3 ms·

Is it common for jurisdictions in the U.S. to require licenses to do any kind of business? Seems pretty crazy. In the UK there are very few businesses that requ

Is it common for jurisdictions in the U.S. to require licenses to do any kind of business? Seems pretty crazy. In the UK there are very few businesses that require licenses. Mainly ones involving alcohol or gambling.

tgflynn 11y ago
I've been wondering about that too and I live in the US. I've often seen various places asking for "business licenses" but as far as I know there's no such thing where I live (New York State). There are licenses for certain professions and types of business of course, but you don't need a license to start a business in a field that isn't explicitly regulated.
- duaneb 11y ago
  There are articles of incorporation, which are pretty necessary to avoid liability.
  - dragonwriter 11y ago
    Articles of incorporation are necessary to establish a corporation; they are separate from business licenses which are required, in many local jurisdictions, for most businesses (though a business that is a corporation will need both.)
  - tgflynn 11y ago
    Liability is a separate question though, you're allowed to run a business as a sole proprietor without any license if you want to (irrespective of whether or not that's a good idea).
- chrismcb 11y ago
  http://licensecenter.ny.gov/business-licenses http://licensecenter.ny.gov/business-licenses I haven't looked at every state but I would be surprised if there was a state that had no business licenses.
hyperpape 11y ago
I can't say exactly how many states require them, but it's not uncommon. My impression is that it's typically stupid red tape and a source of petty revenue, rather than something that actually is denied people.
thawkins 11y ago
You are not seriously going to try and claim that setting up a business is an easy thing to do in the uk. Between the VAT and accounting rules, and conforming to the government and council ordinances, it may as well be licensed. And in many cases is, transport, food, retail, and many other business types also have licence requirements ontop of the mountain of paperwork.
stephengillie 11y ago
WA State requires a license also for this privilege. When Do You Need a License? Your gross income is $12,000 per year or more. Your business is required to collect sales tax. Your business is required to pay taxes or fees to the Department of Revenue. You are a buyer or processor of specialty wood products. If you answer yes to any of the above statements, then you need to register with the DOR. If you’re a corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, a limited partnership, or one of the offshoots of these three organizational structures, you need to register with Washington’s Secretary of State Office prior to filing a Business License Application. http://business.wa.gov/are-you-starting-business#top http://business.wa.gov/are-you-starting-business#top
joveian 11y ago
Yes, it seems like most cities (at least larger cities, but at least many of the small ones too) and a few states require business licenses for any business. Some cities wave the fee for low income folks and some will happily charge you more than you made as "business income" in some cases (Philadelphia going after folks who put ads on their blog is the one I know about, there may be more). I think most state licensing is more limited, but still tends to cover wide professional areas and often is more trade protectionism than public benefit.

tgflynn 11y ago

I've been wondering about that too and I live in the US. I've often seen various places asking for "business licenses" but as far as I know there's no such thing where I live (New York State). There are licenses for certain professions and types of business of course, but you don't need a license to start a business in a field that isn't explicitly regulated.

duaneb 11y ago
There are articles of incorporation, which are pretty necessary to avoid liability.
- dragonwriter 11y ago
  Articles of incorporation are necessary to establish a corporation; they are separate from business licenses which are required, in many local jurisdictions, for most businesses (though a business that is a corporation will need both.)
- tgflynn 11y ago
  Liability is a separate question though, you're allowed to run a business as a sole proprietor without any license if you want to (irrespective of whether or not that's a good idea).
chrismcb 11y ago
http://licensecenter.ny.gov/business-licenses http://licensecenter.ny.gov/business-licenses I haven't looked at every state but I would be surprised if there was a state that had no business licenses.

hyperpape 11y ago

I can't say exactly how many states require them, but it's not uncommon. My impression is that it's typically stupid red tape and a source of petty revenue, rather than something that actually is denied people.

thawkins 11y ago

You are not seriously going to try and claim that setting up a business is an easy thing to do in the uk. Between the VAT and accounting rules, and conforming to the government and council ordinances, it may as well be licensed. And in many cases is, transport, food, retail, and many other business types also have licence requirements ontop of the mountain of paperwork.

stephengillie 11y ago

WA State requires a license also for this privilege. When Do You Need a License? Your gross income is $12,000 per year or more. Your business is required to collect sales tax. Your business is required to pay taxes or fees to the Department of Revenue. You are a buyer or processor of specialty wood products. If you answer yes to any of the above statements, then you need to register with the DOR. If you’re a corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, a limited partnership, or one of the offshoots of these three organizational structures, you need to register with Washington’s Secretary of State Office prior to filing a Business License Application. http://business.wa.gov/are-you-starting-business#top http://business.wa.gov/are-you-starting-business#top

joveian 11y ago

Yes, it seems like most cities (at least larger cities, but at least many of the small ones too) and a few states require business licenses for any business. Some cities wave the fee for low income folks and some will happily charge you more than you made as "business income" in some cases (Philadelphia going after folks who put ads on their blog is the one I know about, there may be more). I think most state licensing is more limited, but still tends to cover wide professional areas and often is more trade protectionism than public benefit.