ok I got a kitchen I can rent everything was worked out but what is the next step? I know this much I have to get a food handler's permit then get the license do I also need to get a tax id? Does anyone know how to do that? When do I choose a business name and logo and how do I get one that's not taken already what are the rules on that and if I design my own logo is it copyrighted I guess meaning is it exclusively for me only? I am thinking of buying somethgings for my business mixer for the workplace, advertising, business cards and such when can I make it a write off after I become a business or before? thanks you so much girls
Good for you hope it works out my husband and I are very excited!!!!
All of this depends on where you live! Contact your court clerk and find out where to get your dba. After you do that you normally take the notarized info to the comptrollers office and get your tax ID. Also, when you get your dba ask the clerk if you have to get a business license and follow that through. I wouldn't buy anything until you get all of this taken care of. The tax ID # will get you items at wholesale and ingredients sales tax free.
If you don't know how to set up the bookkeeping you might want to consult with a CPA so you can do your books correctly and save yourself a lot of headache...and $$.
ok I got a kitchen I can rent everything was worked out but what is the next step? I know this much I have to get a food handler's permit then get the license do I also need to get a tax id? Does anyone know how to do that? When do I choose a business name and logo and how do I get one that's not taken already what are the rules on that and if I design my own logo is it copyrighted I guess meaning is it exclusively for me only? I am thinking of buying somethgings for my business mixer for the workplace, advertising, business cards and such when can I make it a write off after I become a business or before? thanks you so much girls
If you haven't consulted an accountant you might do this first. You need to know how you are going to set up your business. This is kind of complicated and the tax consequences can be huge.
It really all depends on what state you are in. I live in Arkansas and I go through the states website. You will have to incorporate the name of your business witht the state and get a employer identification number through the IRS. It isn't hard. Through your state's website you can search already established business names to make sure that the one you want isn't taken. You can do all of this on-line and it takes only minutes. You need to do the IRS part first because the state should ask for your EIN (employer identification number) to do its thing.
If you are buying things for your business you can save the receipts and reimburse yourself from the business later. You have to have a tax id number from the state. This may take some time and it will save you money in the long run.
I hope this helps!
wow thanks for all the info I better get to calling,
Ditto on what SweetConvections has posted. I went through the State Dept. of Revenue and got my Missouri State Tax ID #. This ran me about $25. I then had to get my FAKE NAME registered with the state, this makes sure you are not using another business name out there. Then I had to contact my local city clerk and get a VENDORS license. Both my state license and city license have to be displayed in my shop at all times. Keep all receipts of anything you buy right now.....that way at the end of the year when you do your taxes you will have them all. I do all mine on the computer.....this way each month I have my gross receipts on file and at the end of the year, print them out to take to my tax person.
Good Luck!
Why must you have a unique name?! What about all those hairdressers called 'A Cut Above' etc, there are plenty of those, often in the same county?!
icingandsprinkles, you don't have to incorporate right off the bat. You can start out a sole proprietorship and move onto limited liability company and then move into incorporation as you see fit. Also, don't forget to check on liability insurance...this day and age it is a must and it's more affordable than you might think. 
I can't say for other states....but Missouri requires you to register a fictious name....not only to make sure it's not being used by another company, but for your own protection. My legal advisor told me that it protects you in case someone else comes along and has the same name and they try to take your business and claim it for their own. I do know that a couple places in our town had their name picked out and put up signs and when they went to set it up legal....they had to change the name as it was already used. So they had to tweak it a bit different to not get in trouble or be taken to court.
Congrats on your kitchen!
The advice above is all correct. Try your state small business website to get a d.b.a licensed and a retail sales permit number. You won't need an E.I.N. # from the IRS necessarily unless you're hiring help.
Here's another interesting thing to check. I got licensed in two states, but when I registered my name in my neighboring state, I didn't know that a lady with my EXACT same name (same uncommon spelling!) sells cakes in the nearest large city that is my main market, and she uses her name in her company, too. I'm "Cakes by Jane Doe"; she's "Jane Doe's Isn't It Sweet". I know--it's not the same at all, to me, but customers often mistake me for her. I make sure that if they seem to think I'm HER, that I send them back to HER. I don't want her thinking I'm misleading or "stealing" her customers. The d.b.a name search just said my particular business name was available, so you might take the few minutes to search the list and see what names ARE registered in your state (especially locally) that could be similar to yours. If I'd known about this lady, I may have chosen a different name. Of course I licensed in my state first, then hers, so it probably wouldn't have changed much. But still...it's sort of weird.
Some other things if you're renting a kitchen:
1. If you're serious about selling, definitely look into a general liability insurance. And let the agent know you rent a kitchen. You'll probably have to have the kitchen and/or the city it's located in added to the policy as "additional insured".
2. Ask the Health Department if you need a bakery/confectionery license for your state (I did in one state but not the other) when you do the food handler's permit. They can set that up to reflect that you are basically operating a bakery out of the rented kitchen. They'll probably have you fill out a bakery permit application, pay for it, then come and inspect you in your new "bakery" the first time you use it.
3. Check online with your Health Dept about the food handler permit--I was able to do a sort of "pretest" study thing online at home that printed me a slip to take to the H.D. that said I'd already passed the online course but just have to take the actual test at the H.D. (it's NOT hard).
4. Make a friend (or at least a friendly acquaintance) at the H.D.--you'll sleep better at night knowing someone there is in your corner. 
Good Luck!
PM me if you have any questions--I spent the whole winter worrying about all this myself...
I can't say for other states....but Missouri requires you to register a fictious name....not only to make sure it's not being used by another company, but for your own protection.
I am missing something here. Why would you register a fictitous name? Why would you not register the actual name of your business?
Ficticious name IS the business name, but it's not YOUR actual name.
As in ...
Bob Jones, d.b.a. (doing business as) A Cut Above Hair Salon
If you're a sole proprietorship, your name will be the "legal name" on most paperwork, but there will be another line for d.b.a. name...kind of confusing. Your SS# is also the taxpayer I.D.#, unless you hire employees.
insurance is VERY affordable here! My insurance man got me a GREAT plan for only $32.50 a month. Have you insurance guy check out different coverages for you.
And congratulations!!
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