Here's what you need in Alaska
Official state business portal: Business in Alaska (Alaska.gov). The state's business page links to starting a business, the state business license, corporations, occupational licenses and employer information.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseAlaska Business License. Alaska has a state business license, issued by the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. Licenses end on December 31, and sole proprietors who are seniors or disabled veterans can get a discount. | Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing | $50 for 1 year, $100 for 2 years | Applyat commerce.alaska.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization (domestic LLC). File Articles of Organization with the Corporations Section of the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. You can file online or on paper. | Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Corporations Section | $250 filing fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Business Name Registration. Business names are registered with the state, not the county. You must get an Alaska business license first, and registering gives you exclusive rights to the name. | Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Corporations Section | $25 filing fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitNo state sales tax. Alaska has no state sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit. Some cities and boroughs charge their own sales tax, so check with your local government. | Alaska Department of Revenue | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Employment Security Tax account. Employers register a new business for employment security (unemployment insurance) tax online through TaxWeb, using a myAlaska account. You need your federal EIN and the date you will first pay wages. | Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Employment Security Tax | You pay tax on wages | Applyat labor.alaska.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in Alaska pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biennial ReportEvery Alaska LLC files a Biennial Report every two years. A late charge applies for each year it is late. | Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing | $100 every 2 years | Applyat commerce.alaska.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or borough may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonShop Owner License. Shops that do hairdressing, barbering, nail care or esthetics need a shop owner license from the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers. The same board covers barber shops and salons. | Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers | $150 application fee plus $260 license fee, $410 total | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeChild Care Home License. You can care for up to four unrelated children without a license. To care for more, get a child care home license from the Alaska Department of Health, or from the Municipality of Anchorage if you live there. The department does not publish a license fee. | Alaska Department of Health, Child Care Program Office (Municipality of Anchorage inside Anchorage) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat akccis.comSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Alcoholic beverage license. Bars and restaurants apply for a new alcoholic beverage license with Form AB-00, sent to the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office in Anchorage. The fee depends on the license type. | Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (for the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorGeneral Contractor Registration. Alaska registers general, specialty, mechanical and handyman contractors at the state level. You need proof of general liability insurance to register. | Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Construction Contractors Program | $100 application fee plus $250 registration fee, $350 total | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Homemade food exemption (AS 17.20.332). Alaska law lets you sell food made in your home kitchen inside Alaska without a state permit, license or inspection. The food must be for the buyer's own use, and most meat, seafood and game meat are not allowed. | Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation | No state permit | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Alaska
- Alaska is one of 6 places in our data with a general state business license: Alaska Business License.
- Alaska is one of 5 states with no state sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit. Alaska has no state sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit. Some cities and boroughs charge their own sales tax, so check with your local government.
- At $250, the LLC filing fee is among the highest: only 3 of 49 verified states charge more.
- Where to file a business name (DBA): Business names are registered with the state, not the county. You must get an Alaska business license first, and registering gives you exclusive rights to the name.
- $410 is the highest salon or shop license fee of the 36 states where we verified it.
- Biennial Report: $100 every 2 years. Every Alaska LLC files a Biennial Report every two years. A late charge applies for each year it is late.
Steps to start a business in Alaska
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization (domestic LLC) with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Corporations Section ($250).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Corporations Section.
No state sales tax permit
Alaska has no state sales tax. Ask your city or borough about any local tax.
Get the state business license
Alaska Business License, from the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and borough permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Employment Security Tax.
City and borough permits
Cities and boroughs in Alaska can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and borough clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
Questions about business licenses in Alaska
Do I need a business license in Alaska?
Yes. Alaska has a state business license, issued by the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. Licenses end on December 31, and sole proprietors who are seniors or disabled veterans can get a discount. The official fee is $50 for 1 year, $100 for 2 years.
How much is a business license in Alaska?
The Alaska Business License costs $50 for 1 year, $100 for 2 years. Your city or borough may charge for its own license too.
How much is an LLC in Alaska?
The Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Corporations Section charges $250 filing fee to file the Articles of Organization (domestic LLC). File Articles of Organization with the Corporations Section of the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. You can file online or on paper.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Alaska?
Biennial Report: $100 every 2 years. Every Alaska LLC files a Biennial Report every two years. A late charge applies for each year it is late.
Does an LLC need a business license in Alaska?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in Alaska still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or borough.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Alaska?
No. Alaska has no state sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit. Some cities and boroughs charge their own sales tax, so check with your local government.
How much is a DBA in Alaska?
Business names are registered with the state, not the county. You must get an Alaska business license first, and registering gives you exclusive rights to the name. Official fee: $25 filing fee.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Alaska?
Alaska law lets you sell food made in your home kitchen inside Alaska without a state permit, license or inspection. The food must be for the buyer's own use, and most meat, seafood and game meat are not allowed. Fee: No state permit.
Do contractors need a state license in Alaska?
Alaska registers general, specialty, mechanical and handyman contractors at the state level. You need proof of general liability insurance to register. Official fee: $100 application fee plus $250 registration fee, $350 total.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Corporations Section Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Corporations Section Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Alaska Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Employment Security Tax Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Alaska Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Alaska Department of Health, Child Care Program Office (Municipality of Anchorage inside Anchorage) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (for the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Construction Contractors Program Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Biennial Report Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026