Starting your own business can be a fulfilling experience that requires a great deal of preparation and hard work. Berks County, Pennsylvania is located in the southeastern part of the state and offers different opportunities for businesses. The city of Reading, Kutztown University, Albright College and Alvernia University are located in Berks County and offer opportunities for new businesses to attract clients. When you start a new business in Pennsylvania, you must file certain paperwork with the Pennsylvania Department of State, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and the local government.
Instructions
1. Choose a name for your company. Your company must have a legal name in order to do business in Pennsylvania. By default, the legal name of a sole proprietorship is your name and the name of a general partnership is comprised of the names of the partners. If you want to choose a different name, then you must complete and file a "Registration of Fictitious Name" application. The legal name of a corporation or limited liability company is the name written on the incorporation or organization document.
2. Complete the required business entity filings and submit them to the Pennsylvania Department of State. In Pennsylvania, you can establish your business as a sole proprietorship, a general partnership, a limited partnership, a limited liability partnership or a limited liability company. Obtain the appropriate filing document from the Department of State website, complete the paperwork, and submit it with the appropriate filing fee. There are no necessary business entity filings for a sole proprietorship or general partnership.
3. Register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to receive a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). All businesses, except a sole proprietorship with no employees, must have an EIN for federal tax purposes. You can obtain an EIN by using the IRS by completing and filing an form "SS-4 Application for Employer Identification Number" or by using the "IRS EIN Online Assistant" website.
4. Complete the "PA-100 Enterprise Registration Form." The "PA-100 Enterprise Registration Form" registers your business with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and the Department of Labor and Industry. This form is used to register your business for any state taxes and licenses that are necessary for your business, including the sales and use tax and corporate taxes. The "PA-100 Enterprise Registration Form" can be completed on the Internet by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue website.
5. Apply for any additional licenses that are particular to your business. In Pennsylvania, certain professions must be licensed with the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, such as accountants, barbers, real estate agencies, funeral homes, chiropractors, dentists and doctors. You can obtain the license applications from the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs by contacting them by telephone at 717-787-8503.
6. Obtain a business address in Berks County. You can purchase a property or lease space for your business. Choose an industrial area, office space, commercial space or a home office, depending on your needs. Contact the zoning board of the local town or city to ensure that the location that you have chosen is zoned for your business.
7. Contact the Berks Economic Partnership to inquire about any additional resources or funding that are available in the area. The Berks Economic Partnership assists businesses in the Berks County area by helping them obtain funding and serving as advocates for local businesses.
Tags: your business, Berks County, Pennsylvania Department, sole proprietorship, business Pennsylvania, Department Revenue