Here's what you need in New Hampshire
Official state business portal: New Hampshire QuickStart. QuickStart is the New Hampshire Secretary of State online system where you can register a business name.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseWe could not yet confirm on an official page whether New Hampshire requires a general state business license. Check with the New Hampshire Secretary of State and your city or town. | New Hampshire Secretary of State | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCCertificate of Formation. Form an LLC by filing with the New Hampshire Secretary of State. We could not yet confirm the current form and filing fee on an official page. | New Hampshire Secretary of State | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Applyat quickstart.sos.nh.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Trade Name Registration. Trade names are registered with the New Hampshire Secretary of State (state level). We could not yet confirm the current rules and fee on an official page. | New Hampshire Secretary of State | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitNo state sales tax. New Hampshire does not tax purchases, so there is no general sales tax permit to get. Other state taxes may still apply to your business, so check with the Department of Revenue Administration. | New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Employer registration for unemployment insurance. We could not yet confirm this on an official New Hampshire page. Check with the New Hampshire Employment Security about registering as an employer. | New Hampshire Employment Security | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | 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 New Hampshire pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual ReportNew Hampshire LLCs file a yearly report with the Secretary of State. We could not yet confirm the fee and due date on an official page because the official site blocked our check. | New Hampshire Secretary of State | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Applyat quickstart.sos.nh.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 salonShop or salon license. We could not yet confirm this on an official New Hampshire page. Check with the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, which runs the Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics. | New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeChild day care license (family child care home). A home that regularly cares for more than 4 children besides the provider's own children needs a child day care license from the Department of Health and Human Services. Homes caring only for their own or related children are exempt. | New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Unit | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Liquor license for bars and restaurants. We could not yet confirm this on an official New Hampshire page. Check with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission. | New Hampshire Liquor Commission | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorGeneral contractor license. We could not yet confirm on an official page whether New Hampshire licenses general contractors. Check with the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification and your city or town. | New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Homestead food operation. We could not yet confirm this on an official New Hampshire page. Check with the Department of Health and Human Services Food Protection Section about selling homemade food, any license, fee and sales limit. | New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Food Protection | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in New Hampshire
- New Hampshire is one of 5 states with no state sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit. New Hampshire does not tax purchases, so there is no general sales tax permit to get. Other state taxes may still apply to your business, so check with the Department of Revenue Administration.
Steps to start a business in New Hampshire
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Certificate of Formation with the New Hampshire Secretary of State.
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 New Hampshire Secretary of State.
No state sales tax permit
New Hampshire has no state sales tax. Ask your city or county about any local tax.
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 New Hampshire Employment Security.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
Do I need a business license in New Hampshire?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the New Hampshire Secretary of State.
How much is an LLC in New Hampshire?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the New Hampshire Secretary of State.
Does an LLC need a business license in New Hampshire?
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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire?
No. New Hampshire does not tax purchases, so there is no general sales tax permit to get. Other state taxes may still apply to your business, so check with the Department of Revenue Administration.
Can I sell homemade food from home in New Hampshire?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Food Protection.
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 New Hampshire Secretary of State Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) New Hampshire Employment Security Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of New Hampshire Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Unit Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) New Hampshire Liquor Commission Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Food Protection Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026