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.
Register your business with the Florida Department of Revenue
Any business within Florida must register with the Department of Revenue to collect sales taxes.
Register your business with the Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service collects federal taxes, and every business needs a tax ID number.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Internal Revenue Service
The IRS has a FAQ about federal taxes for self-employed and small businesses.
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.
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.
TCC Spark Initiative
The Tallahassee Community College's Spark Initiative is mentorship program to guide new entrepreneurs.
Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce is the local network of businesses.
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.
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.
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