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STEP #1: BEGIN A BUSINESS PLAN
Start a business plan to help identify the who, what, where, why, when, and also the costs to start and operate for a year or so. Web site www.bplans.com/sample_business_plans has samples of several business plans. Pick and choose a plan that fits your industry.
At bare minimum outline your business plan after viewing Business Plan Outline (left side of that web site).
STEP #2: LOCAL AND STATE BUSINESS LICENSES AND PERMITS
Browse State of California web site www.calgold.ca.gov for the city and county business licenses and permits needed for your chosen industry. If your business will be located in an incorporated area,
go to the city office. If in an unincorporated area, go to the
county office.
If your business is a home-based business, apply for a "home-occupancy permit" at the same city or county office.
More city, county and state permits and licenses are usually required. Here again, web site www.calgold.ca.gov has scads of information about requirements in California.
STEP #3: FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME
If using a business name other than your own, you need to
file a "fictitious business name" with the county office in which your business is located. Also you must publish a public notice
in a newspaper of general circulation within the county your business will be located.
STEP #4: BUSINESS STRUCTURES THAT MUST REGISTER WITH STATE
If organizing as a California corporation, nonprofit, association,
LLC, or as a general, limited or limited liability partnership,you are required to register with the California Secretary of State business office. See web site www.ss.ca.gov/business/business.
Out-of-state corporations, nonprofit's, LLC's, and general partnerships
establishing a presence in California are also required to register with the
California Secretary of State office. Out of state corporations are "foreign
corporations."
STEP #5: SELLER'S PERMIT/RESALE PERMIT
To sell any item
of tangible personal property, a seller's permit or resale permit is required. Check the Board of Equalization web site www.boe.ca.gov/info/reg for information and forms. Or call 916-322-2010 for the nearest field
office.
STEP #6: BUSINESS TAXES
Seek Federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service at www.irs.gov/businesses/ or 1-800-829-1040. Look for tax data for your type of business structure.
Obtain a Federal Employer ID Number (EIN)from the IRS; however, a sole proprietorship may use either an EIN or your Social Security Number (SSN).
Seek California State tax information from the California Franchise Tax Board web site www.ftb.ca.gov/businesses or telephone 1-800-852-5711
ADDITIONAL STEPS IF YOU HIRE EMPLOYEES
STEP #7: EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
If you hire one or more employees, a Federal Employer ID Number (EIN) (see step 6) is mandatory.
Also obtain a
State Employer Identification Number from the California Employment Development Department at www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Taxes or at the nearest EDD office.
STEP #8: WAGE/HOUR LAWS
California laws establishing minimum standards for wages, hours and working conditions are set forth by the California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. Information is at its www.dir.ca.gov/dlse web site. They also have mandatory workplace posters covering state labor and
wage laws at www.dir.ca.gov/wpnodb
STEP #9: WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Workers' compensation insurance is required to cover all employees. It may be either 1) on a self-insured basis, 2) through a commercial carrier, or 3) from the State Workers' Compensation Insurance Fund. Browse the California Director of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers Compensation web site at www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/employer for current information.
To apply for California State workers compensation insurance go to www.scif.com/policy/ to download an application form and locate the nearest State insurance fund office.
STEP #10: PROOF OF RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
Employers must verify that prospective employees are eligible to work in the United States. For information how to verify, go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/. When there, click For Employers (at left side)then About Form I-9 and E-Verify (at right side)
FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS
The U.S. Small Business Administration and its affiliates, and the State of California have web sites that provide substantial information:
1. www.sba.gov/small business planner has information to help manage your business from startup to finish.
2. www.score.org is the National SCORE web site that has 10,500 volunteers at 384 chapters in the U.S. who offer free business counseling via face-to face, email or telephone services. In San Joaquin County, the local SCORE chapter counseling locations are listed on our Home Page of this web site.
3. Then there are the Small Business Development Centers around the U.S. For San Joaquin County, the SBDC is at web site www.sbdc.deltacollege.edu
4. www.ss.ca.gov/business/business is the portal for business information in California.
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