Last Updated on 3 years by EasyCowork Team
When starting up a business in Arizona, it’s important to gather more than one local state license or permit. You also have to complete more than one state certification as a component of the business legalization process.
If you are not sure about these things and not confident about just doing your own research, consult a business lawyer in Phoenix to make the process smooth for your startup company. Also, we collated some vital information for you to have an idea of the actions you require to take to have a legal, registered business in Arizona.
Table of Contents
Check Arizona Small Business Authority
Arizona Commerce Authority or ACA provides various important resources for both startups and established businesses in Arizona. They have guides about how to effectively start-up and expand your company in the state of Arizona. The ACA site has useful links for essential topics like:
- Networking and Collaboration events for Arizona business owners
- Building and Establishments available for lease and sell for your office
- Accelerators and Incubators
- Capital resources, university, and industry
- Small business assistance and startup program incentives.
Secure One or More Business Licence
Not every organization to be put up in Arizona will need a license to operate. On the other hand, many business industries are required to secure one or more licenses and permit.
Different licenses are issued by different state agencies. Transaction Privilege Tax License or TPT is one of many but the most common and the most essential state license for many businesses in Arizona.
TPS license is needed for any type of company that will engage in specific types of activity and for those who will be selling products. It’s a license that is somewhat the same as the “Sales Tax License, that’s what other states term for TPT.
An essential resource to check more data about the TPT license is the website of the Arizona Department of Revenue or AZDOR. You can check their License Guide on the website which includes a hyperlink to a PDF guide that you can download to information about Arizona Business Taxes. It has much detailed info about TPT license, costs, and taxes.
Other from the TPT license, many businesses are also required to secure what we commonly know as regulatory license and permit. They are permits and licenses for several regulated businesses and activities.
A regulatory license usually covers any activity that can compromise the environment. There are also regulatory permits that are required for any business operations that affect public safety and health. These permits are usually obtained from local state agencies like Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
In addition to a state license to operate, some industries will require a permit that has been locally issued. Requirements may vary dependent on the company town and city. Phoenix City, for example, holds its own set of unique business requirements.
Several essential businesses can be exempted from a local licensing requirement under the Federal or state law, make sure to consult a business lawyer in Phoenix to know more about the permits and licenses and know more details on the business license requirements.
Don’t forget the important file records of your Business form
In addition to getting the required permits and licenses, some forms of companies like a limited liability company and corporation are required to file their records within the state.
To be specific, LLCs, corporations and specific forms of businesses must ready their organization documents and submit them to the ACC or Arizona Corporation Commission. Make sure to check their website for more details about the corporation Division forms.
Secure your professional License
If you belong to many of those occupations and profession that needs professional requirements to operate, like medical clinic, dental clinics, law firm – you will need to have or get your license in the State of Arizona.
In contrary to many other states’ resources, the Arizona state government doesn’t have an online resource yet that consolidates the listing of licensed occupations and professions and the resources to their licensing requirements and regulatory boards. Thus, you need to use your internet research skills for the occupation or profession you are interested in.
Get your business name registered (trade name and mark)
Whether its a fictitious or assumes business name, many companies don’t just simply run under their desired names or use the name of the owner. Rather, companies administer under a registered business name, just like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Mcdonalds.
Startup companies choose a brand name and logo which is commonly known as trademark and they have it registered on their local state. Additionally, businesses like LLCs and corporations may opt to originally register their company in the State following one’s name (most of the time, name of the owner, true name, or actual name).
However, in most cases, they later opt to work under a brand name. It really depends on where you are doing your company and how it is structured but the alternate business name or brand name is important since its technically considered as DBA or “do business as- then the name of the company” the company itself and not solely by the owner.
Register your Arizona business on a “trade name” by filing a form to the SOS or Secretary of State, Arizona. Though, the filing is not essentially required but it will have some legal grounds in the future. To know more information and have an idea of the state local requirements, better check the SOS website, under the Trademark and Trade names section.
Final Thoughts
Starting a business can be both exciting and exhausting for those who are new in the industry, but with some research, online resources, and your trusted business attorney intervention, the process can be smooth sailing and all you have to worry about is how to grow and expand your company in Arizona.
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