The Process of Starting a Business

1. ___

   THE BUSINESS IDEA: Determine whether business ownership meets enough of your personal and professional goals to put the time and energy into researching the business idea's viability.

2. ___

   THE BUSINESS PLAN: Research and write a complete business plan. The Small Business Development Center's Business Plan guideline and one-on-one technical assistance with an SBDC or SCORE counselor can help you in this process.

3. ___

   MAKE A DECISION WHETHER TO PROCEED: Based on the information in the completed business plan, determine whether the idea is viable before jumping into business ownership.

 The Checklist for Starting/Expanding a Business

4. ___

   REGISTRATION OF AN ASSUMED NAME: If you are going to do business under a name other than your own, you need to register your trade name with the Secretary of State.

   Vermont Secretary of State 109 State Street
   Montpelier, VT 05609-1104
   (location: Heritage I Office Building, 81 River Street, Montpelier)
   Phone: (802) 828-2386
   Website: www.sec.state.vt.us

5. ___

   EMPLOYEES: For information on the regulation of wages and hours, Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Act rules, Vermont Workers Compensation Program, Unemployment Compensation, and State Labor Relations Act Provisions, contact:
   

   Vermont Department of Labor and Industry
   National Life Building, Drawer 20
   Montpelier, VT 05620-3401
   Phone: (802) 828-2288.
   Website:www.labor.vermont.gov

6. ___

   EMPLOYER'S TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: Partnerships and corporations, with or without employees, must obtain an employer identification number. Complete and return a form SS-4 available from,
   

   Internal Revenue Service
   310 Lowell Street
   Andover, MA 05501
   Phone: (703) 368-9694.
   Website: www.irs.gov

7. ___

   TOWN/CITY LICENSES, PERMITS, AND ZONING: Before buying a property or signing a lease, contact the city or town clerk where the business will be located to assure your plans conform to local restrictions and to obtain the necessary permits for buildings types and signs.

8. ___

   BUSINESS TAXES: Register for a tax number with:

   Vermont Department of Taxes
   109 State Street
   Montpelier, VT 05609
   Phone: (802) 828-2505
   

   For sales tax, withholding or corporate taxes. Ask for the booklet, A Guide to Vermont Business Taxes. Website: www.state.vt.us/tax
   

9. ___SIGNS: No outdoor advertising is permitted other than on-premise signs with a total area of not more than 150 square feet.  An Official Business Directional Sign can be erected if you have a license from the Travel Information Council. Contact the Maintenance Division

               Agency of Transportation
               133 State Street
               Montpelier,VT 05602
               Phone: (802) 828-2709
               Website: www.aot.state.vt.us/maint/sign.htm

10. ___

    STATE OCCUPATION LICENSES AND PERMITS: Depending on your business, you may need to apply for the privilege of engaging in a certain profession, business, or occupation with the Secretary of State

    Red Stone Building
    26 Terrace Street, Drawer 09
    Montpelier, VT 05609-1101
    Phone:(802) 828-2363
    Website: www.vermont.gov/

11. ___

    OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION: Contact this agency to determine if there are regulations which apply to your business:

    Accident Prevention Division of the Worker's Compensation Board
    Vermont Department of Labor and Industry
    National Life Building, Drawer 20
    Montpelier, VT 05620-3401
    Phone: (802) 828-2286.
    Website: www.labor.vermont.gov

12. ___

    ACT 250: For construction of improvements for new or existing commercial and industrial facilities, or for the change in use of an existing facility, you should check with the District Environmental Coordinator to determine if a Land Use Permit (ACT 250) will be required.

13. ___

    OTHER STATE LICENSES, PERMITS, AND REGULATIONS: Contact the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Permit Specialist for your region for information, to obtain a project review sheet, or to schedule an informational appointment.
    Use the "Locator" to find your specialist at www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/permits.htm

    Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Environmental Assistance Division
    Laundry Building,103 Main Street
    Waterbury, VT 05671-0411

    Permit information is also found in the book, The Vermont Permit Handbook by the VT Agency of Natural Resources, which can be found in town clerk offices, Vermont state libraries, Agency of Natural Resources, regional planning commissions, libraries, and SBDC offices or
    Website: www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/permit_hb/index.htm

     

    EPCRA (Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act) REPORTING: If your facility has chemicals in storage and meets the requirements established in Federal Law 42 USC Chapter 116 and Vermont Statute 20 VSA Chapter 1 please visit the Hazardous Materials Tier2 Compliance Program website, located at www.dps.state.vt.us/vem/index_hazmat.htm, for more information.