Business One-Stop Shop Help Center

The Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop has compiled a collection of help guides, videos and business licensing reference guides to assist businesses and entrepreneurs to start, grow, and operate a business in Pennsylvania. Continue to visit this page often as additional help guides, videos and business licensing reference guides will be added.
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Create a Business Checklist and Save your Progress
Use this guide to create a business checklist and link it to a business profile. Linking a checklist to a business profile activates the checklist progress status bar and allows you to save your checklist progress.

Create a Business Profile in the Business Hub
Use this guide to create a business profile in the Business One-Stop Shop Hub for your new or existing business.

Create a Keystone Login Account
Use this guide to create a Keystone Login Account to access the Business One-Stop Shop Hub.

Entrepreneur's Guide
Starting a business is an exciting adventure on which many Pennsylvanians embark every year. Each entrepreneur is unique. No matter what level of business experience or expertise, the Entrepreneur’s Guide: Starting and Growing a Business in Pennsylvania will provide you with valuable information that will help with business startup and growth.

Federal, State, County, and Local License Guide
There is no general business license that all Pennsylvania businesses must obtain. Instead, licensing is determined by the business activity, as well as where the business is located. Use this guide for assistance with determining whether you need a Federal, State, County, and/or Local business license based on your business activity and location.

Find Small Business Funding in PA
Use this guide to find sources of small business funding in Pennsylvania.

Hire Remote Employees in Pennsylvania
Use this guide to complete the necessary steps to hire a remote employee working in PA.

Manage Your Keystone Login Account
Use this guide to learn about and manage your Keystone Login Account and/or to find contact information for the PA Business One-Stop Shop, PA Department of State, and Keystone Login.

Register a PA Domestic LLC
Use this guide to register a PA Domestic Limited Liability Company.

Register for a User Account in the Business Hub
Use this guide for assistance with creating a new user account in the Business One-Stop Shop Hub.

Store Documents in the Business Hub
Use this guide to conveniently save documents in the Business One-Stop Shop Hub.

Update a Business Address in Pennsylvania
Use this guide to complete the necessary steps to update your business address in Pennsylvania.

PA Department of State PA Department of State

Amend or Close an Existing Business in BFS
Use this guide to amend/close an existing business in Pennsylvania (e.g., Change of Registered Office, Business Name Change, Certificate of Termination, Articles of Dissolution, Voluntary Termination/Dissolution, etc.).

Business Filing Services Portal Overview
Use this guide for general assistance with navigating the Department of State’s Business Filing Services.

Check the Status of a Recent Transaction in BFS
Use this guide to check the status of and/or download documents for a recent transaction in Business Filing Services (e.g., New/Amended Filings, Document Order Requests, UCC Filings, UCC Information Requests, and Trademarks).

Customer Deposit Accounts
Use this guide for assistance with setting up a Customer Deposit Account in the Department of State’s Business Filings Services (BFS). Customer Deposit Accounts are prepaid accounts used to pay for filings submitting to the PA Department of State. These accounts are typically used by third-party service providers and are not required to pay for filings in BFS.

Guide to Business Registration in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of State is one of the main agencies you will work with to get your business started. Their Guide to Business Registration in Pennsylvania provides valuable information about the process of registering your business including filing guidelines for each business structure and the Schedule of Fees for Department of State services. Use this guide as an informational source for business transactions conducted with the Department.

Obtain a PIN in BFS
Use this guide for assistance with obtaining a PIN in the Department of State’s Business Filing Services (BFS). Requesting and confirming a PIN allows you to gain access to specific records in BFS. Once you have gained access to a record, it will appear in My Records where you can quickly amend or close your business and/or file annual reports.

Purchase Business Documents in BFS
Use this guide to purchase previously filed documents (e.g., formation documents, amendments, annual reports, subsistence certificates/certificates of registration, also known as good standing, etc.) in Business Filing Services.

Start a New Business in BFS
Use this guide to register a new business in Pennsylvania (e.g., LLCs, Corporations, Fictitious Names, Partnerships, etc.).

