"Starting A Business" Checklist

 Disclaimer: This Checklist is provided to help you to start your business. Due to the various policy and legislative changes that occur frequently, some of these steps may not apply to your business. Additionally, there may be other steps that are required by your business that are not covered here. As always, legal counsel is strongly advised.

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Choose a business.
Research the business idea:

What will you sell?
Is it legal?
Who will buy it and how often?
Are you willing to do what it takes to sell the product?
What will it cost to produce, advertise, sell & deliver?
With what laws will you have to comply?
Can you make a profit?
How long will it take to make a profit?

Write a business plan and marketing plan.
Choose a business name.
See if the business name is available for use as a domain name.
Register the domain name even if you aren't ready to use it yet.
Choose a location for the business.
Check zoning laws.
File partnership, corporate or limited liability company papers with the Secretary of State's office.
File state tax forms with the Franchise Tax Board.
Check CalGOLD and the Department of Consumers Affairs sites to get any required business licenses or permits.
Contact the Internal Revenue Service for information on filing your federal tax schedules.
Apply for a seller's permit with the State Board of Equalization if you are going to sell tangible personal property. Examples of tangible personal property include such items as furniture, giftware, toys, antiques, clothing, cars, staples, etc.
Contact the State Board of Equalization to see if you are responsible for any fuel, alcohol, tobacco, or other special taxes and fees.
Apply for an employer identification number with the Employment Development Department (EDD) if you will have employees.
Find out about workers' compensation if you will have employees.
Register or reserve federal trademark/servicemark.
Register copyrights.
Apply for patent if you will be marketing an invention.
Order any required notices (advertisements you have to place) of your intent to do business in the community.
Have business phone or extra residential phone lines installed.
Check into business insurance needs.
Get adequate business insurance or a business rider to a homeowner's policy.
Get tax information such as record keeping requirements,      information on withholding taxes if you will have employees, information on hiring independent contractors, facts about estimating taxes, forms of organization, etc.
Open a bank account for the business.
Have business cards and stationery printed.
Purchase equipment or supplies.
Order inventory, signage and fixtures.
Get an email address.
Find a web hosting company.
Get your Website set up.
Have sales literature prepared.
Call for information about Yellow Pages advertising.
Place advertising in newspapers or other media if yours is the type of business that will benefit from paid advertising.
Call everyone you know and let them know you are in business.
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