Starting a Business in New York

Ready to start building your own empire in the Empire State? Let us walk you through each step necessary to start a small business.

New York Interstate road sign

Essential Steps When Starting a Small Business

New Yorkers work hard. You know you’re going to have to roll up your sleeves to make your dreams a reality, and you’re ready to do it. Because we know your time is valuable, we’ve gathered everything you need to start a small business in New York. We’ll cover:

Businesswoman setting up business

Filing a Business Entity

You need to register your business with the state of New York to take your business from a state of mind to an actual entity. The way you file is dependent on your business’s legal structure, so you need to choose your legal structure first. If you’re not sure which is the right fit, you can consult this guide to the different business entity types.

Corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), professional service limited liability companies, and limited partnerships need to register with the state of New York. General partnerships and sole proprietorships will not register with the state of New York. Instead, you must register with your county clerk.

Corporations

To register a corporation with the state of New York, you must complete a Certificate of Incorporation.

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)

To form an LLC in the state of New York, you must:

Professional Service Limited Liability Companies

Designated professional services must follow a separate protocol when filing an LLC in the state of New York. This includes professions like occupational therapy, dentistry, landscape architecture, psychology, and public accountancy. For a full list of professional services, consult the New York State Department of Education, Office of the Professions.

Limited Partnerships

To form a limited partnership in New York State, you must:

What is the address for the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations?

New York Department of State
Division of Corporations
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12231

Tax Registration

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

All employers who have employees must be assigned an EIN (or Employer Tax ID) from the Internal Revenue Service.

New York Tax Registration

To sell products and services, you must register with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

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Business Licenses & Permits

General Business Licenses

The state of New York requires new businesses to obtain the necessary licenses for their industry before operating. You can find the required licenses for your specific business through New York State’s Office of Professions.

Local Permits

The permits required in your local government area may vary. You’ll want to check with your local city, county, and/or municipality for any additional required permits.

Some of the most common required permits include:

  • Business License and/or Tax Permit
  • Building Permit
  • Health Permit
  • Occupational Permit
  • Zoning Permit
  • Signage Permit
  • Alarm Permit

Hiring and Labor Laws in New York

Federal Labor Laws

All businesses operating in New York must comply with national labor laws.

New York Labor Standards

Consult the New York State Division of Labor Standards for the full list of state labor laws.

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Employer Requirements

You’re almost there! The final step in setting up your business is to determine the federal and state employer requirements.

Federal Requirements

State Requirements for New York

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