The factors you need to consider when choosing a business structure depend on your needs and desires for personal liability protection, tax obligations, and paperwork to keep the business compliant. Pennsylvania has a wealth of resources to help businesses grow and thrive, including free or low-cost technical and consulting services provided by business experts from across the state. No other state can compete with Pennsylvania and its unique blend of culture and tradition, innovation and entrepreneurship, technology and talent. Keystone State is proud to lead the way in successful businesses and communities through innovation, imagination and a legendary can-do spirit. Learn more about who we are. For help with registration, visit the Pennsylvania State Department, the Bureau of Companies, or the Online Business Registration Interview (OBRI), a step-by-step wizard that guides users through the process of registering a business with the Departments of Labor and Industry, Revenue, and Government. It is designed for users who are not familiar with Pennsylvania`s taxes, services, and business registration requirements. Also companies that have not registered their limited liability company, company, limited partnership, limited liability company or fictitious name with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Formally select a business idea, product, or service you want to sell. This may seem like an easy step, but think carefully about what exactly you`re going to sell and whether you have the skills and qualifications to run a business. It`s also a good time to think about the feasibility of making your business idea profitable. Business growth is the result of prudent business decisions made over time and can include immersion in new markets, expansion into a new location, purchase of new equipment, and more.
Whichever path you choose, we have the resources and expertise to help you take your business to the next level. If you want to have a physical presence, look for possible locations for your business. If necessary, analyze this location for traffic, parking, customer and access to delivery. The type of business structure you want to form determines how you register the company with the state. Use our Guide to Choosing a Business Structure to decide which business structure is best for you, whether it`s sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations. Order all necessary notices about your intention to do business in the community by promoting the fictitious name. Changing the name of a company in Pennsylvania can be done in two ways: by filing a fictitious name or by submitting a change to the legal name of an existing company. If you are dealing with a name that is not yours, for example, ”Jane`s Gift Shop”, you will need to register the name with the state.
Pennsylvania is committed to helping budding entrepreneurs realize their business dreams by providing the right training, advice, and resources to help individuals make good business decisions when planning and launching a new business. Whether you`re just getting started with your business plan, choosing your business structure, or looking for business advice and guidance, we`ve got you covered. You can determine your company`s licensing requirements and submit applications online through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) website. The Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop is a new resource for budding entrepreneurs and existing business owners. This guide will guide you through the resources available to help you plan, register, operate, and grow a business in Pennsylvania while working smart and living happily. Registration of a company name in Pennsylvania occurs when you form your business entity (LLC or Corporation) with the state. You must first select your business structure and then perform a company name search to ensure that the names are available. After that, you need to form your entity with your company name and state. Some companies may also prefer to register only one DBA. Follow our step-by-step guide and read our FAQ to get started. Zoning – Before you start operating a business (even if it`s based at home), you should review local zoning bylaws before you start operating in a location.
Pennsylvania does not offer a statewide general commercial license. Licenses in this state must be purchased locally and requirements vary depending on the type of business. Write a business plan. Make sure it includes your management, marketing, production, and financial strategies. If necessary, install a work phone or additional private phone lines. A state-level name search is not required for informal business structures such as sole proprietorships or partnerships in Pennsylvania. However, if you decide to register a dummy name or a database administrator name, you must search the database to see if the desired name is unique and available. While these costs can be high for a startup or start-up, it gives your corporate brand national protection backed by federal laws. That said, if others are trying to do business with the same name — or a similar name — as you, you have a precedent on your side. For most small businesses, this is really not necessary unless they are thinking about becoming national.
Get appropriate business insurance or a commercial endorsement for a home insurance policy. There are several federal, state, and local rules and regulations that require Pennsylvania businesses to register and comply with them. Some common registrations are: Learn about the differences in the structure of the company and determine the best one for your business. The most common options are: sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation. The State of Pennsylvania does not require registration if you operate the business under your own legal name. .