Business Startup Guide
Discover the steps to getting your business off to a solid start
Write a Business Plan
A business plan is essential to starting and running a
business and often is required when applying for loans
and seeking investors. Detail the business’s purpose and
goals and how you will achieve them.
Choose a Location
Considerations include proximity to potential
customers, ease of access and zoning restrictions. The
Chamber will help you navigate the local permitting
process and locate commercial space.
Obtain Financing
The Chamber can connect you with banks and credit unions
that finance small businesses as well as provide information
on federal and state financing, including programs for
minority, veteran and women entrepreneurs.
Choose a Legal Structure
The most common business structures are Sole
Proprietorships, Partnerships, Corporations, S Corporations
and Limited Liability Companies. The Chamber can assist
you in finding legal guidance if needed.
Register Your Business Name
To do business in Florida, you need to register your company
with the Florida Division of Corporations and obtain a bank
account for the company. You are required to do these steps
even if you have an online or at-home business.
Get a Tax ID
All businesses — except sole proprietorships with no
employees — must apply to the Internal Revenue
Service for a federal employer identification number.
Register for Taxes
Before you begin business, you must first find out if your
business activity or products used are subject to sales
or use tax. If it is, you must register with the Florida
Department of Revenue to collect those taxes. Some
businesses also are subject to federal taxes. Contact the
IRS for more information.
Personal Property Tax
All counties tax the personal property or business
equipment of businesses.
Local Business Tax Receipts
Nassau County does not require Local Business Tax
80 | Discover Nassau 2018
Receipts, often referred to as business licenses.
However, Callahan, Fernandina Beach and Hilliard
require all businesses within their municipal limits to
obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt.
Get Licenses and Permits
A variety of businesses and professions are required
to obtain specific licenses issued by the Department
of Business and Professional Regulation. Some
professionals may be licensed through other agencies
including the Department of Financial Services,
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and
the Department of Health.
Report Employees
If you have employees, you must report newly hired
and re-hired employees to the Florida New Hire
Reporting Center. Employers must withhold from
salaries of their employees for federal tax purposes as
well as pay Social Security taxes. Most businesses with
one or more employees must contribute to a federal
fund that pays unemployment insurance to workers
who have been laid off.
Workers Compensation
Florida law requires any non-construction business
employing four or more people and any construction
business with at least one employee must obtain
workers’ compensation insurance. The Chamber can help
connect you with a Florida-licensed insurance agent.
Business in Nassau
THE CHAMBER IS
YOUR RESOURCE FOR:
• Statistics, industry data & demographic
information
• Financing options
• Minority, women, veterans resources
• Employee recruitment
• Networking
• Legal referrals
• Insurance information & referrals
• Permitting & licensing referrals
• Financial, accounting & bookkeeping referrals
• Marketing resources & referrals
• Mentoring & guidance