Permits/Licenses for a Business?

[sabinophoto]

Long story short, I'm trying to find out if any city or business permits or licenses are required to operate a photography business in texas, specifically houston/harris county.

I know I should consult a lawyer, but I figured I'd ask here first.

[Steelsun]

Need a DBA/Assumed Name from the county.
A Sales Tax Permit from the State.
That's it, easy as pie. You can do both in about 1-2 hours (hit the County Courthouse downtown, I think it's $18 for the 10 year DBA, then the Sales Tax Office on the North Loop, that's free)

[FreeStar Houston]

The DBA can be filed at the downtown civil courts building on the 3rd floor or at any county court annex. It's $15 if you have the form notarized in advance, and $16 if you don't.

http://www.cclerk.hctx.net/PersonalRec/assumnam.htm

The sales and use tax permit can be filed online. Just go here:

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxpermit/

One thing I would recommend is getting a federal employer identification number (FEIN) from the IRS, even if you are a sole proprietor and don't have employees. You can still file business taxes on your personal tax return, but if you ever have to fill out a W-9 for omeone or you hire contract (1099) employees, it keeps you from having to give your social security number to them.

[brad]

In some cases, you may also need to get a Certificate of Occupancy from the city... doesn't (usually) apply for a home based business with no traffic, but will apply if you are getting an office/retail/studio location.

[sabinophoto]

Is a DBA really necessary, if my LLC name is the same as my business name?

[brad]

In some cases, no. Depends on if you want to shorten or abbreviate your name.... we have a DBA for Jenies Technologies Incorporated (our company name) as JTI, for instance...

[Steelsun]

LLC is pretty much a DBA on steroids, and if it's address is in the county (i.e. you didn't use Nevada or Delaware to incorporate/LLC) then you don't need a DBA if the name you operate under is the same

Next year you will also need to file a Property Tax Rendition for all business assets owned after January 1st. The Rendition is due by April 15th and you will receive a tax bill based on your assets. Regardless of whether you office out of your home, you are required to pay business property taxes too.

[sabinophoto]

Thank you for all your input... it definitely helps.