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    How to Get Your Business Registered In Ohio

    You’ve got a great concept for a business, and you want to make your idea a reality. What’s next?

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    A lot of paperwork.

    But don’t worry. Upsourced Accounting has taken out the guesswork by providing you with a list of necessary registrations.

    To establish a business in Ohio, you will need to take the following actions:

    1. Federal – Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

    2. State – Register on Ohio Business Gateway

    3. State – Establish an account with Ohio for employer payroll tax withholding

    4. State – Apply for a vendor’s license

    5. State – Register for Commercial Activity Tax (CAT Tax), if applicable

    6. State – Register with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

    7. State – Register with ODJFS for Unemployment Tax

    8. Local – Register with Columbus City Tax Withholding

    ***

    Federal

    1. Apply for an EIN

    • • Select “Apply for an EIN online”
    • • Select “APPLY ONLINE NOW”

    State

    2. Register on Ohio Business Gateway

    Ohio Business Gateway is the tool that you will use to:

    a. Register for Ohio Department of Tax for employee withholding

    b. Register for your vendors’ license

    c. Register for Commercial Activity Tax (CAT)

    d. Make payroll tax filings and payments*

    e. Make state unemployment tax filings and payments*

    f. Make sales tax payments*

    g. Pay workers’ compensation*

    *Unless performed by payroll provider and/or accountant

    To sign up, visit business.ohio.gov/ and select “Login Now or Create an Account.”

    3. Establish an account with Ohio Department of Tax for Employer Withholding

    • • Log in to your account on Ohio Business Gateway.
    • • Under “Start a Service of Transaction” select “Ohio Taxation – New Accounting Registration” from the drop-down.
    • • Select “Ohio Withholding” to set up an account with Ohio.

     4. Apply for a Vendor’s License

    • • Log in to your account on Ohio Business Gateway.
    • • Under “Start a Service of Transaction” select “Ohio Taxation – New Accounting Registration” from the drop down.
    • • Select “County Vendor’s License” to set up an account with Ohio.

    5. Register for Commercial Activity Tax (CAT Tax), if applicable

    • • Commercial Activity Tax is levied on Ohio Businesses with gross receipts (revenue) in excess of $150,000 annually.
    • • Log in to your account on Ohio Business Gateway.
    • • Under “Start a Service of Transaction” select “Ohio Taxation – New Accounting Registration” from the drop down.
    • • Select “CAT Registration” to set up an account with Ohio.

    6. Register with Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

    • • Select “Apply for coverage”
    • • Choose New/start-up business in Ohio
    • • Select “Begin online form now.”

    7. Register with ODJFS for Unemployment Tax

    • • Click on “Employers” in the left menu
    • • Select “Create a New Account” at the bottom of the page

    Local

    8. Register with Columbus City Tax Withholding

    • • Select “Tax Forms” in the left menu
    • • Select “Businesses” in the left menu
    • • Download and complete Form IT-47

    ***

    Now you’re ready. Go make some money with your new business!

    Logo by Allie Lehman

    Craig Baldwin

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