Here is an outline of the steps you should follow to get started as a sole proprietor in California. You should also read the general section for information that is applicable in any state.
1. Choose a business name for your sole proprietorship and check for availability.
2. Register the business name with local, state, and/or federal authorities.
- If you will be operating your sole proprietorship under
a name that is different from your own name, then you will need file a
Fictitious Business Name Statement in the county in which your primary place of business is located.
- Although you are not required to do so, you should
consider registering your business name as a federal and/or state
trademark. Please see the Trademark for Business Naming section for details.
3. Obtain any required local licenses.
4. Determine what tax and other regulatory obligations your sole
proprietorship has, and take care of any necessary registrations.
- If you have an employee or employees, you need to
apply for an Employment Identification Number from the IRS. You can
apply for an EIN online. You may apply for an EIN even if you have no employees. Doing so may make it easier to open a bank account and reduce your risk of identity theft. There is no filing fee.
- If you will be paying at least $100 to employees in a
quarter, you are subject to California employment taxes and must
register for a California employer account number within 15 days of
paying that $100. You can register for employment taxes and get an
account number online using the Employment Development Department's website. You must pay these taxes quarterly. For more information on being an employer, including tax information, see the California Employer's Guide.
5. Open a bank account for your business.
- It is a good idea to keep your business's finances
separate from your personal accounts. A good way to do this early on is
by opening a bank account for your business. The bank will probably
require your Social Security Number or EIN and a copy of your business
name filing or local business license, although you may not need any
supporting documents if the sole proprietorship's name includes your
surname. (Here is an example of what banks may require.)