How To Register Your Small Business In Texas
As part of its business friendly approach the state of texas and many cities and towns in the state do not mandate a general business license.
How to register your small business in texas. Determine the appropriate legal structure of the business and file the business name with the state or county. This state doesn t require a general business license. Decide on a business structure. Assuming you ve already worked out your business idea how you re going to fund your company and have at least done a simple business plan these are the steps for starting a business in texas. If you decide to incorporate register with the secretary of state s office sos.
Register your texas business. Obtain your federal employer identification number. Business entity registration forms and application 5 doing business as dba. Protection from personal liability in the event your business is sued. Individuals and unincorporated entities that do business using an assumed name often referred to as a dba must file an assumed name certificate with the county clerk in each county in which business premises are maintained.
After you register a business in texas apply for the necessary licenses and permits. Registering your texas company as a legal business entity such as an llc or a corporation has two major advantages. Contact the business permit office to find out more about licensing requirements. Afterward you must register that name for your business whether you re going to reserve it file for a business with it or file for an assumed name using our step by step instructions. To register a business name in texas you must first check to make sure your name is available by doing a taxable entity search a domain name search and a federal trademark search.
Pick a business name. Before you can do that though you have to figure out what type of business structure you want to form. Then you can read our detailed guide on naming your business. Your next major task is going to be registering your business with the state of texas. An llc s corp c corp or sole proprietorship.
For most small businesses registering an llc is a great option. Texas law does not provide for registration of a business s trade name whether that business is incorporated or unincorporated. In general sole proprietorships and partnerships need to register with the county clerk s office. Businesses which operate as corporations limited liability companies llc a partnership either limited or limited liability or who are a non profit organization need to register with the state.