PA Department of Revenue PA Department of Revenue

Apply for State Business Taxes
Use this guide to apply for Pennsylvania business tax accounts (e.g., Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax, Corporate Net Income, Employer Withholding, Unemployment Compensation, etc.), using the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.

Complete the PA Tax Exemption Certificate
Use this guide to properly completing the PA Exemption Certificate (REV-1220).

Employer Withholding Information Guide
Use this guide to find general information about Pennsylvania Employer Withholding Tax, including registering, collecting, filing, and paying.

Retailer’s Information Guide
Use this guide to find general information about State and Local Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax, Public Transportation Assistance Fund Taxes and Fees, and Vehicle Rental Tax, including registering, collecting, filing, and paying. Additionally, there is a list of goods and services designated as taxable (T) or non-taxable (NT). This will help you determine whether sales tax should be collected on sales of specific goods/services in PA.

Tax Information for Farmers
Use this guide to find general information about State and Local Sales and Use tax as it relates to farming, including taxability and exemptions.

PA Department of Community and Economic Development PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Video Guide Description
How To Apply for a PA Business Tax Account
This video will demonstrate the process to apply for Pennsylvania business taxes. While the video is relevant for all business tax types and structures, the specific tax types and structures demonstrated in this video are Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax, Employer Withholding, Unemployment Compensation, and Workers’ Compensation for a single-member LLC. Follow along to ensure you avoid common mistakes and complete the filing correctly. By the end of the video, you should be ready to submit your registration in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.
How to Register a Fictitious Name for Your Business in Pennsylvania
This video will demonstrate the process to submit the Fictitious Name Registration to register a “Doing Business As (DBA)” name in Pennsylvania. Follow along question by question to ensure you avoid common mistakes and complete the filing correctly. By the end of the video, you should be ready to submit your filing in the Department of State’s Business Filing Services system.
How to Register a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Pennsylvania
This video will demonstrate the process to submit the Certificate of Organization to register a Domestic Limited Liability Company in Pennsylvania. Follow along question by question to ensure you avoid common mistakes and complete the filing correctly. By the end of the video, you should be ready to submit your filing in the Department of State’s Business Filing Services system.
Resources For Women Owned Businesses & Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Learn more about the state and federal resources available for Pennsylvania's women-owned and aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn about counseling services, women-owned business certifications, funding, government contracting, and professional services.
Steps to Hiring Employees in Pennsylvania
This video will discuss the process to obtain the necessary business accounts when hiring Pennsylvania-based employees for the first time. First, learn about the rates and filing requirements for federal withholding taxes (e.g., Federal Income Tax, Social Security and Medicare taxes, as well as Federal Unemployment Tax). Next, learn about applying for and filing state withholding taxes (e.g., Employer Withholding Tax, Unemployment Compensation, and Workers’ compensation, as well as New Hire Reporting). Finally, learn how to obtain the necessary local withholding taxes (e.g., Earned Income Tax and the Local Service Tax).
PA Department of Revenue PA Department of Revenue
Video Guide Description
Accessing Accounts with Federal Tax Information
Watch this video for assistance with requesting access to a tax account number under another primary user profile containing federal tax information in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system. This may be necessary for third parties requiring access to information in a business owner’s and/or individual’s account.
How to Create a Primary User Profile
Watch this video for assistance with creating a primary user profile in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system. Primary user profiles are designed for those individuals who own the Tax ID number used to create the profile. This includes the taxpayer who owns the social security number or the business owner who owns the business tax identification number.
Filing Sales Tax Returns
Watch this video for assistance with filing and paying sales tax returns and payments in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.
Requesting Account Access
Watch this video for assistance with requesting access to a tax account number under another primary user profile in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system. This is necessary for third parties requiring access to information in a business owner’s and/or individual’s account.
Updating the Legal Name of Your Business
Watch this video for assistance with updating your legal business name in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.
Updating Your Address
Watch this video for assistance with updating your business address(es) in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.
PA Department of Revenue
myPATH Videos
More Revenue Videos...
Click the Department of Revenue Icon to the left to view additional video tutorials related to the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.

