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Starting a Business in Tallahassee

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With one of the fastest-growing economies in Florida, there has never been a better time to start a business here in Tallahassee. Between the complex forms and many licenses, starting a business can feel overwhelming. The City of Tallahassee strives to make starting a business as easy as possible, which is why Tallahassee became the first municipality in the State to eliminate a small business license mandate in 2016. Below is a step-by-step guide, as well as a list of resources to help streamline the process of starting your business.

First Things First

The first steps involve some paperwork, just to make everything official.

Register your business with the Florida Department of State

The Florida Department of State acts as the central depository for commercial activities.

  • Corporation? LLC? Partnership? Learn about business entities/structures
  • Florida DOS Division of Corporations

Register your business with the Florida Department of Revenue

Any business within Florida must register with the Department of Revenue to collect sales taxes.

  • Florida DOR New Business Start-up Kit
  • Registration Forms

Register your business with the Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service collects federal taxes, and every business needs a tax ID number.

  • Internal Revenue Service EIN Registration
  • IRS Tax Information for Businesses

Check for additional requirements specific to your business

Depending on the type of business you're starting, you may need a professional license to operate in Florida. The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR), the Florida Department of Health, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services all regulate certain business types within the state.

  • Check for additional requirements specific to your business.
  • Check to see if your business requires a professional license.
  • Check to see if your business requires a health license.
  • Check to see if your business requires a consumer service license.
Business Resources and Information

Other Resources

There are other City, County, and State resources available to new business owners.

Office of Economic Vitality

The OEV is a joint City of Tallahassee and Leon County office that works diligently to create a one-stop-shop for the community's economic development needs.

  • Assistance resources from OEV

City of Tallahassee Minority, Women and Small Business Enterprise Program

The objective of the MWSBE Program is to remedy the present effects of past discrimination and to ensure the Program meets legal mandates.

  • MWSBE Program webpage

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

DEO assists the Governor in advancing Florida's economy by championing the state's economic development vision and by administering state and federal programs and initiatives to help visitors, citizens, businesses, and communities.

  • Business resources from the DEO

Enterprise Florida

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a public-private partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida.

  • Enterprise Florida State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

Internal Revenue Service

The IRS has a FAQ about federal taxes for self-employed and small businesses.

  • Small business frequently asked tax questions

Department of Business & Professional Regulation

DBPR is the agency charged with licensing and regulating businesses and professionals in the State of Florida, such as cosmetologists, veterinarians, real estate agents and pari-mutuel wagering facilities.

  • DBPR's Guide to Starting a Business in Florida

Small Business Administration

The SBA is an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

  • SBA's 10 Steps to Start Your Business

TCC Spark Initiative

The Tallahassee Community College's Spark Initiative is mentorship program to guide new entrepreneurs.

  • Spark Initiative guide

Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce is the local network of businesses.

  • Entrepreneurial resources webpage

Capital City Chamber of Commerce

The Capital City Chamber is the "go-to" organization for business development, community outreach, partnerships and advocacy opportunities in the community.

  • Chamber website

Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce

The Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce (BBMC) was created out of a need to bring attention and support to women-owned and minority-owned businesses in a five-county region that is geographically considered part of the Big Bend area of central north Florida.

  • Chamber website
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