How to Get Your Business Registered In Ohio

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

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

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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

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

Logo by Allie Lehman

– Craig Baldwin

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