Every small business in Indiana must adhere to the state鈥檚 license and permit requirements, as well as any applicable local or federal ones. If you鈥檙e starting a business, here鈥檚 what you鈥檒l need to know about Indiana business licenses and permits.
Business licenses and permits function as a way to ensure that businesses are operating responsibly. They help monitor business activities that might impact public safety, public health, or the general welfare of the public.
What small business licenses and permits your business needs depends on the business鈥檚 industry, operations, location and other details. You鈥檒l want to check requirements at the local, state and federal levels, as operating without any required license or permit could have significant consequences. Not being licensed or permitted can lead to penalties, fines, lawsuits, and maybe even temporarily shuttering your business.
Small business licenses and permits are similar in many ways, and you may even hear the terms used interchangeably at times. Nonetheless, there are some general distinctions between them.
Business licenses are generally for the ongoing operation of a business. Various licenses might allow a liquor store, auto dealership, or child care center to operate, for example. Similarly, professional licenses allow someone trained in a specific field to work within a jurisdiction.
Obtaining licenses usually requires showing that a business or person meets certain qualifications. Requirements could pertain to insurance, location, education, experience, or another qualification.
Business permits are generally more limited in their scope. A permit might authorize a one-off event or project, for example. Permit requirements can be needed for zoning, building modifications, closing roads, large gatherings, or any number of other things.
Obtaining a permit often requires providing specific plans about what will be done. Multiple permits could be needed for multiple events or projects.
The trucking industry shows these general differences. A commercial driver needs some form of CDL license, which allows them to operate certain commercial trucks. If transporting oversized loads, they could need a separate permit or each load that they take.
The specific licenses and permits your business is required to have will depend on its activities, location, and industry. Make sure to check for required Indiana business licenses and permits, and also required local or federal ones.
Indiana doesn鈥檛 have one small business license that all businesses in the state must get. Many industries and vocations are regulated by state agencies, though, and these agencies can have small business licenses and permits that they require.
Some examples of small business licenses and permits that the state requires are alcohol permits, mechanic鈥檚 licenses, insurance licenses, and medical licenses. These can vary in cost, from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
For the most current information about Indiana business licenses and permits, call the State Information Center at either (800) 45-STATE or (317) 233-0800. The information center can check requirements, and refer you to any agencies that your business needs a small business license or permit from.
is available from the Indiana Secretary of State, and professional licenses can be applied for through the platform (account required).
Businesses that sell goods or tangible property in Indiana need to obtain a (RRMC). This is a 鈥渟eller鈥檚 permit,鈥� and allows businesses to collect and remit sales tax. Each business location has to display a copy of the certificate. There鈥檚 no fee for the certificate.
Businesses in industries that are taxed differently may need to obtain an additional tax registration. Additional registrations are needed for food and beverages, short-term stays, vehicle rentals, gasoline sales, tire sales, fireworks sales, and prepaid wireless cards.
An RRMC can be applied for through. The platform is hosted on the Indiana Secretary of State鈥檚 website, but is ultimately issued by the Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR).
Town, city and county governments can have their own local small business licenses and permits.
Local small business licenses and permits can range from general licenses and zoning permits, to detailed approvals for the build-out of a commercial building. Most have no or nominal fees, although some can cost a bit more.
To find out whether your business needs any local licenses or permits, you鈥檒l have to check with the government agencies where your business operates. Contact the town or city clerk for municipal requirements, and the county clerk for county requirements. Do so for each locality where your business has a physical address or offers services.
Many local government websites also have sections on small business licenses and permits. Sometimes local government websites aren鈥檛 up to date, though. It鈥檚 best to check requirements with the clerk.
Businesses engaged in federally regulated activities might need to obtain additional business licenses or permits from a federal agency. Federal licenses and permits are handled through an industry鈥檚 overseeing agency.
Hopefully, you already know whether your business could be subject to any federal requirements. If you鈥檙e unsure, requirements are common for businesses operating in the following: alcoholic beverages, explosives, firearms, and ammunition, radio and television broadcasting, agricultural production, logistics and transportation, aviation, maritime transportation, commercial fisheries, fish and wildlife, nuclear energy, and mining and drilling.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) maintains a of the industries that are at least partially regulated by federal agencies.
Your business could need any number of Indiana business licenses and permits, local small business licenses and permits, or federal certifications. The first step in obtaining these is simply figuring out which ones you need.
For state business licenses and permits, the State Information Center at (800) 45-STATE is one of the best resources. Also check with the Indiana Secretary of State鈥檚, and the.
For local business licenses and permits, the best resources are local clerks. Check with the city or town clerk if you鈥檙e business is located within a municipality, and with the county clerk where your business is. You should check with the clerks anywhere your business is located, or anywhere it offers services.
Sometimes local government websites can be out of date or clunky, so it鈥檚 best to check directly with the clerks.
For federal licenses, the SBA鈥檚 list is one of the best resources. You can also check directly with federal agencies.
Each license and permit will require its own application, and how simple or involved they are can vary. Basic local business licenses and tax certifications will usually only ask for the most basic details. Industry-specific approvals can require completing multiple steps.
Many applications can be submitted online, especially state applications for business licenses and permits. Paper forms are still necessary for some, though. Check with the issuing agency to find out, or it鈥檚 normally stated on the application form.
Do be prepared to pay a fee with each application. Fees can range from just a few dollars for local licenses, to $1,000+ for liquor or other industry licenses. A few, such as some local business licenses and permits, may be free. There鈥檚 no cost for the Registered Retain Merchant Certificate.
Processing times for small business licenses and permits vary. Many take a few business days up to two weeks, but some are instant and some take more time.
You can track the status of many applications, particularly state and federal ones, online. If online tracking isn鈥檛 available, you can always contact the clerk or issuing agency.
Many licenses require renewal, often annually but possibly at some other interval. Permits can also need to be renewed, or you might have to apply for a new permit when starting a new project.
The issuing agency can tell you whether a small business license or permit has to be renewed, and often this information is available online. Make sure to mark expiration dates down on a calendar so that you don鈥檛 miss them. When it鈥檚 time to renew, be sure you apply early enough that the new license will be issued before the current one expires.
You鈥檒l want to be properly licensed and permitted before officially starting your business. Use these resources to find out what small business licenses and permits your business needs, and how to apply for them. Soon, you鈥檒l be ready to legally open your business!
Operating without required licenses and permits can result in fines, penalties, lawsuits, and possibly even the temporary closure of your business. Fines and penalties may be added each day that your business is unlicensed or not permitted.
Sole proprietors in Indiana generally must comply with the same licensing requirements as other business entities. They might need an RMCC certificate, local business license or permit, and possibly other licenses depending on their industry and professional services.
The Indiana Registered Retail Merchant Certificate must be renewed every two years. Many other Indiana business licenses and permits have to be renewed too, as may local and federal ones. Check with the issuing agency to find out requirements for your business鈥檚 specific licenses.
Should you let a license or permit lapse, reapply as quickly as possible so that penalties don鈥檛 continue compounding.
This portion of our website is for informational or educational purposes only. 91吃瓜 is not a law firm, and the information on this website does not constitute legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, 91吃瓜 is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness. It also does not indicate any affiliation between 91吃瓜 and any other brands, services or logos on this page.
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