How to Register a Business Name in New York City

To have the business of your dreams, you must be sure that your business is operating correctly within government standards. If you want to have a business in New York City, you need to register your business name with the city. This will help you ensure that your business is registered for all other government records correctly.

Instructions

1. Register your business name with the State of New York. If you are a partnership, you must register with the Clerk of County Office in the county where your business is located. Remember that if you are going to be doing business under a business name that is not your own personal name as it appears on your taxes and ID, you need to register that with the county. If your business is simply your name as it appears on your tax forms, you do not have to register with the county. If you are going to be a corporation, you must register with the secretary of state in Albany.

2. Apply for a Federal Employer ID number. You must have an Employer Identification Number, which is often called an EIN, if you want to do business in New York City and you plan on having one or more employees, or if you are required to do any type of federal pension or tax return. If you do not have employees and are going to be working as a sole proprietor, you can use your Social Security number as your Federal Employer ID number.

3. Use the Federal Form SS-4 to apply for an EIN with the IRS.

4. Trademark your business name so no one else can use it if you plan on doing business nationally, or simply as a good security measure. You can do this at uspto.gov.

Tips & Warnings

• You must do these things before you begin your business.

• Do not operate a business in New York City that is not registered.