Business License

by Jackie
(MO)

Since I'm going to be opening a home based business, is forming my LLC the same as having my business license or is that something separate I also have to obtain?

Answer

A business license is something issued by your municipality. Business licenses usually apply only to businesses that are open to the public in some way--typically, storefront businesses.

Many home-based businesses do not need a business license.

For example, if you're selling goods on ebay from home, you probably don't need a business license. If you're running a website-only business, you probably don't need a business license.

On the other hand...

If you're operating a child daycare facility out of your home, then yes, you probably will need a business license (along with other government licenses).

If you don't mind sharing, what type of home based business are you operating?

I might be able to help you figure out if you even need to contact your local municipality to obtain a business license.