How to Start a Business

STEPS

Procedure(s) to incorporating a company

1. Decide your company name

2. Go to https://apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/ and look up the availability of your chosen name

3. Decide the structure of your company ex: c-corp, s-corp, llc, sole proprietorship

4. Log into https://my.ny.gov/ 

5. Find the NYS Business Express tab: https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/home (Follow the step by step instructions)

1. Get your certificate of incorporation https://dos.ny.gov/certificate-incorporation-domestic-business-corporation (it costs $165 depending on if you get certified copies or not)

2. Apply for an EIN

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

3. Register for any licenses that your company needs

https://www.tax.ny.gov/bus/multi/register_license.htm 

4. Apply for your Sales Tax Certificate of Authority

https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/answers/cms/a_id/2058/kw/certificate%20of%20authority  

New Business

• Create your company Bylaws (whatever rules you want to create for your company should be in the Bylaws) 

• Open up a Business Banking Account using your new Company name and your EIN

• Get a Company Website with the name of your new company if you plan on having an internet presence.

• Apply for a Business Loan and Business Credit

NOTES

• You have now created a legal business which is a separate legal entity. 

• You can now do one of two things:  

  • Hire New Employees for your company and start running your new company

  • Look for someone to Hire your new business to work

•    Note that if you work for another company you should use your EIN NOT your social security number. Anything that you do under your EIN is considered your business while anything that’s done under your social security number is considered for your personal self.  

• You get numerous tax benefits from running your own business. If your business is a not for profit organization don’t forget to register for your 501c3 so that you are tax exempt and any of your contributors will receive a tax deduction for any contributions they make to your organization. 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

1. Hold your first company Board Meeting

2. Don’t be scared. If it doesn’t work out you can always dissolve the company and start over just like Donald Trump does.