Starting a business in the United States involves a handful of paperwork steps that are easy to do in the wrong order. This checklist puts the common ones in a sensible sequence, with links to official government pages.
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General information for the United States only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules vary by state, city and industry, so confirm details with official sources or a qualified professional.
The basics, in order
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Write down the idea and the numbers List your price, your cost per unit and your monthly fixed costs, then run them through our break-even calculator.Open Choose a business structure Sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or corporation. The SBA notes that sole proprietors can be personally liable for business debts, while LLCs and corporations usually protect personal assets.Pick a name and check if you need a DBA If you trade under a name that is not your legal name or your company's legal name, many states require you to register a DBA.Register with your state if required LLCs, corporations, partnerships and nonprofits usually register with the Secretary of State or a similar office. The SBA says most registrations cost under $300, but fees vary.Get a free EIN from the IRS Apply directly on IRS.gov. The IRS warns that you never have to pay a fee for an EIN, so avoid sites that charge for one.Open a business bank account Keeping business money separate from personal money makes taxes easier and supports liability protection. Banks typically ask for an EIN, formation documents and any business license.Check federal, state and local licenses Some activities need federal permits, and most locations have state, county or city rules. Note renewal dates, since some licenses expire.Learn your tax obligations Income, employment and sales taxes depend on your structure and location. Individuals who expect to owe $1,000 or more generally make quarterly estimated payments using Form 1040-ES.Set up simple bookkeeping Track every sale and expense from day one. The SBA suggests keeping tax and employment records for three to seven years depending on the document.Review your numbers monthly Compare actual sales with your break-even point and watch cash flow, not just profit.Open 
