Starting a small business in Texas is a fantastic idea. The combination of geographic location, a highly skilled workforce, a low tax burden, and an affordable cost of living makes for an excellent business start-up climate. If you’ve been meaning to register a business in Texas, we don’t blame you. Now is a great time.
That said, to start your business, you’ll need to work through some bureaucratic hurdles to get there. The Texas Government website provides a few resources, but they’re scattered across departments. To help you out, we’ve streamlined the process and presented it as a guide below.
A Guide to Register a Business in Texas
Before you register a business in Texas, you’ll need to do a few things outside of state bureaucracy. This means writing your business plan, choosing your location, and figuring out how to finance the operation. From there, you’ll need to start the registration process. This entails determining the legal structure of the business and filing the name with the state and/or county. Sole proprietorships and partnerships often need to register with the county clerk, but if you decide to incorporate, register with the Secretary of State’s Office.
At this point, you’ll also want to figure out your tax responsibilities. State tax filings are done through the Comptroller of Public Accounts, but if you’re confused about your taxes, you can find your local appraisal district and tax office. Don’t forget about your unemployment insurance liability, too. Employers must register with the Texas Workforce Commission within 10 days of becoming liable under the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act. You will receive a TWC employment tax account number upon completion. To complete your unemployment tax registration, use this state resource.
Then, you should figure out what business licenses and permits you’ll need to secure before opening up shop. The Business Permit Office provides comprehensive information on permits and licenses your specific enterprise may need. Once you have those, you’re ready to cut the opening day ribbon!
Buy Your Texas Payroll Software Now
If you’re about to register a business in Texas, you likely haven’t considered Texas payroll software. That said, this is the perfect time to start your accounting research. Once your business is up and running, you will want all your accounting information in one place. This will help when it comes time to hire employees or file taxes. It’s easier to gain familiarity with a software as you’re starting up rather than trying to switch when things get busy.
AMS Payroll is the perfect business accounting software, and it’s a great option for new owners. This tool will store both business and personal information, which is important for all types of filing needs. The software automatically calculates local, state, and federal taxes, assists in electronic filing, and can import and export data to a variety of sources. Plus, at , it’s a great option for newer businesses operating on shoestring budgets. If you have any questions, call our Sales and Information team at 800-536-1099.