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Text Box: Starting a Business FAQS Permits / Licenses Business Planning Legal Issues  

Text Box: FAQS 1.  Where do I get a business license / permit? 2.  Where do I get a sales tax permit? 3.  Where do I get a tax ID number or employer Identification Number? 4.  How do I register a business name? 5.  How do I incorporate? 6.  How do I get an SBA loan? 7.  How can I get a minority, veteran, or woman-owned business grant      or loan? 8.  How do I get a government grant? 9.  Where can I find out if there are any special licenses or permits      needed for my business? 10. Do I need special permits or licenses to operate a concession      stand?

Text Box: 1.     Where do I get a business license / permit?         ♦ There is NO one license that you get to go into business.  It all depends on the type of business that you are            thinking about.  Here are some places to check with: City Occupational License, depends on type of business: ♦ Clay County Controller's Office    (812)448-8403   ♦ Knox County Controller's Office    (812)882-6526 ♦ Parke County Controller's Office    (765)569-6253 ♦ Putnam County Controller's Office    (765)653-9211 ♦ Sullivan County Controller's Office    (812)268-6077 ♦ Vermillion County Controller's Office    (765)832-9880 ♦ Vigo County Controller's Office    (812)232-9611 County Health Department, food related business: ♦ Clay County Health Department    (812)442-1442 ext. 138 ♦ Knox County Health Department    (812)885-2546 ♦ Parke County Health Department    (765)569-6665 ♦ Putnam County Health Department    (765)653-5210 ♦ Sullivan County Health Department    (812)268-0224 ♦ Vermillion County Health Department    (765)832-3622 ♦ Vigo County Health Department    (812)462-3281 ♦ Indiana Department of Revenue, retail sales license:    (812)235-6046 ♦ City Planning Department / City Code Enforcement, Signs & Inspections, Zoning Information:    (812)232-5823 ♦ State Information Center, State & Federal level permits & licenses:    (800)457-8283 2.     Where do I get a sales tax permit? ♦   This is known as a Retail Merchant's Certificate and you can apply for one at the Indiana Department of Revenue.  The Terre Haute office is located at 30 N. 8th Street, 3rd floor. (812)235-6046 3.     Where do I get a tax ID number or Employer Identification Number? ♦   You will use your social security number as a sole proprietor with no employees.  However, if you have employees, you will need to obtain an Employer Identification number.  You apply for this through the US Internal Revenue Service, located at 801 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, IN. Local Area Office (812)478-0405.  They also have a publication called the "Tax Guide for Small Business." 4.     How do I register a business name?         On a local level, you get a Certificate of Assumed Name through the County         Recorder's office. ♦ Clay County Recorder's Office    (812)442-1422 ♦ Knox County Recorder's Office    (812)885-2508 ♦ Parke County Recorder's Office    (765)569-3419 ♦ Putnam County Recorder's Office    (765)653-5613   ♦ Sullivan County Recorder's Office    (812)268-4844 ♦ Vermillion County Recorder's Office    (765)832-7786   ♦ Vigo County Recorder's Office    (812)462-3301   ♦ You can also reserve a name through the Indiana Secretary of State's Office.    (317)232-6576 ♦   To fully protect a name and prohibit others from using it, you need to get a federal Trademark.  We suggest using a patent attorney for this process.  You may call the Patent and Trademark office in Washington for a recorded message at: (703)557-3158 or visit their web site www.uspto.gov. 5.     How do I incorporate? ♦   Incorporations are handled through the Indiana Secretary of State's office.  We suggest you use a business attorney for this process: (317)232-6576 6.     How do I get an SBA Loan? ♦   The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a Loan Guaranty Program through participating banks.  You have to go through a bank to get an SBA Loan.  The SBDC has information that you can pick up regarding the SBA Loan Program, as well as information on how to put together a Loan Proposal. 7.     How can I get a minority, veteran, or woman-owned business grant or loan? ♦   There are NO special grants for minority, veteran, or women-owned businesses.  the government and banks do not generally have special provisions for any of these groups, either.  However, women and minority-owned businesses CAN be certified as such by the Minority Business Development Office.  Companies that procure for the government are encouraged to contract a certain percentage of their business to minority or women owned businesses.  To find out more about becoming certified, call the Minority Business Development Office at: (317)232-3061 8.     How do I get a government grant? ♦   There are NO government grants (which is money you don't have to pay back!) or low-interest loans.  The government's source of funding for small businesses is the SBA Loan Program (see above). 9.     Where can I find out if there are any special licenses or permits needed for         my business? ♦   Contact the State Information Center at: (800)45-STATE 10.   Do I need special permits or licenses to operate a concession stand? ♦ Yes, there are three basics:    ♦ Itinerant Merchant's Certificate, which can be obtained from the City Controller's Office.    ♦ County Health Department Inspection if there is food involved.    ♦ Retail Merchant's Certificate, which can be obtained through the Department of Revenue.  

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