How to Register a Small Business in Illinois
Starting a small business in Illinois involves steps that include registration of your business name and tax registration for your business at the federal, state and local level. Licensing requirements are also in place for certain kinds of businesses. With preparation and organization, your business will have a basic foundation for entry into the marketplace.
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Instructions
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Fill out an application to register your business name. This is called an Assumed Name Certificate application and is required for anyone doing business under a name other than his or her legal name. The application can be obtained from your county clerk's office. Sign the application and have it notarized. The signatures of all individuals doing business under that name must be notarized on the form.
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Send the application to your county clerk office or drop it off in person. Include the specified fee. The office will issue you a certificate.
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Bring the certificate to any newspaper of general circulation in your county. Have the certificate published by the paper once a week for three weeks. The first publication must be no later than 15 days after the date of the certificate.
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Confirm with the newspaper that it will send proof of publication of your certificate to the county clerk's office. The clerk's office will send you a certificate of Ownership of Business after it has received proof of publication from the paper.
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Register for business tax with the Internal Revenue Service. Application forms are available on the Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center page of the IRS website.
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Tips & Warnings
Depending on the nature of your business, you may also be required to register with the Illinois Department of Revenue as well as with your municipality, or even with a professional organization.
