Whether you’re starting a business or closing one down, it can be difficult and time-consuming to figure out everything you need to do to “make it official” with various government entities. Below is a basic outline of the federal and state paperwork you need to complete to legally form or dissolve a business, along with a state-by-state guide of the specific links you need in order to complete these steps.
Starting a Business
Once you’ve written a business plan, chosen a trade name, and formed any necessary partnership or shareholders’ agreements, you’ll need to complete the following steps in order to formally establish your business at the federal and state levels:
- Register for a federal tax number (EIN): Most sole proprietors can skip this step, but corporations and partnerships will need to acquire an employer identification number. Learn more about whether you need an EIN, then learn how to apply.
- Register to pay federal taxes: You can do this here.
- Obtain any necessary specialized federal permits: If you’re practicing agriculture, selling alcohol or firearms, producing nuclear energy, providing transportation, or conducting certain other activities in the course of your business, you may need a specialized permit.
- Consider trademarking your trade name: While you don’t absolutely have to do this in order to legally operate your business, doing so helps prevent others from doing business under the same name, or under a name that might be easily confused with yours.
- File your articles of organization with your state: If you’re forming a corporation, LLC, partnership, or cooperative, you’ll need to file your articles of incorporation, articles of organization, or statement of partnership with the state (different states may use slightly different terminology to refer to this documentation, but the concepts are the same.)
- Register your trade name with your state: If you’re doing business under your legal name as a sole proprietor, or as a business that has already made one of the above filings, you can skip this step. If you’re using a fictitious name, or “trade name,” you’ll need to register a Doing Business As (DBA).
- Get business licenses/permits: Individual states handle business licensing and taxation differently. Some states require a general business license, but most of the time, this is handled at the local level. Depending on the type of business you’ll be operating, you may need a professional license or specialized permits.
- Register to pay state taxes: You’ll need to register with your state’s department of revenue to pay taxes (which may vary depending on your state and business activities.)
- Register to pay for unemployment insurance: If your business will have employees (outside of the owners/partners in the business), you’ll need to pay into your state’s unemployment insurance program.
- Provide proof of Workers’ Compensation insurance: If your business will have employees, you may need to enroll in your state’s insurance program or provide verification of self-insurance or insurance coverage through an outside carrier. Requirements vary by state.
Ending a Business
Before you can close a business, you’ll need to settle your affairs. This means paying off your debts (or declaring bankruptcy), making final payroll and tax payments, selling any assets, and making/reporting final distributions to owners and/or shareholders.
At the state level, you’ll need to file a “Statement of Dissolution” (terminology may vary by state and business type) to officially dissolve your business entity.
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State Links: Starting or Dissolving a Business
Alabama
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment tax
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a business
- General forms index
Alaska
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment tax
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Arizona
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve a partnership
- General forms index
Arkansas
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
California
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Colorado
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business & unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Connecticut
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- File articles of dissolution, LLC
- File renunciation of status, LLP
- General forms index
Delaware
- Filings for corporations and partnerships
- One Stop Business Registration & Licensing
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolving a business
Florida
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
Georgia
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- General forms index
Hawaii
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Idaho
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Illinois
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General links
Indiana
- File for a new business
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a business
- General forms index
Iowa
- File for a corporation, LLC, or LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Kansas
- Register a business/complete filings
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a business
- General forms index
Kentucky
- Register a business
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a business
- General forms index
Louisiana
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- General forms index
Maine
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- General forms index
Maryland
- Register a business
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- General forms index
Massachusetts
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- General forms index
Michigan
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Minnesota
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Mississippi
- Register a business
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a business
Missouri
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Montana
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Nebraska
- Register a business
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Register to pay unemployment insurance
- Dissolve a business
Nevada
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- General forms index
New Hampshire
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
New Jersey
- Register a business
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a business
- General forms index
New Mexico
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
New York
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
North Carolina
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
North Dakota
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- General forms index
Ohio
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Oklahoma
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Oregon
- Register a business & trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a business
Pennsylvania
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Rhode Island
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- General forms index
South Carolina
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
South Dakota
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Tennessee
- Register a business
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- General forms index
Texas
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a business
- General forms index
Utah
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Vermont
- Register a business
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a business
- General forms index
Virginia
- Form or dissolve a corporation
- Form or dissolve an LLC
- Form or dissolve an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- General forms index
Washington
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
- Washington Sales Tax Guide
West Virginia
- Register a business & trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
- More resources on starting an LLC
Wisconsin
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
Wyoming
- File articles of incorporation
- File for an LLC
- File for an LLP
- Register a trade name
- Apply for business licenses/permits
- Register to pay business taxes
- Register to pay unemployment taxes
- Learn about workers’ compensation
- Dissolve a corporation
- Dissolve an LLC
- Dissolve an LLP
- General forms index
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