Here's what you need in Indiana
Official state business portal: INBiz. INBiz is Indiana's one stop site to register a business with the Secretary of State, the Department of Revenue and the Department of Workforce Development.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. Indiana does not have one general state business license. Depending on what you do, you may need licenses or registrations from several state agencies. | State of Indiana | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State. Filing online through INBiz costs less than filing on paper. | Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division | $75 online, $100 on paper | Applyat inbiz.in.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Assumed Business Name. LLCs, corporations and other entities file an assumed name with the Secretary of State through INBiz. Sole proprietors and general partnerships file with the County Recorder in each county where they do business. | Indiana Secretary of State (LLCs and corporations) or the County Recorder (sole proprietors) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat inbiz.in.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitRegistered Retail Merchant Certificate (RRMC). Retail merchants register with the Department of Revenue through INBiz and get a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate for each place of business. | Indiana Department of Revenue | $25 one-time fee per location | Applyat inbiz.in.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment insurance employer account. Businesses with employees must register with the Department of Workforce Development to pay state unemployment insurance premiums. You can register through Employer Self Service or INBiz. | Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) | You pay tax on wages | Applyat uplink.in.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 Indiana pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Entity ReportEvery for-profit business, including an LLC, files a Business Entity Report every two years, in the month it was first formed. Filing online is cheapest and quickest; if you do not file, the state can dissolve the business. | Indiana Secretary of State | $31 every 2 years online ($50 by mail) | Applyat inbiz.in.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 salonBeauty culture salon license. A salon needs a license from the State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, which covers both cosmetology and barbering. Apply only when your salon is ready to open. | Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners (Professional Licensing Agency) | $40 application fee | Applyat in.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeLicensed child care home. To run a licensed child care home, complete two online orientations, apply online and pass an inspection by the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning. | Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Alcoholic beverage permit. Bars and restaurants apply to the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission for an alcoholic beverage permit. A local alcoholic beverage board in each county also reviews and votes on every retailer permit application. | Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat in.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorContractor license (city or county). The only construction contractors licensed by the State of Indiana are plumbers. Licensing for other contractors, including general contractors, is left to cities and counties, so check with yours. | Your city or county (plumbers: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Home-Based Vendor (HBV). Home-based vendors can make foods that do not need refrigeration in their home kitchen and sell them directly to consumers in Indiana. You must get a food handler certificate and label each product, and local health departments enforce the rules. | Indiana Department of Health (enforced by local health departments) | No food permit needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Indiana
- At $75, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 13 of 49 verified states charge less and 34 charge more.
- Where to file a business name (DBA): LLCs, corporations and other entities file an assumed name with the Secretary of State through INBiz. Sole proprietors and general partnerships file with the County Recorder in each county where they do business.
- Contractor licensing in Indiana: The only construction contractors licensed by the State of Indiana are plumbers. Licensing for other contractors, including general contractors, is left to cities and counties, so check with yours.
- At $40, the salon or shop license fee is among the lowest: only 2 of 36 verified states charge less.
- Business Entity Report: $31 every 2 years online ($50 by mail). Every for-profit business, including an LLC, files a Business Entity Report every two years, in the month it was first formed. Filing online is cheapest and quickest; if you do not file, the state can dissolve the business.
Steps to start a business in Indiana
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division ($75).
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 Indiana Secretary of State (LLCs and corporations) or the County Recorder (sole proprietors).
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Indiana 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 Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Indiana 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:
- Indianapolis: the combined City of Indianapolis and Marion County. City of Indianapolis (indy.gov)
City rules and fees are not in our guide yet.
Questions about business licenses in Indiana
Do I need a business license in Indiana?
No. Indiana does not have one general state business license. Depending on what you do, you may need licenses or registrations from several state agencies.
How much is a business license in Indiana?
There is no general state business license fee in Indiana. A local business license, if your city or county requires one, is priced by that city or county. State licenses for some types of business have their own fees, listed on this page.
How much is an LLC in Indiana?
The Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division charges $75 online, $100 on paper to file the Articles of Organization. To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State. Filing online through INBiz costs less than filing on paper.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Indiana?
Business Entity Report: $31 every 2 years online ($50 by mail). Every for-profit business, including an LLC, files a Business Entity Report every two years, in the month it was first formed. Filing online is cheapest and quickest; if you do not file, the state can dissolve the business.
Does an LLC need a business license in Indiana?
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 Indiana 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 Indiana?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. Retail merchants register with the Department of Revenue through INBiz and get a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate for each place of business. Official fee: $25 one-time fee per location.
How do I get a DBA in Indiana?
LLCs, corporations and other entities file an assumed name with the Secretary of State through INBiz. Sole proprietors and general partnerships file with the County Recorder in each county where they do business.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Indiana?
Home-based vendors can make foods that do not need refrigeration in their home kitchen and sell them directly to consumers in Indiana. You must get a food handler certificate and label each product, and local health departments enforce the rules. Fee: No food permit needed.
Do contractors need a state license in Indiana?
The only construction contractors licensed by the State of Indiana are plumbers. Licensing for other contractors, including general contractors, is left to cities and counties, so check with yours.
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 Indiana Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Indiana Secretary of State (LLCs and corporations) or the County Recorder (sole proprietors) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Indiana Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Indiana Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners (Professional Licensing Agency) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Indiana Department of Health (enforced by local health departments) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business Entity Report Indiana Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026