Starting a new business is very exciting you are energized and cannot wait to start. It is too easy to ignore the need for licenses and permits. However, there are some licenses a Makeup Artist needs. Additionally, certain permits and registrations are mandatory per law. Before you can legally begin to operate your business, you need to have all required licenses and permits in place. Also, if you have employees or sell taxable goods or services, you need to register with the authorities overseeing taxation. Requirements vary by business type and depend on where you do business.

What Happens If I Am Not Licensed?

When you do not comply with all required licenses, permits, and tax registrations you could be legally unprotected, which may result in expensive penalties, and even endanger your business.

With the continuous need to create more income, governments are usually on the lookout for alternative revenue streams. As a result the vigilance for business license evaders is ever increasing. The involvement of non government collectors is not unusual. Two of the dangers of insufficient licensing are that you may have to close your location until all licenses are obtained or your are hit with hefty penalties (including interest), or even personal liens.

Where Do I Get Business Licenses?

Business licenses, permits, and tax registrations are issued and administered by all levels of government, federal, state, and local, which includes county and municipal governments. In many cases you may need licenses on each governmental level. Additionally, there are numerous agencies and departments involved in the licensing process.

What Are These Licenses, Permits, and Tax Registrations?

Common licenses, permits, and tax registrations that a beauty related business may need include for example:

  • Business License
  • Home Occupation Permit
  • Land Use Permit/Zoning Clearance
  • Building Permit
  • Business Property Statement
  • Health Department Permit
  • Sales Tax License
  • Doing Business As Statement
  • Sellers Permit
  • Fire and Police Department Permit
  • Withholding Tax Registration

How Do I Know Which Licenses I Need?

With all the different layers of governance it is indeed very difficult to figure out which licenses are needed. Even when some state governments offer detailed information (e.g. in California) a feeling of missing something important often remains.

For this reason we recommend getting in contact with your local office of the Small Business Administration, where you can explain what your business is about and get help with the kind of licenses you need.

LegalZoom offers in cooperation with BusinessLicenses.com a so called Business License Compliance Package.
This is recommended if you want to save yourself the footwork. You will receive an individualized package in electronic format, delivered via e-mail, that will provide you with all the licensing applications, forms, associated documents as well as all the necessary instructions and related information.

By the way, some states require to publish your business name in a newspaper to complete your Doing Business As or DBA statement. LegalZoom helps with that to as part of the DBA filing process.

photo credit: FeatheredTar

[one_third last=”no”][/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”][ois skin=”About”][/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”][/one_third]