Here's what you need in Connecticut
Official state business portal: Business.CT.gov. Business.CT.gov is the state's one-stop site to register a business, find forms and fees, and learn which licenses and permits you need.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseWe could not find an official state page that says outright whether Connecticut has a general state business license. Business.CT.gov says the licenses you need depend on your type of business; its New Business Checklist lists them. | State of Connecticut (Business.CT.gov) | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCCertificate of Organization. File a Certificate of Organization online with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. It includes naming your statutory agent. | Connecticut Secretary of the State | $120 filing fee | Applyat business.ct.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Trade Name Certificate. A trade name is filed with the town clerk in the town where the business mainly operates, not with the state. File in one town only. | Town clerk where the business is located | $20 filing fee paid to the town clerk | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitSales and Use Tax Permit. You need a Sales and Use Tax Permit before you sell or rent goods or sell taxable services in Connecticut. Register online through myconneCT and get a separate permit for each location. | Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) | $100 registration fee | Applyat drs.ct.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment insurance employer registration. Every employer with one or more workers, full or part time, must register online with the Department of Labor through ReEmployCT. Pay for services is then subject to Connecticut unemployment taxes. | Connecticut Department of Labor | You pay tax on wages | Applyat reemploycttax.dol.ct.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 Connecticut pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual ReportEvery Connecticut LLC files an Annual Report online each year, between January 1 and March 31, through Business.CT.gov. | Connecticut Secretary of the State | $80 a year | Applyat business.ct.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 salonSalon inspection by local health director. The Connecticut Department of Public Health works with local health directors on salon inspections, and each hairdressing shop must be managed by a registered hairdresser and cosmetician. Ask your local health department what your town requires for a salon. | Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health directors | Set by your city or county | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeFamily Child Care Home License. You need a license from the Office of Early Childhood to run a family child care home. A licensed home may care for up to six children at a time, plus some school age children before and after school. | Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)On-premises liquor permit. Bars and restaurants get an on-premises liquor permit from the Department of Consumer Protection. The cost depends on the permit type and includes a nonrefundable application fee. | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Liquor Control Division | Depends on the permit type (for example $1,450 a year for a full liquor restaurant permit) | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorHome Improvement Contractor Registration. Contractors who do home improvement work must register with the Department of Consumer Protection and carry general liability insurance. Builders of new homes apply for a New Home Construction Contractor registration instead. | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection | $220 application fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage Food Operator License. You can make low risk foods in your home kitchen and sell them directly to customers in Connecticut with a Cottage Food Operator license from the Department of Consumer Protection. Before you apply you need local zoning approval and a food safety training course, and a water test if you use a private well. | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection | $50 application fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Connecticut
- At $120, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 30 of 49 verified states charge less and 18 charge more.
- Where to file a business name (DBA): A trade name is filed with the town clerk in the town where the business mainly operates, not with the state. File in one town only.
- Home food sellers need the Cottage Food Operator License ($50 application fee).
- Contractor licensing in Connecticut: Contractors who do home improvement work must register with the Department of Consumer Protection and carry general liability insurance. Builders of new homes apply for a New Home Construction Contractor registration instead.
- Annual Report: $80 a year. Every Connecticut LLC files an Annual Report online each year, between January 1 and March 31, through Business.CT.gov.
Steps to start a business in Connecticut
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Certificate of Organization with the Connecticut Secretary of the State ($120).
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 Town clerk where the business is located.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) 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 Connecticut Department of Labor.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Connecticut 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.
Questions about business licenses in Connecticut
Do I need a business license in Connecticut?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the State of Connecticut (Business.CT.gov).
How much is an LLC in Connecticut?
The Connecticut Secretary of the State charges $120 filing fee to file the Certificate of Organization. File a Certificate of Organization online with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. It includes naming your statutory agent.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Connecticut?
Annual Report: $80 a year. Every Connecticut LLC files an Annual Report online each year, between January 1 and March 31, through Business.CT.gov.
Does an LLC need a business license in Connecticut?
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 Connecticut 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 Connecticut?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. You need a Sales and Use Tax Permit before you sell or rent goods or sell taxable services in Connecticut. Register online through myconneCT and get a separate permit for each location. Official fee: $100 registration fee.
How much is a DBA in Connecticut?
A trade name is filed with the town clerk in the town where the business mainly operates, not with the state. File in one town only. Official fee: $20 filing fee paid to the town clerk.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Connecticut?
You can make low risk foods in your home kitchen and sell them directly to customers in Connecticut with a Cottage Food Operator license from the Department of Consumer Protection. Before you apply you need local zoning approval and a food safety training course, and a water test if you use a private well. Fee: $50 application fee.
Do contractors need a state license in Connecticut?
Contractors who do home improvement work must register with the Department of Consumer Protection and carry general liability insurance. Builders of new homes apply for a New Home Construction Contractor registration instead. Official fee: $220 application fee.
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 State of Connecticut (Business.CT.gov) Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Connecticut Secretary of the State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Town clerk where the business is located Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Connecticut Department of Labor Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Connecticut Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health directors Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Liquor Control Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026