Success! You are well on your way to registering your business. Based on your answers, we have created a checklist of what you may need to file with the Department of State, Department of Revenue, County, and Local government. Please note, different responses may yield a different checklist. If you wish to try again, please go to Create Your Checklist. If you wish to go back to the question from where you started, please go to Go back to beginning.
Business Registration Checklist
Please note, this information is supplied as a guide and does not take the place of legal or tax advice. If you need additional assistance completing the steps below, we recommend consulting with a lawyer, accountant, and/or an insurance agent for assistance with forming your business. To request no-cost technical assistance for your new or existing business, contact your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
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| Pre-Registration Steps – Complete these steps prior to registering your business. | ||
| Step 1 | Some institutions may have requirements beyond those required by the Commonwealth. Check with your bank or financial institution and insurance company regarding their requirements to open an account. | |
| Step 2 | For information about applicable local taxes, zoning requirements, local licenses, local permits, and any other local regulations, please contact your locality and county governments. These contacts will be determined by the business address you entered. | |
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Conclusion – Review the information below after you’ve completed the steps above. Don’t forget to obtain any local licenses, permits, and/or special licenses that may be necessary based on your business activity, as determined in the pre-registration section of the checklist. Once you’ve completed all the steps on the checklist and received any necessary licenses and/or permits, you should be ready to operate! The federal government requires many corporations, limited liability companies, and other entities created in or registered to do business in the United States to electronically report information regarding their beneficial owners to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) . Beneficial owners are the individuals who ultimately own or control the company. There is no fee, and the reports are only required to be filed once unless beneficial ownership information changes (any changes to beneficial owner information must be updated 30 days afterwards). Companies registered on or after January 1, 2024, must file their report within 90 days upon receipt from their Secretary of State approving their business. Companies created in or registered to do business in the U.S. on or after January 1, 2025, must file their report within 30 days upon receipt from their Secretary of State approving their business. If you have any questions, please visit Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting FAQs page. |
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Additional Resources: PA Commonwealth agencies have grants and funding for business(es), non-profit organizations, and specialty programs. See how you might be able to benefit from the many programs available. |
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Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) provide confidential consulting, free and low-cost training, and ongoing training to entrepreneur’s and small businesses starting and growing a business in Pennsylvania. Please visit https://www.pasbdc.org/locations for the location nearest you. |
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If you require additional assistance or have any questions regarding your Business Registration Checklist, email us using the electronic contact form or call us at 1-833-722-6778, Option 0. |
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