Starting a Business
OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE OR PERMIT
The City of Victor requires a business owner to obtain a business license. In some incidences the federal government may also require that you secure special licenses or permits, depending on your kind of business.
Local Business License
This is an annual license that grants you, as the business owner, the privilege of legally operating a business within city limits. Business licenses expire on December 31st of each year and must be renewed each year to remain active.
State Business Licenses
State business licenses are issued to businesses that provide products or services regulated by state law. For example, special state licenses are required for doctors, lawyers, hairdressers, realtors, auto mechanics, private investigators, building contractors and others who must meet state licensing requirements- i.e. a certain level of certified training or education. State licenses are also required for business that must meet certain standards or codes, such as restaurants and other establishments that serve alcoholic beverages.
Federal Permits
In general, federal licensing is required for business that is highly regulated by the government. For example, firms providing investment advice, interstate-trucking companies, businesses involved with meat preparation, and those that sell heavily regulated products such as firearms. If you need a federal license, consider consulting an attorney to advise you or to handle the entire application process for you.
Permits
Many businesses are also required to obtain permits such as a Idaho sales tax permit, building permit, and health permits. Generally, permits regulate the safety, structure and the appearance of the community as defined by local and state laws. Before starting a business it's best to first research the kinds of permits you need. This helps ensure that you are in compliance with regulations and avoid costly delays and expenses relating retooling your business after the fact.
- Research the permits you need through the appropriate agency.
- Make sure your business complies with City of Victor and State of Idaho laws.
- Obtain proper application forms and /or set up the proper application procedures (in some cases this might be an onsite inspection).
- File the necessary paperwork to obtain the relevant permit(s), and pay any filing fees.
Useful Websites for Existing and Startup Businesses
Idaho Sites
- www.idahosbdc.org(link is external) (ID Small Business Development Center) - Business Startup Guide
- www.idahobizhelp.org(link is external) (USDA) - Business Wizard
- www.sos.idaho.gov/(link is external) (Idaho Secretary of State)
- sto.idaho.gov/Programs/IdahoPrime.aspx(link is external) - Idaho Prime Loan Program
- commerce.idaho.gov/(link is external) (Idaho Department of Commerce)
- www.tax.idaho.gov(link is external) (Idaho State Tax Commission)
- www.itd.idaho.gov/civil/overview.htm(link is external) (Disadvantaged Business Enterprises ) - certification
- www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/2/3115(link is external) (Boise district office - SBA)
- www.idahovirtualincubator.org(link is external) (e-commerce project)
- www.sba.gov(link is external) (Small Business Administration) - links to business info, forms, agencies, publications, women, veterans
- www.sba.gov/vets (link is external)(SBA site for veterans)
- www.vetbiz.gov(link is external) (Dept. of Veterans Affairs - links to vet assistance)
- www.cfda.gov(link is external) (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) - Federal programs
- www.firstgov.gov(link is external) (GSA) - Government services for businesses, citizens
- www.hhs.gov/grantsnet(link is external) (Health & Human Services ) - Grant info
- www.afterschool.gov(link is external) (grant writing tips) - see "How To Get Money" link
- www.onlinewbc.gov(link is external) (Online Women's Business Center - SBA)
- www.loc.gov/copyright(link is external) (Library of Congress - Copyright Office) - laws, forms
- www.doc.gov(link is external) (U.S. Department of Commerce)
- www.uspto.gov(link is external) (Patents and Trademarks Office)
- www.mbda.gov(link is external) (Minority business Development Agency) - Dept. of Commerce
- www.bea.doc.gov(link is external) (Bureau of Economic Analysis)
- www.ecommerce.gov(link is external) (U.S. economic policy for e-commerce)
- www.irs.gov(link is external) (Internal Revenue Service)
- www.dol.gov(link is external) (U.S. Department of Labor)
- www.quickfacts.census.gov(link is external) (Census Bureau) - condensed census data
- www.cfda.gov(link is external) (Catalog of Dederal Domestic Assistance) - Federal programs
- www.firstgov.gov(link is external) Online Government services for businesses & citizens
- www.ccr.gov(link is external) (Central Contracting Registration_ - Only registered contractors can do business with the federal government - register here
- idahosbdc.org (Small Business Development Center) - business plans
- www.nawbo.org(link is external) (National Association of Women Business Owners)
- www.hispanicbusiness.com (link is external)Information for Hispanic business people
- www.codetalk.fed.us (link is external)(HUD website for Native American communities)
- www.ncaied.org(link is external) (National Center for American Indian Enterprise Dev.)
- www.onaben.org(link is external) (Organization of Native American Business & Entrepreneurial Network)
