How to Start a Small Business in St. Johns County, Florida
Business ownership is a process that starts with taking on the responsibilities required to start and operate a business. Florida is home to both large and small businesses. You can get your business started by following key steps to ensure that you have covered all state-mandated bases for business ownership. In St. Johns County, the local government works directly with small businesses to ensure that all local business laws and regulations are being followed.
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Things You'll Need
- Resume
- Personal tax returns--past 3 to 5 years
- Identification documentation--drivers license, Social Security card
Instructions
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Research businesses in St. Johns County, Florida that are already in existence that are similar to your business idea. Compare and review information on your business and your local competition. For example, if you are starting a restaurant in St. Johns County, you would compile information on all restaurants located in the county. Make a list of the restaurants and include relevant data about each one including location, hours of operation and average menu prices.
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Create a business plan and incorporate local St. Johns County information in to your plan. Include information on Florida economic information in your business plan as well. Make sure to include market analysis data in your plan that is specific to St. Johns County. St. Johns County government states that the county is funded and driven by tourism to the area. The county reports that in 2008, tourists to the St. Johns area spent a total of $712 million on a variety of goods and services in the county. Data such as tourism information is beneficial in determining the business model you will use for operations.
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Select a building, facility or choose to operate your business out of your home. Make your selection based on available facilities in the boundaries of St. Johns County. Pick the area to operate your business out of and use local economic data to support that decision. For example, since St. Johns County is heavily supported by tourism you would select a tourist friendly area such as West Augustine or Vilano Beach if your business is geared toward visitors.
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Choose a business name. Contact the Florida Department of State to file a fictitious name application. Verify with the Department of State that the name you selected is available and not in use by another business in the State of Florida or in St. Johns County (see Resources). Access the online fictitious name search through the State of Florida and register for access. Have the business name choices you prefer written down prior to starting the online search. Have a credit card handy for purchasing the fictitious name certificate directly online and made available to you after completing your search and verifying that the name selected is available.
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Obtain a tax identification number from the Internal Revenue Service. List your St. Johns County address on your application, and write down the tax ID number supplied to you. See Resources section for contact information. Access the Internal Revenue Service's online application to request your tax identification number. Have available information including the business name as listed on your fictitious name certificate, your personal social security number, a valid address for the business and the legal structure of the business.
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Register your business and business operations for taxes with the Florida Department of Revenue (see Resources). List your St. Johns County address on your tax applications so the state is aware which local taxing authority is relevant to your business operations for taxing purposes. Provide information on your business including legal business name, tax identification number, physical and mailing address of the business, business owner information and business operation information including goods and services to be sold.
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Contact the St. Johns County Tax Collector (see Resources) to register your business for all local taxes that your business is required to pay. Contact the Tax Collector directly to have your business registered as a taxable business entity in the county. File taxes as required online or via mail.
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Register your business for all state and local business licenses. Contact the State of Florida to register for all professional licenses required by the state for the type of business you are. Contact the St. Johns County Clerk of Courts to determine if any state-issued business licenses need to be filed with the county. Review the list of professional licenses required by the State of Florida made available by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (see Resources).
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Tips & Warnings
Keep copies of all forms filed in a safe location.
Do not misrepresent yourself or your business on any form.
References
Resources
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