Here's what you need in Vermont
Official state business portal: Vermont Business Portal. The state's one place to start, manage and grow a business, with a step by step new business checklist.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseWe could not find an official Vermont page that states whether a general state business license exists. Check the Vermont Business Portal and your town for local rules. | Vermont Secretary of State | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. File Articles of Organization with the Vermont Secretary of State. | Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division | $155 filing fee | Applyat bizfilings.vermont.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Assumed Business Name Registration. Register an assumed business name (DBA) with the Vermont Secretary of State if you do business under a name other than your legal name. | Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division | $70 filing fee | Applyat bizfilings.vermont.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitVermont Business Tax Account and license to collect sales tax. If you sell taxable goods, register for a Vermont Business Tax Account and license before you collect sales tax. Display the license where customers can see it. | Vermont Department of Taxes | Free | Applyat myvtax.vermont.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Employer unemployment insurance account. If you have employees, you may need to set up an Employer Tax Account with the Vermont Department of Labor. | Vermont Department of Labor | You pay tax on wages | Applyat labor.ui.vermont.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 Vermont pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual ReportEvery Vermont LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State each year. | Vermont Secretary of State | $45 a year | Applyat sos.vermont.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business entity income tax (minimum)LLCs that are taxed as partnerships or S corporations and are engaged in activities in Vermont must file a Business Entity Income Tax return with the Department of Taxes. The page says a minimum tax is generally due. | Vermont Department of Taxes | Generally $250 a year minimum | Applyat tax.vermont.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 salonBarbering or cosmetology shop license. Barbering and cosmetology shops apply for a shop license from the Office of Professional Regulation and renew it every two years. | Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Secretary of State) | $355 application fee, then $285 every two years | Applyat sos.vermont.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeRegistered Family Child Care Home. Caring for children in your home needs a registration or license from the Child Development Division. A registered home may care for up to 6 children under age 6 plus 4 school age children; more than that needs a license. | Vermont Department for Children and Families, Child Development Division | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat dcf.vermont.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)First Class or Third Class License. Restaurants and bars need a First Class license (beer, wine and ready to drink spirits) or a Third Class license (spirits). Your town or city must approve it before the state processes your application. | Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery, Division of Liquor Control | State and town fees, by license type | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorResidential Contractor Registration. Contractors who work directly for homeowners on residential jobs at or above the value set in state law must register with the Office of Professional Regulation. Commercial only work does not need it. | Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Secretary of State) | $75 for individuals, $250 for businesses | Applyat sos.vermont.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage Food Operator license exemption. You can sell foods that need no refrigeration, like baked goods and jams, made in your home kitchen without a license. You must take the Health Department online training and file an exemption online before January 15 each year. | Vermont Department of Health | No fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Vermont
- At $155, the LLC filing fee is among the highest: only 8 of 49 verified states charge more.
- Business names (DBAs) are filed with the state, at the Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division. At $70, the state DBA fee is among the highest: only 2 of 33 verified states charge more.
- Homemade food sales are capped at $30,000 a year. Of the 16 states where we verified a cap, 14 allow more.
- Contractor licensing in Vermont: Contractors who work directly for homeowners on residential jobs at or above the value set in state law must register with the Office of Professional Regulation. Commercial only work does not need it.
- At $355, the salon or shop license fee is among the highest: only 1 of 36 verified states charge more.
- Annual Report: $45 a year. Every Vermont LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State each year.
- Business entity income tax (minimum): Generally $250 a year minimum. LLCs that are taxed as partnerships or S corporations and are engaged in activities in Vermont must file a Business Entity Income Tax return with the Department of Taxes. The page says a minimum tax is generally due.
Steps to start a business in Vermont
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 Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division ($155).
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 Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Vermont Department of Taxes 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 Vermont Department of Labor.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Vermont 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 Vermont
Do I need a business license in Vermont?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the Vermont Secretary of State.
How much is an LLC in Vermont?
The Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division charges $155 filing fee to file the Articles of Organization. File Articles of Organization with the Vermont Secretary of State.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Vermont?
Annual Report: $45 a year. Every Vermont LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State each year. Business entity income tax (minimum): Generally $250 a year minimum. LLCs that are taxed as partnerships or S corporations and are engaged in activities in Vermont must file a Business Entity Income Tax return with the Department of Taxes. The page says a minimum tax is generally due.
Does an LLC need a business license in Vermont?
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 Vermont 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 Vermont?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. If you sell taxable goods, register for a Vermont Business Tax Account and license before you collect sales tax. Display the license where customers can see it. Official fee: Free.
How much is a DBA in Vermont?
Register an assumed business name (DBA) with the Vermont Secretary of State if you do business under a name other than your legal name. Official fee: $70 filing fee.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Vermont?
You can sell foods that need no refrigeration, like baked goods and jams, made in your home kitchen without a license. You must take the Health Department online training and file an exemption online before January 15 each year. Fee: No fee. Sales cap: $30,000 a year.
Do contractors need a state license in Vermont?
Contractors who work directly for homeowners on residential jobs at or above the value set in state law must register with the Office of Professional Regulation. Commercial only work does not need it. Official fee: $75 for individuals, $250 for businesses.
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 Vermont Secretary of State Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Vermont Department of Taxes Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Vermont Department of Labor Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Secretary of State) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Vermont Department for Children and Families, Child Development Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery, Division of Liquor Control Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Secretary of State) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Vermont Department of Health Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business entity income tax (minimum) Vermont Department of Taxes Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026