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Starting a business in the Lone Star state? Here’s everything you need to take your business from “bright idea” to bustling business.
Creating a successful small business requires equal parts inspiration and perspiration. Once you’ve decided on the type of business you want to start, it requires some paperwork to make your dreams a reality. Understanding Texas’s requirements for small businesses will help ensure you don’t miss a thing.
In order to make your business official in the eyes of Texas, you need to form your business as an entity. The Texas Secretary of State can help you navigate common questions and concerns around filing, and they make it easy to file a certificate of formation online.
If you have more questions regarding filing a business entity, visit the Texas Secretary of State’s FAQ page.
All employers who have employees must be assigned an EIN (or Employer Tax ID) from the Internal Revenue Service.
Businesses operating in Texas must register for additional identification numbers, licenses, or permits for tax purposes, outlined in the Texas Comptroller’s General Tax Information and Forms.
You’ll need to determine and apply for the required licenses and permits for your specific business. Businesses that sell/rent goods or provide taxable services will need a Sales Tax Permit. Because permit requirements vary so widely by industry, the Texas Business Permit Office has put together a guide outlining the requirements for each industry—from 1-900 numbers to construction to bingo parlors (and everything in between).
The permits required in your local government area may vary. You’ll want to check with your local city, county, and/or municipality for any additional required permits. Some of the most common required permits include:
In addition to the national laws barring discrimination, Texas has 2 additional anti-discrimination statutes.
Protects against discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, and disability for employers with more than 15 employees.
Protects against discrimination based on workers’ compensation claim history, applies to employees and not applicants.
You’re almost there! The final step in setting up your business is to determine the federal and state employer requirements.