM research. Latter was largely the result of working at UNESCO Chair, Life Sciences International Postgraduate Educational Center as an editor of scientific journals.

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