How to Start a Business in Steuben County, New York

A business plan can help keep your new business on track.

To practice business of any type in the state of New York, you must register that business on state and local levels. This allows the state and local governments to monitor your business practices, protect the rights of consumers and your business, and to ensure that your business pays state and local taxes required by law.

Instructions

1. Search the Corporation & Business Entity Database provided by the New York Division of Corporations to make sure that your chosen business name is available for use (see Resources for a link). If your business name is not distinguishable for that of a business already registered in the database, New York law requires the Division of Corporations to deny your business registration.

2. Visit the Internal Revenue Service website and apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is required by federal law if your business has employees. It's also helpful in filing registration documents, for business taxes and opening business bank accounts.

3. Choose the appropriate documents for filing your business registration with the New York Division of Corporations based upon the entity that you choose for your business structure. Possible business entities include sole proprietorships, corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. If you choose to operate under a sole proprietorship, the Division of Corporations does not require you to file registration documents on a state level, but you will still need to register in Steuben County.

4. Obtain a Certificate of Authority from the State of New York Tax Department. This is a requirement if your business sells, rents or leases products and merchandise or provides specific taxable services to consumers. Your need for a Certificate of Authority depends entirely upon the type of business you plan to start in New York.

5. Check zoning laws in Steuben County and the city of your business location to make sure that the location you choose for your business (whether in-home or commercial) is appropriate. Contact the Steuben County Planning Department for more information: Steuben County Planning Dept., 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, NY 14810; phone [phone]; fax [phone].

6. Apply for all required licenses and permits for yourself, your employees and your business. State and local governments require certain professions and businesses to have permits and licenses to provide products and services. By choosing your business type from the menu on the New York State Online Permit Assistance and Licensing website (see Resources), you can obtain all of the necessary license and permit information for your business.

7. Register your business with the Steuben County Clerk's Office. Contact the clerk's office to obtain the proper registration forms: Steuben County Clerk's Office, 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, New York 14810; phone [phone] Ext. 3203; fax [phone].

Tips & Warnings

• Now that your business is officially registered, putting together a business plan will help you keep focused. A business plan allows you to fully determine the purpose of your business, better understand your industry market, focus on a target market, map out the structure of your business and set goals for the future.

References

• New York State Division of Corporations: Business Corporation Filings
• New York State Department of Taxation and Finance: Selling Products or Services
• Steuben County Clerk: Guide to the Steuben County Clerk's Office
• Steuben County: Where Do I Go For...

Resources

• New York State Division of Corporations: Search the Corporation & Business Entity Database
• Internal Revenue Service: Employer ID Numbers
• New York State Online Permit Assistance and Licensing
• Small Business Administration: Your Local SBA--New York