This
checklist is designed to help the new business owner in Texas and other
states obtain information about licenses, permits, and inspections required
by various government agencies. It is intended as a general guide and does
not include everything the new business owner needs to know and do. Before
opening a business, the owner should obtain legal counsel and contact the
appropriate city, county, and state offices for specific information.
1.
Certificates and information pertaining to the filing of Articles of Incorporation
and certificates for corporations doing business under assumed names are
available from the Secretary of State.
Corporations
Section (for Texas ONLY)
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 13697 78711
(512) 463-5555
2. If the business will operate under an assumed name, that name should be filed with the County Clerk. Prior to filing, check the records in the County Clerk's office to see if any other business is currently operating under that name.
3.
Contact the State Comptroller's Office for information on sales and franchise
taxes.
State Comptroller's Office (for Texas ONLY)
111 W. 6th St. 78701
(512) 463-4600
4.
Information about licenses and fees pertaining to storage, transportation
or sale of alcoholic beverages can be obtained from the Alcoholic Beverage
Commission.
Licenses
and permits (for Texas ONLY)
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
PO Box 13127 78711
(512) 206-3360
5.
Businesses involved in food handling, procession, packaging, and warehousing
must have Health Permits. Certain operations must be inspected and licensed
by the Health Department.
6. The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hours Division administers certain federal labor laws that may apply to new businesses including minimum wage, overtime, and child labor regulations. Telephone inquiries are answered Wednesdays from 9 am to noon at (512) 916-5638.
Texas
Workforce Commission for laws and regulations (for Texas ONLY)
7.
The city in which your business is located usually administers building
regulations, issues building permits, conducts inspections and oversees
zoning regulations. Signs for advertising purposes may also require permits.
8.
Information about loan programs which assist small businesses may be obtained
by contacting the federal government's Small Business Administration or
the Business Success Center and its financial members.
Small
Business Administration
sba.gov
Business Success Center
7600 Burnet Rd #130
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 933-1983
bsc@bscusa.com
9.
Information concerning export procedures and regulations is provided by
the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Department
of Commerce
Export Trade Assistance Office
(512) 916-5939
10. Information regarding federal and state occupational health and safety regulations is available from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
U.S.
Government
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(512) 916-5783
Texas
Department of Health (for Texas ONLY)
Division of Occupational Health
8407 Wall St. 78754
(5123) 834-6600
11. Information on local area wages, salaries, and benefits can be obtained from
Salary.com
Jobstar.org
Monster.com
stats.bls.gov/oco
12. Your state may or may not require businesses to carry a worker's compensation policy. Such policies are sold through private insurance companies, and the Texas Department of Insurance maintains a list of insurance companies qualified to write them.
Texas
Worker's Compensation Commission (for Texas ONLY)
4000 S. IH 35 78704
(512) 448-7900
Texas
Department of Insurance (for Texas ONLY)
Worker's Compensation Department
333 Guadalupe 78714
(512) 322-3490
tdi.state.tx.us
13. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission administers the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, which mandates nondiscrimination in employment and commercial facilities for individuals with disabilities.
14. Environmental regulations (air, water quality, etc.) are handled through the Environmental Protection Agency of the federal government and states have their own regulations. Be sure you are familiar with both.
TCEQ (Texas Commission on Enviromental Quality - formerly TNRCC) (for Texas ONLY)
15.
The Fire Department administers the fire code, overseeing compliance and
conducting inspections. For information about fire code requirements contact:
16. Bank Account. For your protection, cash flow control and for tax purposes it is strongly recommended that you establish a separate bank account for any and all businesses you operate.
17. The IRS conducts workshops on a regular basis on tax issues. For dates, times and locations, contact irs.gov.
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