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	General Business Start-Up Are there government funded programs available to help me start my business? Where can I find information on my industry? Can I operate a business from my home? What types of permits and licenses are generally needed for starting a business? Do I need a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) or tax number? If so, how can I obtain one? Who is required to hold a Texas sales and use tax permit, and how do I get one? What is a fictitious name? Why do I have to register a fictitious name? What is a business entity? How do I file a business entity registration? Which form of business organization should I choose? Where can I find information regarding women or minority owned businesses? Where can I get more information regarding business certifications? Are there government funded programs available to help me start my business? There are state and federal funded programs available to assist a business owner in starting their business. State of Texas Resources - Federal Resources Back To Top Where can I find information on my industry? A great place to begin research on your industry is through your industry trade association(s). A free online list of trade associations is available from the American Society of Association Executives. Back To Top Can I operate a business from my home? Most cities within Collin County allow home-based businesses, subject to certain restrictions. For more information contact the Planning and Zoning Departments in your city at the number(s) listed below. Allen - (214) 509-4163 Frisco - (972) 335-5580 ext. 156 McKinney - (972) 547-7400 Plano - (972) 941-4151 Wylie - (972) 442-8158 or (972) 442-8150 What types of permits and licenses are generally needed for starting a business? In addition to local permits and licenses which may be required, some businesses require specific licenses by the State of Texas. A complete list of Business Licenses and Permits required for each type of business is available at the Texas Economic Development (PDF). Back To Top Do I need a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) or tax number? If so, how can I obtain one? An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number that the IRS assigns and uses to identify taxpayers that are required to file various business tax returns. EINs are used by employers, sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, nonprofit associations, and trusts, estates of decedents, government agencies, certain individuals, and other business entities. In some cases, sole proprietors with no employees and no sales tax can simply use their own social security number for tax purposes, but most businesses will need an EIN. You can apply by phone, fax, or mail. A downloadable form (SS-4) is available on the IRS website . Back To Top Who is required to hold a Texas sales and use tax permit, and how do I get one? You must obtain a Texas sales and use tax permit if you are engaged in business in Texas and you: sell tangible personal property in Texas; lease tangible personal property in Texas; or sell taxable services in Texas. The requirement to obtain a Texas sales and use tax permit applies to individuals as well as corporations, firms, partnerships, and all other legal entities. Information on obtaining a permit, on-line registration, or contacting your local field office is available from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Back To Top What is a fictitious name? Why do I have to register a fictitious name? A fictitious name is a name used for business purposes that differs from the true name of the owner of the business. It is very important to do a thorough search when considering a business name. If a corporation and an unincorporated company have very similar names, neither automatically has the right to the name. If both parties have properly filed the Assumed Name Certificate, the courts will most likely have to decide this matter. Taking the time necessary to conduct the name research up front will help avoid legal costs after the business is opened and operating. Back To Top What is a business entity? There are several legal structures available for businesses operating in Texas including sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or limited liability partnership. A professional tax consultant, accountant, and/or attorney should always be consulted before determining your legal structure. Back To Top How do I file a business entity registration of "DBA"? Once the legal structure of the business has been determined, and if a separate business name will be used, the business name must be registered with the county clerks office and/or the Secretary of State. If the business will operate as a sole proprietorship or a general partnership, an Assumed Name Certificate or d.b.a. (doing business as) for each name (or deviation of that name) the business will use must be on file with the county clerk in each county where a business premise will be maintained. In Collin County contact: Collin County Clerk's Office McKinney, Texas 75069 Phone: 972-548-4185 (McKinney) 972-424-1460 ext. 4185 (Metro) Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday 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. For more information, contact the Secretary of State. General information and business name searches are available at (512)463-5555. Back To Top Which form of business organization should I choose? The answer depends on the balance you seek between complexity of the firm, liability limits, tax implications, the need to raise capital, the need for the business to continue after a death, the number of owners, and so on. If your business is a fairly risk-free "mom and pop" operation then a sole proprietorship or general partnership may be appropriate. For most businesses who plan to grow or engage in activities with risk, limited liability is an important issue. For these companies, an LLC, an LLP, or a Corporation are probably good choices. A professional tax consultant, accountant, and/or attorney should always be consulted before determining legal structure and business name. Back To Top Where can I find information regarding women or minority owned businesses? The Fort Worth Business Assistance Center is dedicated to offering women and minorities who want to start a business in Fort Worth or Dallas, a place to get the help they need to make their businesses successful. The Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Business counsel is a nonprofit, business organization, formed in 1973 by major corporations committed to fostering a business environment which promotes access and opportunity for minority-owned businesses. The Texas Procurement and Support Services has a wide variety of functional areas to assist vendors finding out how to do business with the state. It is the policy of the commission to encourage the use of historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) by state agencies and to assist agencies in the implementation of this policy through race, ethnic, and gender-neutral means. Back To Top Where can I get more information regarding business certifications? If your small business is 51% owned and operated by a woman or minority, it could be worth your while to investigate business certification program. The purpose of these programs is to give small, disadvantaged businesses and women-owned businesses a more level playing field in competing with larger, entrenched firms. The North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency has more information and application forms. Back To Top
Materials, services or products offered by providers to SBDC clients are available as a resource for you to locate professionals who can assist you with business concerns. Making these sources available to you does not imply or constitute a recommendation or endorsement by the SBDC, but is only intended to be a convenience for you. You must perform your “due diligence” by interviewing the individuals or companies to determine if they meet your needs. If you do retain their services, be sure to obtain your agreement in writing: who is responsible for what; what work is to be performed; what is not included; what is the cost. A partnership program of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Bill Priest Campus of El Centro College, a division of the Dallas County Community College District. Funded in part through Cooperative Agreement # 9-603001-0046-22 with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. It is the policy of the Dallas County Community College District and Collin College that all persons have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran.