Choose anamefor your business. If you choose to operate your business under your own name you do not need to register the name of the business.
Texas law governing assumed names:Texas Business & Commerce Code chapter 71: Assumed Business or Professional Name
ohttp://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/BC/htm/BC.71.htm
oMust file DBA unless (1) your business name contains your surname; and (2) doesnotcontain any words suggesting other owners (e.g. Company Co. & Company Brothers & Sons & Associates)
2.Check the name to make sure it has not been taken. There can be no duplicate names so if the name is taken you will have to change yours.
Go to the county clerk’s office in the county in which you are doing business and ask to search assumed names or you can go online.
ohttp://www.dallascounty.org/department/countyclerk/asmdname_procedures.php
ohttp://www.dallascounty.org/department/countyclerk/faq-assumed.php
You can also log onto theTexas Secretary of Statewebsiteand clickSOSDirectto create an account and proceed to assumed names check but you are not required to do so if you merely wish to file a DBA in your own county of residence.
ohttp://www.sos.state.tx.us/
ohttp://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml
3.File Assumed Name. County Clerks office where business premise is maintained; if no business premise then in every county where business is conducted.
Certificate of Ownership for Unincorporated Business or Profession(Dallas County):http://www.dallascounty.org/department/countyclerk/documents/DC_AssumednameDallas2a_001.pdf
4. Determine whether your business requires alicensein Texas. Note that Texas is a business-friendly state and does not require a general business license or permit. But some professions and trades do require a license. Examples include professions like doctors and lawyers and trades like barbers cosmetologists air conditioning and refrigeration contractors dieticians midwives polygraph operators athletic trainers combative sports referee (e.g. boxing).
Texas Department of Licenses and Registration (TDLR):http://www.tdlr.texas.gov/
Note that certain licenses and/or permits may also be required if your business has a significant environmental impact (e.g. solid waste wastewater medical waste etc.). The source for information here is the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
ohttp://tceq.state.tx.us/licensing
ohttp://tceq.state.tx.us/permitting/business_types(alphabetical index by business)
5.Obtain anEmployer Identification Number (EIN) which is a tax ID number from the IRS. You will use your EIN for all financial business you conduct in Texas.
https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Apply-for-an-Employer-Identification-Number-(EIN)-Online
Application requires basic information and some information about the nature of the business and how many employees. Cost is free.
IRS Publication 15 is the IRS guide to federal taxation for businesses.
ohttps://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf
6.Go to your local bank and open a new bank account to use specifically for your business. You will need your newly obtainedEIN.
7.Ifthe business involvessales(of tangible personal property) then you must obtain aTexas Sales and Use Tax Permit.
Information on the sales and use tax is available at the website for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
oFrequently Asked Questions:http://comptroller.texas.gov/taxinfo/sales/questions.html
Texas sales tax = 6.25% and localities can add up to 2% more for a maximum total of 8.25%.
oThe City of Dallas does impose the maximum 2% and the sales tax rate in Dallas is therefore the maximum 8.25%. (The state average is7.25%.)
The application for the permit can be completed online:http://comptroller.texas.gov/taxpermit/
Describein detailthe steps you would take to set up your own sole proprietorship in Dallas.You must choose(and describe)a businessand it should be a business you could actually start yourself(i.e. not something that requires professional training you do not havesuch as a law firm or a doctors office).You must choose what product or service(or combination)you are sellingand then choose a name for the business(making sure that the name is availableand describing that process).Then describe the additional stepsas specifically as possibleyou would take to start your particular business.
You should take substantial inspiration from my short essay on setting up a sole proprietorship in Dallas but please do not merely copy the language of my short essay.Dohowevernumber your steps and make your description organizedclear and detailed.Note that this assignment is not designed to be intellectually challengingso dont look fortricks.My short essay has done most of the work for you–but I want you to personalize it with your own businessand I want you to click on the links in my essay.It is designed to immerse you in the very practical task of actually starting a business.