Steps to Start a New Business in Gadsden County

The Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce has researched the basic requirements for starting a new business in Gadsden County. The information is subject to change and there may be other start-up requirements that your business must comply with. It is the responsibility of the business owner to ensure all federal, state and local requirements are met.

Registrations and Licenses 

Register the business with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations at http://www.sunbiz.org/. The Corporate Information Department can be contacted at (850) 245-6052. Businesses are responsible for filing an annual report each year.

Contact the the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/ or (850) 487-1395 to see if your profession is one of over 50 regulated professions required to register to obtain special licenses or certificates.

Contact the Florida Department of Agriculture at http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ or (850) 488-2221 to see if your business is governed by their regulations.

Obtain a business occupational license for the city or town within Gadsden County the business will be located in. If the business is mobile, you may need to obtain a license for each city in which the business operates. Click here for a list of municipalities and communities represented by the Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce. Gadsden County does not offer county-wide occupational licenses.

All businesses, except sole proprietorships with no employees, must register for a Federal Identification Number. Contact the Internal Revenue Service at http://www.irs.gov/, (800) 829-4933 or (850) 942-8995.

Taxes

The State of Florida requires retail stores and other businesses to collect sales tax. To apply for a sales tax certificate, contact the Florida Department of Revenue at http://www.myflorida.com/ or (850) 488-9750.

Florida corporations must pay Florida corporate income tax. Contact the Florida Department of Revenue at http://www.myflorida.com/ or (800) 352-3671.

The Gadsden County Property Appraiser's office taxes the personal property of businesses (i.e. computers, furniture, and other business equipment). Go to www.qpublic.net/gadsden/ to download the Tangible Personal Property Form. If the property is less than $25,000 exemptions may be available after completed form is submitted. Additional information can be obtained by calling (850) 627-7168.

All businesses are required to withhold payroll taxes for all employees. Contact the Internal Revenue Service at http://www.irs.gov/, (800) 829-4933 or (850) 942-8995.

Employers are required to withhold federal income tax and Social Security taxes from their employees' wages or salaries. Contact the Internal Revenue Service at http://www.irs.gov/, (800) 829-4933 or (850) 942-8995.

Most  businesses with one or more employees must contribute to a federal fund that pays unemployment insurance to workers that have been laid off. Contact the Internal Revenue Service at http://www.irs.gov/, (800) 829-4933 or (850) 942-8995.

Businesses must pay into a state fund that pays state unemployment insurance. contact the Florida Department of Revenue at http://www.myflorida.com/ or (800) 482-8293.

Click here to view a list of tax professionals that are members of the Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce and can help you with your tax questions and filing needs.

Workers' Compensation Insurance and Exemptions

Business with four or more employees must pay into a state fund that compensates workers who are injured on the job. In some businesses, the rules that apply may be more strict. Contact the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Workers' Compensation at www.fldfs.com/wc/ or (850) 488-2713. Click here to view a list of insurance agencies that are members of the Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce.

If you cannot obtain coverage through the standard Workers' Compensation market, you can contact the Florida Workers' Compensation Joint Underwriting Association at (941) 378-7400 or http://www.fwcjua.com/.

If qualified, some business owners may choose to obtain workers' compensation exemption. Go to http://www.fldfs.com/wc/keycoverage.html to find key coverage and exemption eligibility requirements or call (850) 413-1601. If you are an officer of a corporation or a member of a limited liability company (LLC), you may qualify for a Construction Industry Exemption, which will exempt you from carrying workers' compensation coverage. Call the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Workers' Compensation at (850) 488-2713 or click here to download workers' compensation exemption forms.

New Employee Hire Reporting

Employers are required by federal and state law to report all new/rehire employees who work in the State of Florida to whom the employer anticipates paying earnings. Employees  must be reported even if they only work one day and are terminated. This reporting requirement is part of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996. Contact the Florida New Hire Reporting Center at http://www.fl-newhire.com/, (888) 854-4791 or (850) 656-3343.

Zoning and Permits

Business owners must contact the Gadsden County Planning and Zoning Department at (850) 875-8663 to make sure the business they want to conduct is permitted on the property that the business will be located. Permit information can be obtained by calling (850) 875-8665.

Health Regulations

People who open, own or operate restaurant, hotel or other food service businesses need to comply with health regulations. Contact the Gadsden County Health Department at http://www.gadsdenhealth.org/ or (850) 875-7200.

Business Incentives

CareerSource Capital Region  offers a variety of financial incentives for local businesses creating new new jobs for Gadsden County including tax credits and wage reimbursement.