When starting a new business, there are many important decisions to make and many rules and procedures that must be addressed. While there is no single source for all filing requirements, the following steps have been developed to assist you in starting your business.
Step 1
It is helpful to begin with a business plan. A business plan is a blueprint of every aspect of your business. Sales, Marketing, Advertising, Promotion and Location are just some of the categories to consider when creating a plan. Go to the U.S. Small Business Administration website to find a tutorial on how to create a business plan.
Step 2
If you would like help deciding on a location for your business, contact the California Business Investment Services (CalBIS) unit of the Governor's Office of Economic Development. CalBIS provides tailored site selection services for businesses, real–estate executives, and site selection consultants.
Step 3
Choose a business structure (e.g. LLC, Corporation, LP, LLC, GP, or Sole Proprietorship). Private legal and tax advisors should be consulted before making a determination as to the type of business entity to form. Visit the Secretary of State website for Business Entity Forms, Samples and Fees.
Step 4
Your next step will be to file your tax and employer identification documents.
Step 5
Most businesses require licenses or permits in order to operate. Please click on each of the resources below to determine if your business requires any licenses or permits.