Is a Business License required in Austin? (Tool: sales, home)

[CptnRn]

In another forum I read that a business license is required in some Cities in order to operate any kind of business. I don't think that is the case in Austin, except when there is a state law requiring a liscense or registration for something like a barber or beautician, or engineer.

Are there any business licenses required by the City to open a business in Austin?

[capcat]

You need to file to get a dba, which is a small fee and a search that there are no other businesses with the name of your business. The bank will also ask for that and your EIN to open a business checking account.

[atlanta hope]

City of Austin - Frequently asked Questions

Do I need a business license?

The City of Austin does not require a business license unless it involves taxi’s or other specialized activities. These can be found in title VIII of the city code, Volume I.

To find City Code.

When you get there, if you choose the frame version when you get there, the Table of Contents (TOC) is in the left frame. The TOC will expand wherever you click the (+) signs in front of it. When you get to a section you are interested in click on it and the text will show in the right frame.

You can search from the “Quick Search” box at the top or more complex searches from the “Search Form” tab or “Advanced Search” box. You can also download chapters of the code from the “Tools” box.

If you are considering a business in the home be aware that there are regulations governing that. Please see home occupations.

[BentBow]

If you do business under your own name and your Social Security number, you can get around a lot of overhead cost. The bad part if you get sued....

If you want to name a business, with payments written to the business name, you will need to DBA that name, and get a Tax Payers ID # This will allow you to open a bank account, to deposit checks and cash received. The bad part if you get sued.

Now incorporate, LLC, and other personal protection is really the way to go.

There is no Business License.

[readymade]

Originally Posted by BentBow

If you do business under your own name and your Social Security number, you can get around a lot of overhead cost. The bad part if you get sued....

If you want to name a business, with payments written to the business name, you will need to DBA that name, and get a Tax Payers ID # This will allow you to open a bank account, to deposit checks and cash received. The bad part if you get sued.

Now incorporate, LLC, and other personal protection is really the way to go.

There is no Business License.

To do an LLC, it costs $800/year, fyi.

Here's a question: we had a small business in California. It was an LLC, which we've since dissolved. We did a DBA in California & had a tax payer's ID# there as well.

We moved here in August and are continuing to run our small business. Do we need to do anything/know anything?

[atlanta hope]

My LLC was $375, guess it's different depending on who you get to do it.

[ILikeSmartHippies]

I thought the actual government fees of LLC are less than $150. The rest is paperwork prep cost for whatever agency is used. ??

[mimimomx3]

Can you have an LLC from another state and operate that LLC in a state that already has a business with the same LLC? If I have a company called Dell, LLC from NY and move to Texas, can I still call it Dell, LLC?

[BentBow]

Uhhhh...


Are you paying sales tax? Comptroller?

If you are based(Banking and Brick & Mortar store front) in another State but doing business here, No.