NY Business License Basics
If you own a business in New York then you need a license to operate. There are many different types of New York business licenses and permits that are required by various government entities at federal, state and local levels. An operating license is the basic type of business license that most all businesses will be required to have.
Each level of government has specific regulations and requirements that must be met before a business can get a license. If you don’t know the licensing rules in New York and follow them it could result in expensive fines and putting your business at risk.
Types of Business Licenses in New York
Federal Business Licenses – The federal government has a number of agencies that regulate and supervise business activities. If your business participates in any one of these federally regulated activities you will need to get a federal business license.
Activities that'll be required to get a federal business license include:
- Alcohol manufacturing, importing and sales
- Agriculture
- Firearm dealing, importing and manufacturing
- Ammunition and Explosives dealing, importing and manufacturing
- Aviation
- Wildlife related activity
- Mining
- Drilling
- Commercial fishing
- TV and radio broadcasting
- Trucking
State Business Licenses – Nearly all New York businesses will need to obtain some kind of state business license to be able to legally operate. At the very least a business should get a professional or occupational license. New York business licenses are typically used for tax purposes.
Local Business Licenses – Local New York governments and municipalities also grant business licenses. All businesses will be required to get some type of local business license to be able to operate in New York.
Permits – Permits are more specific to a certain type of business within an industry. Permits have a wide variety of purposes from parking to product sales.
How to Get a New York Business License
The steps you will have to take to obtain a business license in New York will vary depending on what sort of business license you need to get. It doesn't matter what type of license you are trying to get you will need to fill out application form(s) and supply details about your business.
If you are starting a business or expanding your business you will have numerous forms to fill out. Be prepared to supply your Employer Identification Number (EIN).
The SBA (Small Business Administration) has great online tools for helping business owners decide exactly what type of New York business licenses they need to get, links to websites, applications and instructions. If you’re just starting a business and need guidance on licensing, the SBA is the best place to get more info.
Maintaining Your New York Business License
Once you get your New York business licenses and permits you must still maintain them yearly to keep them up to date. The guidelines below are recommended in order to ensure your business license is in good standing.
- Make copies of your business licenses and permits.
- Monitor when licenses and permits have to be renewed.
- Follow the regulations for displaying your business license.
- If you want to change or expand your business be sure to verify whether you need additional permits or business licenses.