Start My Business | nc.gov

Questions about Doing Business as (DBA)?

Doing Business As (DBA) Form is also known as Assumed Business Name Form. If you decide to use a DBA name that differs from the legal name of your business, check with the Register of Deeds in the county where your business is located to learn whether you need to register your DBA with their office. For questions about DBA form, call EDPNC Small Business Advisors at 1-800-228-8443

Obtain Necessary Licenses & Permits

North Carolina has no single generic business license that will ensure compliance with all requirements. Some businesses may be subject to several state requirements while others may not be subject to any. For questions about which license or permit your business needs, call EDPNC Small Business Advisors at 1-800-228-8443.

Accordion

Prepare for Applicable Taxes

Small business taxes and employer requirements can be simple or complex depending on the size and structure of your business. In addition, specific tax liability for each type of business is different. We have information on: Sales & Use Tax, Privilege License Tax, State & Local Tax, State Withholding Taxes, Federal Taxes

Accordion

Who Should Register for Sales and Use Tax? Check out the North Carolina Department of Revenue Page to find out more.

North Carolina Department of Revenue provides tutorial videos on how to complete the most common sales & use tax forms and how to register for a sales & use account.

How you can apply for Sales & Use Tax - Watch a Video on how you can apply for Sales & Use Tax with NC Department of Revenue (NCDOR).

State privilege license taxes are imposed for the privilege of carrying on the business, exercising the privilege or doing the act named in Article 2, Schedule B of the Revenue Laws of North Carolina. These privilege license taxes are in addition to any regulatory or qualification requirements to engage in the practice of a profession, business or trade.

Does Privilege License Tax apply to My Business?

NC Department of Revenue (NCDOR) online business registration allows you to electronically register for an account ID number for income tax withholding, sales and use tax, and other taxes and Service Charge instead of submitting Form NC-BR.

Watch a Video on how you can apply for Income Tax Withholding with NC Department of Revenue (NCDOR).

Check out upcoming events and webinars offered by NC Department of Revenue (NC DOR) that include topics like Business Tax essentials, Withholding Tax basics, Sales & Use Tax Basics, Privilege License Tax Webinar.

Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) offers free online training to help small businesses be successful. Some of the topics include: Pre-Venture Training Series, SBIR/STTR Grant eligibility and proposal process Training, Government Contracting, Safety and Health Management, Small Business Tax workshop.

Check out upcoming free seminars and workshops offered by Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) to help small businesses be successful. Some of the popular topics include: Business and Income Tax Seminars, Think like a Lender, Kickstart your business in 4 weeks, Supply Chain Management.

Small Business Centers offer year round a wide variety of free seminars and workshops to help small businesses be successful. Some of the topics include: How to Start a Business, How to write a Business Plan, Financing Your Business, Bookkeeping and Taxes, Marketing for Success

Obtain Insurance, as applicable

Are you required to carry Workers' Compensation Insurance? Check out the North Carolina Industrial Commission's Worker's Compensation page to find out more.

Worker's Compensation

NC Department of Labor (NCDOL) helps the employer determine which Occupational Safety and Health Standards apply to them as it pertains to record keeping, general industry, construction, agriculture, shipyard employment (public sector) and marine terminals (public sector). This includes North Carolina state-specific standards.

NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) lists all rules and regulations for Air Quality, Coastal Management, Energy, Mineral and Land Resources, Mining, Marine Fisheries, Waste Management, Water Resources.

Do Environmental Regulations Apply to your business? Contact the Small Business Advisors at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) helpline.

Arrange for Business Financing

How much money will it take to start your small business? Calculate the startup costs for your small business so you can request funding, attract investors, and estimate when you’ll turn a profit.

Calculate your Startup Costs

Accordion

Small Business Center Network (SBCN) provides some very good resources for you to review as you start determining how you might want to finance your business .

The Small Business & Technology Development Center SBTDC’s Capital Opportunities for Small Businesses provides information about financial resources available to small businesses in North Carolina.

The Entrepreneurship Hub provides information about financial resources available to small businesses in North Carolina.

Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) provides counseling assistance to growth companies seeking equity capital, help with loan package preparation, offers educational programs for both qualified investors and growth company entrepreneurs, works with angel and venture capital funds, and serves as a statewide resource and connection to private equity investment and funding opportunities.

Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) specialize in financing to underserved communities and businesses — including nonprofits. If you’re located in a low-income or rural area, or you’re a member of a historically disadvantaged group, you might be able to get approved for more competitive terms with these lenders than elsewhere.

Open a Business Bank Account

SBTDC Counselors can help guide you in choosing the right bank for your Business.

How to choose the right bank?

Startup

SBTDC offers this FREE Startup Accelerator Program. Participants will learn about different aspects of starting a business, including identifying potential markets, writing a business plan, running the finances of a business, and marketing a business. You’ll work with mentors and peers in fun breakout activities designed to help strengthen your business ideas and prepare you for success!

Taking the Leap – Kickstart Your Business in 4 Weeks

Accordion

Find entrepreneurship events, programs, and seminars at The Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub. We offer a broad range of opportunities to develop your start-up, Kickstart your Business in 4 weeks, Time Management for Small Business Owners, How to Finance your Small Business, Marketing your Business with Social Media, Basics of Bookkeeping.

Contact

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) – an extension of NC Dept. of Commerce

EDPNC

Questions about Doing Business as (DBA)?

Obtain Necessary Licenses & Permits

Prepare for Applicable Taxes

Obtain Insurance, as applicable

Arrange for Business Financing

Open a Business Bank Account

Startup

Contact

Related Links