Business and Estate Planning attorneY, Admitted in Texas and California,

BASED IN austin, SERVING lakeway, bee caves, westlake Hills and all of texas

Texas Business Licenses, Permits and Registration

​1) Tax Registration

Employer Identification Number (EIN):  All employers who have employees, including business partnerships and corporations, must be assigned an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Employer Tax ID from the United States Internal Revenue Service, sometimes referred to as a Form SS-4.

U.S. Internal Revenue Service Phone: 1-800-829-4933

Guide to the Employer Identification Number
Apply Online

Texas Tax Registration: Those businesses operating within the state of Texas are additionally required to register for more specific identification numbers, licenses or permits for different tax purposes. Examples of these include income tax withholding, sellers’ permits for sales and use tax, and unemployment insurance tax. Contact the Texas Online Tax Registration Application for more specific information regarding business owner tax obligations and registration procedures. The Texas Comptroller’s office offers access to even more  General Tax Information and Forms.

2) Business Licenses

​General Business Licenses: The official government page for the State of Texas provides specific information regarding permit, license and registration requirements through an extensive collection of links links and contact information.

3) Local Permits

The local government in your area, such as that of your city or county, may require specific permits and licenses. Each municipality may have its own unique regulations. Here are some of the most common licenses and permits you may need: Alarm Permit; Building Permit; Business License and/or Tax Permit; Health Permit; Occupational Permit; Signage Permit; Zoning Permit. [Note: neither Travis County nor the City of Austin require a general "business permit" to operate, although business are still subject to state occupation-specific licensure requirements.]

4) Incorporation Filing

​Businesses which operate as corporations, limited liability companies (LLC), a partnership (either limited or limited liability) or who are a non-profit organization need to register with the state. Forms and applications can be found here:

Business Entity Registration – Forms and Application [Note: the sample forms do not include Bylaws or other organizing documents - I can help you with drafting these documents.]

​5) Doing Business As (DBA)

Filing for a fictitious name allows the creation of a business name which is then separate from your legal name. This is called Doing Business As, or DBA. In Texas, if the business will operate as a sole proprietorship or a general partnership, an Assumed Name Certificate or DBA for each name the business will use must be on file with the county clerk in each county where a business premise will be maintained. All businesses operating in Texas as limited partnerships, registered limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, professional corporations, nonprofit corporations, and professional associations must register with the Secretary of State. 

6) Employer Requirements

Withholding Income Taxes. The IRS requires that records of employment taxes be kept for at least four years. An overview of employer responsibilities regarding the withholding of federal taxes is provided in the IRS Employer’s Tax Guide publication.

Federal Income Tax Withholding (Form W-4): All employees must fill out an exemption certificate for their employer (Form W-4) either on or before their start date of employment. The employer is then responsible for submitting the W-4 to the IRS for verification.

Federal Wage and Tax Statement (Form W-2): Employers must report annually to the IRS the wage and tax information which has been withheld for all employees. This report is filed using Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. A W-2 must be completed for each employee by January 31 each year. Copy A of the W-2 Form must be sent to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to report employee wages for the preceding year. Additional Employer W-2 Filing Instructions and Information are provided by the Social Security Administration.

State Taxes: The requirement of state tax withholding varies depending on where employees are located. Visit your state tax agency for further information. Texas requires a Sales Tax Permit which new applicants can complete online.

Employee Eligibility Verification (I-9 Form) Federal law requires that employers verify work eligibility in all employees hired after November 6, 1986. Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be completed within three days of hire by completing the Employment Eligibility Verification Form, commonly referred to as an I-9 form.

Instructions for Completing the I-9: Handbook for Employers
​Download Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification)

Form I-9 must be completed for both citizens and non-citizens. The Small Business Guide to Immigration Regulations provides a summary of immigration laws and information to assist in completing the I-9 form for non-citizens.

New Hire Reporting: Employers are required to declare all newly and re-hired employees within 20 days of hiring. This information should be submitted via the State of Texas New Hire Reporting Program.

Insurance Requirements: The State of Texas requires businesses to carry certain kinds of insurance. The Texas Workforce Commission administers Texas’s Unemployment Insurance. An overview of insurance requirements can be found on the Texas Department of Insurance - Business page.

Disability Insurance: Temporary disability insurance benefits provide payment to workers, if needed, due to a non-work related illness or injury. In Texas, employers are not required to carry this insurance.

Unemployment Insurance Tax: Businesses are required to pay unemployment benefits to eligible employees. More information regarding unemployment benefits can be located on the Unemployment page of the State of Texas Workforce Commission.

​Workers’ Compensation Insurance: A Worker’s Compensation claim can be filed by employees who are injured on job. In most instances, businesses are not required to carry this insurance in Texas.Texas employers without workers’ compensation insurance coverage are required to report their non-coverage status along with any work-related injuries and illnesses stats to the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation. Employers are also required to notify employees if they do not offer this insurance. The Texas Department of Insurance – Workers’ Compensation Division offers further information regarding Workers’ Compensation coverage for employers.

The following information is taken directly from the Small Business Administration's very helpful page on Texas Business Licenses.  That page can be found at this link: http://www.sba.com/texas/licenses-permits/   You may get the idea that this is complicated.  You're right (although it is less complicated in Texas than other states like, say, California).  Depending on the nature of your business, it can be very complicated.  This is where I can help you sort out what you need to do, what you don't need to do, and how to get it all done as quickly and painlessly as possible.

From the SBA:

Business Entity Licensing 

Law Office of David L. Howell