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Register your business | U.S. Small Business Administration Skip to main content Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Register your business Register your business to make it a distinct legal entity. How and where you need to register depends on your business structure and business location. Content Find out if you need to register your business Your location and business structure determine how you’ll need to register your business. Determine those factors first, and registration becomes very straightforward. For most small businesses, registering your business is as simple as registering your business name with state and local governments. In some cases, you don’t need to register at all. If you conduct business as yourself using your legal name, you won’t need to register anywhere. But remember, if you don’t register your business, you could miss out on personal liability protection, legal benefits, and tax benefits. Register with federal agencies Beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting Many companies in the United States have to report information about their beneficial owners – the individuals who ultimately own or control the company. This report is made to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) . FinCEN is a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. BOI reporting is a requirement of the Corporate Transparency Act of 2021. Companies that are required to comply are called reporting companies. The majority of reporting companies must file their initial, updated or corrected reports by March 21, 2025. For additional information, refer to FinCEN’s BOI notice (PDF). Beneficial ownership information reporting is not an annual requirement. A report only needs to be submitted once, unless the filer needs to update or correct information. FinCEN’s E-Filing system is simple, secure, and free of charge. Learn more about beneficial ownership information reporting at www.fincen.gov/boi . Other reporting requirements Other business reporting requirements depend on the nature of your business. Most businesses will need to file to get a federal tax ID . Small businesses sometimes have to register with the federal government for trademark protection or tax-exempt status. If you want to trademark your business, brand or product name , file with the United States Patent and Trademark office once you’ve formed your business. If you want tax-exempt status for a nonprofit corporation, register your business as a tax-exempt entity with the IRS . To create an S corp, you’ll need to file form 2553 with the IRS . Register with state agencies If your business is a limited liability compa
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