[nicegrl78]

For all those people on YE with website businesses, what kind of registration do you have for you website and how much did it cost you?
I was told that a tax id, statewide name search, and a legalized name would cost me $250, please keep in mind i'm located in NY. Is this the correct amount, do I need anything else or is this all we would need for now?

[Outta Hand]

Do you mean Registration cost for a business? I am a little confused. That sounds like what you are asking about... not Website REG.

Originally posted by nicegrl78
For all those people on YE with website businesses, what kind of registration do you have for you website and how much did it cost you?
I was told that a tax id, statewide name search, and a legalized name would cost me $250, please keep in mind i'm located in NY. Is this the correct amount, do I need anything else or is this all we would need for now?

[nicegrl78]

I do mean a business.

[Killbox INC]

First I would ask if your business is up and running first...I've made the mistake i believe you are about to make before and it's a costly one. I now get a business in the black (profitable) before hassling with the legal headache. This saves big bucks if you want to change something down the road or if you just want to scrap the whole venture all together. For running a Internet business out of your home I don't believe you need any permits, but to be on the safe side you can get a DBA (doing business as) name.. this will allow you to get a business checking account and seperates your income from the "business's" income. When tax time rolls around and its time to pay the man you can use your social security number and DBA name. This is how it is done in california and I don't believe its any different in New York. Anyways heres some info I got from the web about NYC business permits:

New York State offers online application for business permits through
the O.P.A.L. system (Online Permit Assistance and Licensing). I assume
that your business will belong to the category "Online Retail Sales".
To submit an application for a business license in that category,
click this link and follow the instructions that will take you through
the application process:
http://opal.gorr.state.ny.us/gorr/pa...e+Retail+Sales

In case you feel that "Online Retail Sales" does not properly describe
the nature of your business, you can choose a better fitting category
from this list and then proceed with the application process:
http://opal.gorr.state.ny.us/gorr/pa...hoose?OpenForm

Please take also note of this important information on Resale Tax Certificates:
http://opal.gorr.state.ny.us/gorr/pa...3?OpenDocument

Should your particular case for any reasons be more complicated and
not covered by the standard permit application procedures, you should
contact the competent authority and request specific advice:

New York State Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform
Permit Assistance/OPAL
Empire State Plaza
Agency Building 1, 4th Floor
Albany, NY 12220-0107
--
Phone: 800-342-3464
Phone: 518-474-8275
Fax: 518-486-5869
E-Mail: permits@gorr.state.ny.us
Website: http://www.nys-permits.org/

Good luck.

[Jeff]

I run under an LLC, With a DBA (Doing business as) Cost me $110 to have it expedited.

DO NOT use the companies online that do it for you, it really isnt that difficult and can save you a good amount of money.

IT looks like KIllbox has a lot of info for NYC. never hurts to check out your state website, http://www.state.ny.us/ for you. I checked and just like a lot of other states they have a "doing business in New York" link.

[pentupentropy]

I live in NY. It depends on what you want business-wise. Are you applying for a corporate license? This depends on the lawyer. For a simple business license which you can use to DBA yourself and your bank account, (sole proprietorship), your local government center will have the paperwork and clerk on duty. It costs $25.00 for the license. That's it.

[nicegrl78]

I'm not the business owner, its actually 3 of us. What is the difference between the EIN number and the DBA? I have been reading up on the legalities of it all in NYS but i'm still a bit out of touch.

[Jeff]

EIN - Employer ID Number
Much like a social security number but for a business.

DBA - Doing business as
A way to file your business.

[Bscivolette]

Your best bet, just to be sure you have all you need contact the State licensing board. Chances are they have a few offices in NY and they will literally give you a list of what you need and how to do it. Every state wants more business, NY is no exception and they certainly go out of their way to get it.

[nicegrl78]

So to confirm, what is it that I need? I need to register the business with NYS and get an EIN number for reselling things on the website and for website affiliate programs. Is this correct, am I missing anything.

[pentupentropy]

an EIN is most typically associated with a corp or s-corp and/or LLCs and LLP's. The best bet is to spend the extra money on LLP, as it will protect you and your assets from your other partners. Don't even give a second's thought to someone being your best friend or anything like that, it just has no bearing in business. If there is more than one person with ownership, be safe. LLP's will cost you $750 to maybe $1000.00, will come with your EIN/Tax ID (these are like SSNs for businesses), protect the name of your company country-wide and give you tons of advantages in business over a local license. There are places online that will do it cheaper, but I recommend using someone local. Whne you need legal advice in the future, it will be much easier to get it from someone who lives 5 minutes away and is a local phone call than from some company online you have never heard of before.

It typically takes about 30 days to get this stuff back depending on the name search. When I incorporated, it took about 3 weeks. I paid $950.00 to have everything prepared, and I mean everything. I just filled out a form for them and they did the rest.