Tips for opening a business in Clearwater, Florida
The following steps will help you open a business in Clearwater:
Step 1:Create a name for your business. Check to see if your name is available or already take on Sunbiz, the division of corporations. Decide the type of company you want to create. File a Fictitious Name (DBA) to create a sole proprietorship or partnership or incorporate as a Corporationor Limited Liability Company
- To make sure that your company name is not already being used please visit the United States Patent and Trademark Database to look up company names. If the name is not already in use, you are eligible to use it. If you want to prevent others from using your company name and logo, you can fill out a Trademark Application, doing so will protect your brand from competitors.
- Once you have finalized the way you will be creating the business, you need to register by obtaining a business tax receipt
Step 2: Apply for an employee identification number (EIN), you will need to contact the IRS
- Employee identification numbers are issued for tax administration purposes
- Remember to file the Florida Corporate Income Tax form each year
Step 3: Open a business bank account. You will need a tax identification number, for this you can use your EIN to open an account. In addition to the EIN, you will need to present documentation of your DBA name.
- Business News Daily has a checklist outlining the documents you will need to open a business bank account
Step 4:Fill out a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1) in order to collect, report, and pay taxes, surcharges, and fees.
- The Florida Department of Revenue has a registration determination questionnaire that will assist you in filling out the Florida Business Tax Application (DR-1)
Step 5: Obtain a Clearwater Business Tax Receipt prior to the commencement of the business
- Business Tax year is October 1st to September 30th of the following year
- Renewal period begins July 1st, if your business tax receipt is not renewed on or before September 30th, a late fee will be incurred
- The application for a Business Tax Receipt must be submitted in person at the City of Clearwater Planning and Developing Department located at: 100 S. Myrtle Avenue, Suite 210 Clearwater, Florida 33756
Step 6: Create a Business Plan. A business plan is important to outline your vision and serves as an
organizational structure for your business.
- How to write a Business Planwebpage gives a detailed step by step outline of writing a business plan. This outline will give an in-depth explanation of the elements associated within a business plan.Downloading the free Business Plan Template can serve as a guide for your plan.
Step 7:Employers conducting work in the State of Florida are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Coverage requirements vary, Florida’s Division of Workers’ Compensation outlines the specific coverage requirements based on the type of industry, number of employees and entity organization.
Step 8:If your business is a seated restaurant that will be selling food, you will need to obtain a Public Food Service Establishment License
- If you will be selling anything in your establishment, you will need to pay the Florida Sales and Use Tax. Please follow the link, the website gives an in-depth explanation of the Florida Sales and Use Tax.
- Please see the filing frequency tab on the Sales and Use Tax link to see how often you will need to fill out theSales and Use Tax Return Form
- If your establishment is newly constructed, remodeled, converted from another use, or reopened after being closed at least 1 year, you will first need to submit a properly prepared facility plan for approval. Application for Plan Review
- Please follow all of the instructions on the Application for Plan Review PDF, it will assist with completing the application
- You will need to pay fees. There is a one-time application processing fee of $50, in addition to the license fee. Refer to the Hotels and Restaurants, Food Service Fees section to determine the amount of money you will need to pay in fees. If you are unsure of the fee, contact DBPR customer contact center at (850) 487- 1395 and they will assist with the correct fee amount.
- Once you have completed the application along with the supporting documents as outlined in the Public Food Service Establishment License PDF, you will mail the document with the fees to: Division of Hotels and Restaurants, Department of Business and Professional Regulation at 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Step 8:If your business is selling alcoholic beverages, you will need to obtain a Liquor License
- This liquor license PDF contains instructions to help you complete the application for a new alcoholic beverage license. Please follow all the requirements within the PDF, this document outlines a step-by-stepguide to obtaining a liquor license.You will need additional forms to obtain the license, as outlined in the PDF.
Step 9:If your business is a vehicle that will be serving food, you will need to obtain a Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle License
- This application for the license also contains a plan review that will need to be filled out prior to the opening of the business. Please read and follow all the requirement outlined in the PDF as you will need additional forms to obtain the license.
Step 10: You will need a building permit if you plan to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure. If you are unsure if you need a permit, please follow this link for examples of work that require aPermit
- Once you establish that you will need a building permit, fill out theBuilding Permit Application
Step 11: For any additional questions, please refer to the City of Clearwaterbusiness section of their website. For more information regarding other types of businesses that were not mentioned, please refer to theDepartment of Business and Professional Regulation.
These websites provide further information and links to additional applications that may be needed for your specific business:
Sunbiz:
Fictitious Name:
Corporation:
Limited Liability Company (LLC):
Patent and Trademark Database:
Trademark Application:
IRS:
Florida Corporate Income Tax Form:
Business News Daily:
Florida Business Tax Application:
Business Tax Receipt:
How to write a Business Plan:
Business Plan Template:
Florida’s Division of Workers Compensation:
Public Food Service Establishment License:
Florida Sales and Use Tax:
Sales and Use Tax Return Form:
Application for Plan Review:
Food Service Fees:
Liquor License Application:
Mobile Food Vehicle Dispensing:
Do I need a Permit? :
Building Permit Application:
City of Clearwater:
Department of Business and Professional Regulation:
Please follow this link to see if you are eligible to apply for a fee waiver: