Start a Business Checklist
Going from side work to a real business is mostly a sequence of small official steps. This page keeps the sequence in one place — what to prepare, what to check, and where the official source is for each step.
1. Write down the idea and who pays for it
Before any paperwork, put the basics on one page: what you sell, who buys it, and what it costs to deliver. A short written plan is also the first thing banks and partners ask to see.
2. List the questions about business structure
Sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation — the right fit depends on liability, taxes and how many owners there are. Prepare your questions and read the official comparison; if the stakes are real, this is the step to ask a professional about.
3. Check your state's registration office
Registration is handled by your state, and the office, forms and fees differ from state to state. Visit the official state resource to see what applies where you operate — don't rely on summaries that may be out of date.
4. Get an EIN from the IRS directly
An EIN is the federal tax ID most businesses use for banking and hiring. The IRS issues it directly, online, at no charge — visit the official page rather than a third-party site that charges for the same thing.
5. Prepare a separate business bank account
Keeping business money out of your personal account makes every later step — books, taxes, invoices — simpler. Check what documents your bank asks for; most want the registration and EIN from the steps above.
6. Set up simple records from day one
Decide where income and expenses get recorded — a spreadsheet, an app, or an accountant — before the first sale, not at tax time. The IRS explains what kinds of records businesses keep and for how long.
7. If you hire, check the official employer steps first
Bringing on your first employee adds federal and state steps — verification, withholding, reporting. Visit the official employer pages before the offer, so the paperwork is ready when they start.
Paperwork you can start using today
Once the business exists, the everyday documents are the easy part — fill them in free, no signup, no watermark:
About this checklist
This is a general planning aid, not legal or tax advice. Registration steps, fees and timelines vary by state and situation — confirm the details on the official pages linked above, or with a licensed professional for your specific case.