Here's what you need in Arizona
Official state business portal: Arizona Business One Stop. Business One Stop is the state's online place to plan, start and register a business in Arizona.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseWe could not find an official state page that says whether Arizona has a general business license. Most sellers need a state transaction privilege tax (TPT) license, and many cities issue their own business licenses. | Arizona Department of Revenue | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization (domestic LLC). File Articles of Organization with the Corporations Division of the Arizona Corporation Commission. If your statutory agent is outside Maricopa or Pima county, you must also publish a notice in a newspaper. | Arizona Corporation Commission | $50 filing fee; add $35 for expedited processing | Applyat arizonabusinesscenter.azcc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Trade Name Registration. You may register a trade name with the Arizona Secretary of State. Registration is optional, and we could not open the Secretary of State's fee page. | Arizona Secretary of State | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitTransaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License. Arizona's sales tax is a transaction privilege tax on the seller. Businesses that sell taxable goods or services need a TPT license from the Department of Revenue, and some cities charge a separate license fee. | Arizona Department of Revenue | $12 per location (state fee); cities may charge their own fee | Applyat aztaxes.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment Insurance account (Joint Tax Application, Form JT-1). Employers apply for unemployment insurance on the Joint Tax Application, the same form used for the TPT license and income tax withholding. You can file it online at AZTaxes. | Arizona Department of Economic Security, with the Arizona Department of Revenue | You pay tax on wages | Applyat aztaxes.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 Arizona pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No annual report for LLCsArizona LLCs do not file an annual report. Only corporations file one. | Arizona Corporation Commission | Not needed | Applyat azcc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonEstablishment License. Barber shops, hair salons and nail salons need an establishment license from the Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board, which covers both barbers and cosmetologists. State law sets the highest fee the board may charge. | Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board | Set by the board, up to $200 by law | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeChild Care Group Home Certificate. A home that cares for 5 to 10 children for pay must be certified as a child care group home by the Arizona Department of Health Services. | Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat azdhs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Liquor license (for example a bar or restaurant license). Bars and restaurants get liquor licenses from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. Your city or county holds a hearing and recommends whether the state should grant the license. | Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control | $100 application fee plus an issuance fee that depends on the license type | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorContractor's License. Arizona requires a contractor's license from the Registrar of Contractors for construction work unless the law exempts the job. We could not open the registrar's fee page. | Arizona Registrar of Contractors | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage Food Program registration. You can sell food made in your home kitchen in Arizona after you register with the Arizona Department of Health Services. Products must carry a label with your name and registration number, and you must complete a food handler training course. | Arizona Department of Health Services | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat azdhs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Arizona
- At $50, the LLC filing fee is among the lowest: only 3 of 49 verified states charge less.
- Business names (DBAs) are filed with the state, at the Arizona Secretary of State.
Steps to start a business in Arizona
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 Arizona Corporation Commission ($50).
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 Arizona Secretary of State.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Arizona Department of Revenue before your first sale.
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 county 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 Arizona Department of Economic Security, with the Arizona Department of Revenue.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Arizona 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 county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
In the biggest cities, ask these local governments:
- Phoenix: the city, and Maricopa County. Licenses for regulated activities (no general business license) (phoenix.gov), City of Phoenix (phoenix.gov)
- Tucson: the city, and Pima County. City of Tucson (tucsonaz.gov)
City rules and fees are not in our guide yet.
Questions about business licenses in Arizona
Do I need a business license in Arizona?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the Arizona Department of Revenue.
How much is an LLC in Arizona?
The Arizona Corporation Commission charges $50 filing fee; add $35 for expedited processing to file the Articles of Organization (domestic LLC). File Articles of Organization with the Corporations Division of the Arizona Corporation Commission. If your statutory agent is outside Maricopa or Pima county, you must also publish a notice in a newspaper.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Arizona?
No annual report for LLCs: Arizona LLCs do not file an annual report. Only corporations file one.
Does an LLC need a business license in Arizona?
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 Arizona still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Arizona?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. Arizona's sales tax is a transaction privilege tax on the seller. Businesses that sell taxable goods or services need a TPT license from the Department of Revenue, and some cities charge a separate license fee. Official fee: $12 per location (state fee); cities may charge their own fee.
How do I get a DBA in Arizona?
You may register a trade name with the Arizona Secretary of State. Registration is optional, and we could not open the Secretary of State's fee page.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Arizona?
You can sell food made in your home kitchen in Arizona after you register with the Arizona Department of Health Services. Products must carry a label with your name and registration number, and you must complete a food handler training course.
Do contractors need a state license in Arizona?
Arizona requires a contractor's license from the Registrar of Contractors for construction work unless the law exempts the job. We could not open the registrar's fee page.
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 Arizona Department of Revenue Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Arizona Corporation Commission Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Arizona Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Arizona Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Arizona Department of Economic Security, with the Arizona Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Arizona Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Arizona Registrar of Contractors Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Arizona Department of Health Services Checked Nov 7, 2026
- No annual report for LLCs Arizona Corporation Commission Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026