Animal Groomers
Use this guide if you intend to open an animal grooming business. While there is no specific licensing for animal groomers, you can learn more about collecting sales tax as well as claiming sales tax exemptions.

Auto Mechanics and Garages
Use this guide if you intend to open an auto mechanic shop, garage, body shop, repair shop, or similar business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax, sales tax exemptions, and becoming a state inspection/emissions station.

Childcare Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a childcare business. Learn more about childcare licensing as well as obtaining the necessary Child Protective Services Law clearances.

Cleaning Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a residential and/or commercial cleaning business. While there is no specific licensing for cleaning businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax as well as claiming sales tax exemptions as it relates to building cleaning services.

Clothing Stores and Boutiques
Use this guide if you intend to open an online or physical clothing store, boutique, pop-up shop, eCommerce, or similar business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax as well as claiming sales tax exemptions.

Construction Contractors/Landscapers
Use this guide if you intend to open a residential and/or commercial construction contracting or landscaping business. Learn more about sales tax, as well as sales tax exemptions related to contracting work, the Home-Improvement Contractor’s license, and working with asbestos and lead paint.

eCommerce/Online Retail/Graphic Design
Use this guide if you intend to open an eCommerce, online retail, graphic design, or similar business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax online and in person, using third party sellers, and claiming sales tax exemptions.

Grocery/Convenience/Corner Stores
Use this guide if you intend to open a grocery store, supermarket, convenience store, corner store, bodega, food store, market, or similar business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax, claiming sales tax exemptions, selling tobacco products, becoming a lottery retailer, accepting SNAP/EBT payments, food licensing, and selling alcohol.

Hair/Nail Salons/Barbershops
Use this guide if you intend to open a hair salon, nail salon, and/or barbershop. Learn more about sales tax and sales tax exemptions as it relates to barbers and beauticians and obtaining a cosmetology and/or barber license.

Homemade Craft/Food Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a homemade craft and/or food business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax, claiming sales tax exemptions, food licensing, and stuffed toys/bedding and upholstery requirements.

Manufacturers/Processors/Wholesalers
Use this guide if you intend to open a manufacturing/processing/wholesaling business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about the sales tax license/wholesaler certificate, claiming sales tax exemptions, stuffed toy/bedding and upholstery requirements, and food licensing

Non-Profit Organizations
Use this guide if you intend to open a non-profit organization. While there is no specific licensing for non-profit organizations, you can learn more about obtaining 501c (charitable) status through the IRS, receiving donations, claiming sales tax exemptions, and obtaining state tax accounts.

Photography/Videography Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a photography/videography business. While there is no specific licensing for a photography/videography business, you can learn more about collecting sales tax as well as claiming sales tax exemptions.

Retail Food Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a restaurant, catering, food truck, event stand, bar/club, market, deli, butcher, farmer’s market, or similar business. Learn more about collecting sales tax, claiming sales tax exemptions, food licensing, and selling alcohol.

Security Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a security, watchmen, patrol, surveillance, private detective, or similar business. Learn more about armed security requirements, Act 235 certification, and abiding by the Private Detective Act of 1953.

Staffing Agency Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a staffing agency, employment agency, help-supply, or similar business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax as well as requirements associated with home health/care agencies.

Transportation Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a transportation business moving goods and/or people. Learn more about obtaining a commercial driver’s license, motor carrier license, registration plate requirements, miscellaneous dealer requirements (e.g., towing and repair, vehicle salvage, transporter services, financier or collector-repossessor, transportation of watercraft), operating between states (interstate hauler), and moving hazardous materials.

Yoga/Reiki Studio/Med Spas/Wellness Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a yoga studio, reiki studio, medical spa, or other wellness business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax, the requirements associated with home health/care agencies, and ownership of a medical spa performing cosmetic medical procedures.

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