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Checklist for Starting a Business in Manatee and Sarasota Counties
1) START YOUR BUSINESS PLAN.
This is essential for obtaining
any financing and is an excellent resource for creating a checklist
and for making sure you have thought through the business idea.
SCORE has a number of resources that can help you create your plan
including a workshop held several times a year.
2) OBTAIN AN ACCOUNTANT/BOOKKEEPER, A BUSINESS LAWYER,
AND AN INSURANCE AGENT. If you
need a referral on a lawyer, The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
(LRS), provides referrals to attorneys who will conduct an initial
one-half hour office consultation for $25. Their number is
1-800-342-8011. If possible, utilize an insurance agent that comes
recommended from friends, family and colleagues. Your Manasota SCORE
chapter can also provide a list of supporting professionals.
3) DETERMINE A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION (E.G. C-CORPORATION,
PARTNERSHIP, S-CORPORATION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, SOLE
PROPRIETORSHIP). Through an
appointment, SCORE can help with that. Alternatively, use a lawyer
to help you. You might also review
www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98359,00.html and
www.corporate.com/entity-comparison.jsp
4) REGISTER THE COMPANY WITH THE FLORIDA SECRETARY OF
STATE. While you are there, check
with the Occupational Permit Counter at (850) 487-2252 (www.myflorida.com/dbpr/)
to determine any special licenses you need for your profession (e.g.
contracting, barbers, etc.). Their web site is:
www.dos.state.fl.us
Sample Forms are
located at:
www.dos.state.fl.us/doc/form_download.html
For example:
Sole-proprietors will file a Fictitious Name Registration;
Corporations will file Articles of Incorporation.
5) REGISTER FOR A FEDERAL TAX ID NUMBER (EIN).
See
www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=97860,00.html
6) REGISTER FOR STATE TAX ID NUMBER, UNEMPLOYMENT
COMPENSATION ID NUMBER, SALES TAX ID NUMBER (IF REQUIRED), AND ANY
OTHER NECESSARY PERMITS REQUIRED FOR YOUR TYPE OF BUSINESS.
See:
www.myflorida.com/dor/businesses
This web site also has
a NEW BUSINESS GUIDE which can be downloaded (PDF format).
7) IF YOU WILL BE ESTABLISHING YOUR BUSINESS IN THE
FOLLOWING LOCATIONS, OBTAIN A BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT
(formally called an Occupational
License, which is basically a small tax allowing you to conduct
business at that location):
Sarasota County 1
(941) 861-8300
http://www.sarasotataxcollector.com/OL_PAGES/OL_GeneralInfo.htm
City of Sarasota
1 (941)
954-4186
http://www.sarasotagov.com/Business/Content/OccupationalLicenses/BuildingOccLic.html
City of Venice 1 (941) 486-2626
http://www.venicegov.com/Municipal_links/Plann_zoning/business_lic.htm
City of North Port 1 (941) 423-3186
City of Longboat Key 1 (941) 316 -1999
http://www.longboatkey.org/Departments/Clerk/occupational_licenses.htm
Manatee County
Local Business Tax
Receipt
(Manatee County does not issue occupational license(s),
Bradenton does.)
http://cityofbradenton.com/index.asp?Type=B_LIST&SEC={32484AD9-94A5-42AD-8F9A-C0AFF82BF355}
City Clerk's Office - located in City Hall
101 12th St W
Bradenton, FL 34205
Phone: (941) 932-9400
8) WHILE DEALING WITH YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT BE SURE NO SPECIAL
PERMITS OR ZONING REQUIREMENTS ARE REQUIRED.
9) OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT.
10) Manasota SCORE is here to help. As you
proceed through these steps, remember that you can always ask for
help from SCORE!
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