What is a Business Tax Certificate?

Business Tax Certificate Business Tax Certificate

All businesses must obtain this Business Tax Certificate (business license). A business tax certificate is another term that describes a general business license as discussed below.
What is a Business Tax Certificate (business license)?

A Business Tax Certificate or business license is an official government business registration that authorizes your business to legally operate at the location. It does whether your business is a store, commercial, street, mobile, online or home business.

All business must obtain this Business Tax Certificate or business license - Including home, online or mobile busnesses. Home based businesses may need both a home occupation permit and a business license. If you order the business license from us and you need the home occupation permit, we will get both or either one for you.

Is This Business Tax Certificate or License a License Specific to My Type Of Business?

This Business Tax Certificate or business license is required for ANY business. It is a general business license that all businesses, including online internet home based businesses MUST obtain.

You don't need a specific type of business license. You need a Business License because you are a business, regardless of your type of business.

So, What Are The Factors That Determine a Business Tax Certificate or Business License Requirement?

A Business Tax Certificate or business license is issued based on one or more of the following factors: Gross business income, number of employees, business type, and business location (can be your home). Other determining factors may include the form of business ownership, such as sole proprietor or corporation. However, it is a general business license. It is not based on your type of business NOR does it matter what type, size, or location of your business. Whatever your type of business, and wherever you operate from, you will need to register your business with a general business license.

Example: Brad & Jolie start "Pick n' Choose," an online business from their Malibu, CA home selling stuff on the internet. Minimally, Brad & Jolie need to register the "Pick n' Choose," business name with a DBA business name, obtain a seller's permit because selling stuff is a taxable event, and obtain a Business Tax Certificate or business license because all business must obtain one. It does not matter whether they are consultants, contractors, a store, an online business or a home business. Not matter what the type, they need a general business license.

Business Tax Certificate or Business License vs. Vendor's License vs. Peddler's License

A peddler's license is the equivelant of a business license. A business license is issued to home, online, or brick and mortar companies. On the other hand, a peddler's license, in most states, is required for businesses that go door to door, sell on the streets or generally are a business that does not have a certain location.
Sometimes, a peddler's License is confused with a vendor's license because some states use the same term, i.e., vendor's license, for peddler's license and in some cases vendor's license is used for business license.
However, as opposed to a vendor's license and a business license, a peddler's license is strictly for a business that it has no fixed location. A vendor's license could be for a fixed location and sometimes a vendor's license could be like a peddler's license for a business that sells, offers for sale, or solicit orders for goods or services upon the streets, sidewalks, or alleys.

The question may arise as to whether you need one or more of these license.
The answer is that whichever one you order, it is the same price and we will get you the correct one based on the state you doing business and your type of business as discussed on this article.

I Have a Federal EIN Tax ID Number.
Isn't That a Business License?

A Federal Tax ID EIN is not an LLC or a business license. Note: A Business License is NOT a Seller's Permit License, a Business Name Certificate, a Corporation or LLC, a Federal Tax ID Number, or State Employer Tax ID EIN.

Obtaining a business license registration is a separate business tax registration type and most businesses must register and have a general business license before starting business. Actually, a federal tax ID is not even required if you are a sole proprietor except if you are a sole proprietor employer. A federal tax ID is not anything but a federal employer number that can be use as a business tax number but it does not replace a business license or any other document discussed on this site.

I Formed an LLC or Corporation. Isn't that a Business License?

Forming an LLC or Incorporating, i.e., setting up a corporation, or forming an LLC, is not the same legal process as being licensed to do business. A corporation or LLC is your business tax structure; It is not a license or tax ID.

All corporations, LLC's, partnerships, and sole proprietors are required to get a general business license. Government agencies can fine or close a business operating without the required general business licenses.

How Can I Get a Business License?

You can obtain it, here, online.

1. Click On The Get It Now Link Below

2. Submit Your Business Information

3. Then Select State & Then Business License

Get It Now

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost is $49.00.

How Long Does It Take?

1-5 Business Days Depending On Where You Are Located.

Do I Need Just One Business License?

In a some cases, jurisdictions require that you get multiple licenses that are issued by multiple government departments and agencies.

For example, if you sell firearms, you will need a license from the federal, state, county and city government but this is very rare.

However, in addition to a business license, you need other types of licenses and registrations such as a seller's permit if you sell taxable merchandise and a DBA business name if you use a trade name. Furthermore, you will need a federal EIN and a State EIN if you will hire employees.

Do I Need A License Specific to My Business?

In 99% of the cases, you will not need another specific license to your type of business. You only a general business license.

On the other hand, if you are an architect, lawyer, doctor, electrician and any other learned trade professional such as a structural engineer, you will need a professional license AND a general business license.

However, you may need other type of licenses and registrations such as a seller's permit if you sell taxable merchandise and a DBA business name if you use a trade name.

What Else Do I Need Besides a General Business License?

In most cases, both a DBA Trade Name and a Business License Permit are required and there may be civil liability and or criminal penalties for not registering a DBA or not getting a business license. In addition to a general business license, there are other business licenses that are more like tax registrations that are required, such as a seller's permit, if you sell taxable items, or a business name certificate, but the laws vary between federal, county, state, and local communities and or municipalities.

Business License FAQS Videos

All Businesses need a Business License and or a Home Occupation Permit:
When you order a business license from us we will obtain a business license, or a home occupation permit - - OR if you need both, we will obtain both the business license and the home occupation permit for the price of the business license. Business registration is required in virtually all jurisdictions.
A business license can be a business registration, but many jurisdictions require further licenses beyond registration.
The business type, its gross income, the number of employees, and physical location (address) determines most license requirements.
Other determining factors may include the form of business ownership, such as sole proprietor or corporation.

Business License / Tax Registration: How Long Does It Take?

In some cases, we can obtain a business license on the same day you order it. However, in most cases the time it takes, varies but average time is 4-8 business days but could take longer in some states. In some states, we file on the same day we receive your order; however, note that it may take a few days for the gov't to mail you the certificate.

REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE

IMPORTANT:
First select your business entity. Entities: Sole Proprietor, LLC, Corporation or Partnership.

All Businesses , Regardless of Type, Need a Business License.

All Businesses Using a Trade Name, Need a DBA

Retailers/Wholesalers, Need a Seller's Permit.

Employers Need a Federal Tax Id Number EIN State Tax Number EIN.

Corporations, & LLCs Need a Federal Tax Id Number.

Partnerships Need a Federal Tax Id Number and a DBA.

Sole Proprietors Can Use a Federal Tax Id Number as a Business Tax ID.

Instead of filing a DBA, You CanIncorporate or form an LLC

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