How to Start a Business

To run your business legally, there are certain federal and state licenses and permits you will need to obtain. The nature of your business will determine what types of permits, licenses, and certificates you will need. Below are some examples. Seller’s Permit: If you intend to sell tangible goods, including retail and wholesale, you are required to obtain a Seller’s Permit from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). A seller’s permit is a state license that allows you to sell items at the wholesale or retail level and to issue resale certificates to suppliers. Issuing a resale certificate allows you to buy items you will sell in your business operations without paying amounts for tax to your suppliers. For more information on obtaining a Seller’s Permit, visit: https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/ Food Handler’s Certificate: If you intend to produce or sell food, contact the County of Riverside Department of Environmental Health for all appropriate permits. For more information on obtaining a Food Handler’s Certificate visit: https://www.rivcoeh.org/ FEDERAL LICENSES AND PERMITS If your business is involved in activities supervised and regulated by a federal agency – such as selling alcohol, firearms, commercial fishing, etc. – then you may need to obtain a federal license or permit. Here is a brief list of business activities that require these forms and information on how to apply.

All relevant websites are found in the Appendix section of this guide. The following categories are listed:

Agriculture Alcoholic Beverages Aviation Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives Fish and Wildlife Commercial Fisheries Maritime Transportation Mining and Drilling Nuclear Energy Radio and Television Broadcasting Transportation and Logistics

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