How to Register a Company to Do Business in New York

Opening a business in New York requires different steps depending on your business structure.

When you are registering a company with the goal of doing business in New York, there are some basic registration steps you must complete to conduct business legally in New York. According to Business.gov, the registration steps differ depending on the business structure you are running. While the registration process differs in this regard, there are common registrations and tasks necessary for every business operating in New York. Ensure that you have all bases covered before operating your business in New York.

Instructions

Legal Business Registration

1. Register a sole proprietorship with your local county clerk's office. According to Business.gov, sole proprietors need to fill out a Business Certificate as the main registration with the local county's office in New York.

2. Register a general partnership with the local county clerk's office. According to Business.gov, general partnerships must file a Business Certificate for Partners and Partnerships in business with the local county where the business is located in New York.

3. Register corporations, LLPs and LLCs along with other types of partnerships with the New York Department of State. This must be done with a business name.

Register for Licenses and Permits

1. Log on to the Business.gov Licenses and Permits tool.

2. Provide your New York ZIP code. Ensure that it is the ZIP code of your business and not your personal dwelling. Select your type of business from the drop down menu. Click the link below the drop down menu if the type of business you are running did not appear on the list.

3. Click "Search" and wait until the search results appear. Write down the licenses or permits required to run your business. Contact your local county's office and the Secretary of State to obtain your permits and licenses to operate your business. At times, there are both local and federal licenses, so ensure you contact both.

Register for an Employer Identification Number

1. Contact your local IRS office in New York. According to the IRS, offices are located in Albany, Binghamton, Bronx, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Elmira, Garden City, Hauppauge, Jamestown, Kingston, New Windsor, Harlem, Downtown New York, Midtown, Poughkeepsie, Queensbury, Rego Park, Riverhead, Rochester, Staten Island, Syracuse, Utica, West Nyack and White Plains.

2. Fill out the online version of the SS-4 form and submit it to the IRS.

3. Wait approximately six weeks for a registration confirmation and your business EIN.

References

• Business: Starting a Business in New York
• Better Business Bureau: How to Start your own Business in New York
• New York Department of State: Business Registration
• Internal Revenue Service: Local Contact -- New York
• Business: Business Name Registration

Resources

• Business: Licenses and Permits