Here's what you need in New York
Official state business portal: New York Business Express. New York Business Express is the state's one-stop site with a starter guide, a custom checklist of state licenses and permits, and online applications.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseWe could not find an official sentence confirming that New York has no general state business license. Use the state Business Wizard to see which state licenses and permits your type of business needs. | New York Business Express | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization (DOS 1336). To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Department of State. New York LLCs must also publish a notice of formation and then file a Certificate of Publication. | New York Department of State, Division of Corporations | $200 filing fee, plus $50 for the Certificate of Publication | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Assumed name certificate (DBA). A sole proprietor using a business name files an assumed name certificate with the county clerk where the business is run. | County clerk | $25 at the county clerk, $100 in New York City | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitCertificate of Authority. Anyone who sells taxable goods or services, even from home or only once a year, must register with the Tax Department through New York Business Express before starting and get a Certificate of Authority. | New York State Department of Taxation and Finance | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat businessexpress.ny.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Employer registration for unemployment insurance (NYS 100). Register with the Department of Labor using Form NYS 100 once you pay wages, so it can decide if you are liable for unemployment insurance. Liable employers get an employer registration number. | New York State Department of Labor | You pay tax on wages | 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 York pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of PublicationWithin 120 days of forming, a New York LLC must publish a notice in two newspapers chosen by the county clerk, once a week for six weeks, then file the Certificate of Publication. If you do not, the LLC can be suspended. | New York Department of State | $50 filing fee, plus newspaper costs | Applyat businessexpress.ny.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Biennial StatementEvery New York LLC files a Biennial Statement with the Department of State every two years. You can file it online. | New York Department of State | $9 filing fee | Applyat businessexpress.ny.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| LLC annual filing fee (Form IT-204-LL)An LLC with income from New York sources pays a yearly filing fee with Form IT-204-LL. It is due by the 15th day of the third month after the tax year ends. | New York State Department of Taxation and Finance | $25 to $4,500 a year, based on New York source gross income | Applyat tax.ny.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| NYC business licenses (DCWP)In New York City, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection licenses businesses in more than 45 industries, such as car washes, employment agencies and secondhand dealers. Check if your business type needs one. | NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | 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 salonAppearance Enhancement Business License (DOS-0035-a). A hair, nail, esthetics or waxing shop needs an appearance enhancement business license from the Department of State. Barber shops have a separate Barber Shop Owner license. | New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services | $60 license fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeFamily Day Care registration. A family day care registration lets you care for up to eight children in your home, for more than three hours a day. Registration is handled by the Office of Children and Family Services. | New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)On premises liquor license. Bars and restaurants get alcohol licenses from the State Liquor Authority. You must notify your community board or municipality 30 days before you file, and every applicant must sell food. | New York State Liquor Authority | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorLocal home improvement contractor license. Home improvement contractors must hold a local license in New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties and the City of Buffalo. Elsewhere, check with your city or county. | Your city or county | Set by your city or county | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Home Processor registration. New York lets people make some shelf stable foods at home under a Home Processor registration with the Department of Agriculture and Markets. We could not open the official page to check the details. | New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in New York
- At $200, the LLC filing fee is among the highest: only 4 of 49 verified states charge more.
- Where to file a business name (DBA): A sole proprietor using a business name files an assumed name certificate with the county clerk where the business is run.
- Contractor licensing in New York: Home improvement contractors must hold a local license in New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties and the City of Buffalo. Elsewhere, check with your city or county.
- At $60, the salon or shop license fee is among the lowest: only 6 of 36 verified states charge less.
- Certificate of Publication: $50 filing fee, plus newspaper costs. Within 120 days of forming, a New York LLC must publish a notice in two newspapers chosen by the county clerk, once a week for six weeks, then file the Certificate of Publication. If you do not, the LLC can be suspended.
- LLC annual filing fee (Form IT-204-LL): $25 to $4,500 a year, based on New York source gross income. An LLC with income from New York sources pays a yearly filing fee with Form IT-204-LL. It is due by the 15th day of the third month after the tax year ends.
Steps to start a business in New York
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization (DOS 1336) with the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations ($200).
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 County clerk.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance 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 New York State Department of Labor.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in New York 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:
- New York City: the five boroughs (five counties). DCWP business licenses (nyc.gov), City of New York City (nyc.gov)
City rules and fees are not in our guide yet.
Questions about business licenses in New York
Do I need a business license in New York?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the New York Business Express.
How much is an LLC in New York?
The New York Department of State, Division of Corporations charges $200 filing fee, plus $50 for the Certificate of Publication to file the Articles of Organization (DOS 1336). To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Department of State. New York LLCs must also publish a notice of formation and then file a Certificate of Publication.
How much does an LLC cost per year in New York?
LLC annual filing fee (Form IT-204-LL): $25 to $4,500 a year, based on New York source gross income. An LLC with income from New York sources pays a yearly filing fee with Form IT-204-LL. It is due by the 15th day of the third month after the tax year ends. Biennial Statement: $9 filing fee. Every New York LLC files a Biennial Statement with the Department of State every two years. You can file it online.
Do I have to publish my LLC in a newspaper in New York?
Yes. Within 120 days of forming, a New York LLC must publish a notice in two newspapers chosen by the county clerk, once a week for six weeks, then file the Certificate of Publication. If you do not, the LLC can be suspended. Official fee: $50 filing fee, plus newspaper costs.
Does an LLC need a business license in New York?
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 York 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 York?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. Anyone who sells taxable goods or services, even from home or only once a year, must register with the Tax Department through New York Business Express before starting and get a Certificate of Authority.
How much is a DBA in New York?
A sole proprietor using a business name files an assumed name certificate with the county clerk where the business is run. Official fee: $25 at the county clerk, $100 in New York City.
Can I sell homemade food from home in New York?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Do contractors need a state license in New York?
Home improvement contractors must hold a local license in New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties and the City of Buffalo. Elsewhere, check with your city or county.
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 York Business Express Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC New York Department of State, Division of Corporations Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) County clerk Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) New York State Department of Labor Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of New York Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) New York State Liquor Authority Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Your city or county Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- LLC annual filing fee (Form IT-204-LL) New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Checked Nov 7, 2026
- NYC business licenses (DCWP) NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026