Starting a Business in Connecticut Checklist

Check business name availability with the Secretary of the State Start by doing a search to see if your business name is available: http://www.concord-sots.ct.gov/CONCORD/online?sn=PublicInquiry&eid=9740 Business entity names must include a designation like: corporation, inc., incorporated, limited, LLC, L.L.C., etc. Secretary of the State Secretary of the State Commercial Recording Division P.O. Box 150470 Hartford, CT 06115-0470 P: (860) 509-6002 F: (860) 509-6069 crd@ct.gov www.concord.sots.ct.gov
File papers to create my business You form a new business entity by filing the documents with the Secretary of the State of Connecticut. To form a corporation, file a Certificate of Incorporation and pay the $100 filing fee plus $150 minimum franchise tax. To form a Connecticut LLC, file an Application for Registration of Limited Liability Company and pay the $120 fee. Normal processing takes 3-5 days. Expedited processing is available for an extra $50. Mail or fax your paperwork to the Secretary of the State to start your business! All business filings must include filer contact information, business name, business address, registered agent name and address, member/directors names and contact information, and business email address, if available. If corporate filings seem intimidating or you’d just rather have someone else do the filing for you, you can incorporate in Connecticut with Northwest Registered Agent. Commercial Recording Division Secretary of the State Commercial Recording Division P.O. Box 150470 Hartford, CT 06115-0470 P: (860) 509-6002 F: (860) 509-6069 crd@ct.gov www.concord.sots.ct.gov
Register with the Department of Revenue Yes. You can register with the Department of Revenue Services a for variety of taxes (sales and use/income tax withholding/business entity tax) online at https://drsbustax.ct.gov/REG/REGISTRATION.ASPX Income Tax: Corporate tax rate is 7.5% Personal income tax rate ranges from 3%-5% Sales Tax: State sales tax rate is 6.35% and there are no local sales taxes. Business Entity Tax: S – Corporations, LLCs, LLPs and LPs are all subject to the $250 Business Entity Tax. Department of Revenue Services State of Connecticut Department of Revenue Services 25 Sigourney Street Hartford, CT 06106 P:(860) 297-5962
Get a business license There is no state business license but some businesses need a trade or professional license. You can enter your business information online to see what types of licenses you may need http://www.ct-clic.com/business_checklist/Checklist.asp?ChecklistType=Start Any other registration requirements? Connecticut has geographical regions called counties, but they don’t have county governments that do things like issue business licenses. Check with the city where you do business to see if they have licensing requirements. For example: City of New Haven Not all businesses will need a license. Businesses are licensed by the Building Department. The City of New Haven has information on their website for most of the licenses they issue: http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/Building/Business_Resources.asp City of Hartford Hartford does not issue licenses for all businesses. It depends on your business activity. For a list of businesses that must have a City of Hartford License http://www.hartford.gov/business-licenses Business License Info City of New Haven Building Department Permit and License Center 200 Orange Street, Fifth Floor New Haven, CT 06510 P: (203) 946-8046 F: (203) 946-8049 City of Hartford Licenses and Inspections 260 Constitution Plaza Hartford CT, 06103 T: (860) 757-9200 F: (860) 722-6374
Collect and Charge Sales Tax Do I need to collect Connecticut sales tax? If you sell goods in Connecticut, you need to register for sales tax. What is the Connecticut sales tax rate? The state sales tax rate is 6.35% and there are no local sales taxes. How do I register for Connecticut sales tax? You can register with the Department of Revenue online for variety of taxes, including sales and use tax, at https://drsbustax.ct.gov/REG/REGISTRATION.ASPX A confirmation number will be issued when you complete the online application. How much does a Connecticut sales tax license cost? There is a $100 fee to register for Connecticut sales and use tax. Connecticut Department of Revenue State of Connecticut Department of Revenue Services 25 Sigourney Street Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 297-5962 http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?a=1454&q=508078