How to Obtain a Business License in Wake County North Carolina

To open a business in Wake County, North Carolina, you may need to fulfill municipal and state license requirements.

If you plan on opening a new business in Wake County, North Carolina, you will need to first secure any business licenses that are required. These licensing requirements can vary according to the type of business you plan to operate, and extend beyond the local requirements of the municipality in which your business will be located. You will also need to consider federal and state requirements for obtaining the proper licenses for your new business.

Instructions

1. Obtain an Employer Identification Number, or EIN. An EIN, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used to identify a business entity. If you will have employees or if your business structure is a corporation or partnership you will need an EIN. You can find more information about whether you need an EIN at the Internal Revenue Service's website (See Resources). Obtaining an EIN is a free service and you can obtain an EIN instantly online by completing an interview-style online application on the IRS website. You can also obtain an EIN via phone, fax or mail.

2. Fulfill state licensing requirements. North Carolina has no single state business license that will ensure your compliance with all the regulatory requirements for your particular business, but the Department of Commerce's Business ServiCenter can assist you in identifying licensing requirements. Visit the "Business Licenses and Permits" page of the department's online Business ServiCenter website for information (See Resources).

3. Call or visit the website of the municipality where your business is located within Wake County to learn about local requirements. Wake County has 12 different municipalities contained within its borders, and not all of them have business license requirements.

4. Download the license application from your municipality, if applicable. Fill out the application completely and submit the application along with the required filing fee. Renew your business license at the proper time each year. Also, follow all added municipal requirements. For example, in the city of Raleigh, businesses operated from home must obtain a Home Occupation Use Permit from the Zoning Division of the Inspections Department.

References

• IRS: Employer ID Numbers
• State Of North Carolina: Business Licenses And Permits
• Wake County Government: State License Information And Federal Referrals
• Wake County Government: Municipal Requirements

Resources

• IRS: Employer ID Numbers
• North Carolina: Business Licenses And Permits