New Business Information
CHECKLIST FOR STARTING A BUSINESS IN NORTH DAKOTA
This checklist provides information on general requirements that need to be addressed for most new businesses. Other specific requirements may also apply. Your first contact should be with the ND Secretary of State's office to determine if the business name is available.
- Secretary of State
- sos.nd.gov.business.business-services or firststop.sos.nd.gov
- (800) 352-0867 ext: 3284284
- ND Business License Information
- nd.gov/businessreg/license
- There are many types of licenses, both state and local as well as professional. Depending on what you do and where you plan to operate, your business may be required to have a license.
- City & County Government
- Contact the city auditor for information on business permits and zoning ordinances applying to businesses within city limits. Contact the county auditor for similar information for businesses outside city limits.
- IRS
- irs.gov/smallbiz
- (800) 829-4933
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Federal Income Tax
- Federal Self-Employment Tax
- ND State Tax Department
- tax.nd.gov/business
- (877) 328-7088
- Sales & Use Tax Permit
- State Income Tax
- Insurance
- It is prudent for any business to purchase basic types of insurance. Contact your local insurance agent for general liability, property, commercial auto, life, hazard, theft, business interruption, and other types of insurance.
- Patent, Trademark, and Copyrights
Employer's Checklist
Items that may need to be addressed when your company hires employees:
- IRS Form W-4, "Withholding Allowance Form" must be completed by employees.
- Form I-9, Proof of US Citizenship must be completed by employee and employer.
- Apply for ND income tax withholding through North Dakota Taxpayer Access Point (NDTAP) or call (701) 328-7088.
- ND Workers Compensation Insurance (WSI), contact to request an Application for Insurance or call (800) 777-5033.
- Social Security Employer Business Services Online (BSO)
- ND Job Services for unemployment insurance (UIEASY). An employer must register within 20 days after first employing workers. For assistance visit jobsnd.com/contact.
- Dept. of Labor Wage Laws. To learn about state labor and employment discrimination laws and obtain required employment posters, visit nd.gov/labor or call (701) 328-2660.
- New Hire Reporting - ND Child Support Enforcement (CSE). This must be completed within 20 days of hiring each employee.
- Health Coverage Options
- Employee Taxes - required to withhold federal income, social security, and Medicare taxes and report them on Form 941, the "Employers Quarterly Federal Tax Return," and State income tax withholding reports on Form 307.
- United Stated Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) for private sector employers.
For more information on hiring and retaining employees, visit: sba.gov.
Information provided by North Dakota Small Business Development Centers - Business Resource Guide. ndsbdc.org
