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Starting a(n) Art Production Business Licenses & Tax IDs

Hi, I'm jeffrey Scott Coustom Art Work Art Production Custom Art Work am a medically retired army veteran who is an artist, i do a bit of everything when it comes to subject. i use oils acrylic and airbrush also. i also draw and have designed tattoos and do photography. i have a Web page, Facebook, and instagram.

To get your custom art biz rolling ..., jeffrey Scott.

Art Production

✔ Biz Structure

You can choose to be a(n) Art Production :

Sole Proprietor,
LLC,
Corporation or
Partnership.
After you decide and select your business entity, you need licensing.

✔ Biz License

Jewell Business Tax Registration ( Art ProductionBusiness License)
All businesses including home, online or mobile BUSINESS need a BUSINESS license because they are BUSINESSES.

✔ DBA Biz Name

A(n) Art Production business using a fictitious business name in Hamilton County i.e. you are a business with a trade name other than the owner's legal (full name) name are required to get a(n) fictitious business name. For instance you open a(n) Art Production business and you name it "Superior Art Production Group". You will need to file a fictitious business name for that name.

✔ Seller Permit

In addition note that in IA Art Production you may also need a seller's permit if you sell merchandise that is taxable. (A.K.A state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate, about $39 for most states). You will need it if you sell or want to buy wholesale any Art Production related items, such as food, materials, or merchandise.
Seller's Permit

✔ Federal EIN

Note: All businesses need a federal tax ID number except sole proprietors that are not employers and are not independent contractors.
An independent contractor is a self employed business person that receives more than $600 per year from anyone of his or her clients.
IRS rule: The client must issue a 1099 form to the independent contractor and the independent contractor must have a federal tax ID. However, even sole owners may obtain a federal ID and use it as a business tax ID instead of using their own social security number as a business tax ID number.
However, all other licenses that apply to sole proprietors as discussed here are requited regardless of getting a federal tax ID number.

✔ State EIN

In addition you will need a federal and a state EIN if you will hire employees. I.e., a IA Federal Tax Id Number ($29) and a(n) IA State Employer Tax Number

✔ L L C

Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing (about $49 plus state and legal newspaper publication fees) in Jewell, Incorporate in IA or form a(n) IA LLC .

You have a choice to file a DBA or form an LLC or incorporate. There is a cicrcumstance that you may not need to register a trade name and that is when you use your full name as a business name if you use your full legal name as a trade name.
Also note that even using your first and last name may not help you avoid filing a DBA if the name has a suffix such as "& sons" etc.

✔ Incorporation

If you do form an Other llc or incorporate (about $49 plus state fees for most states) your Art Production business instead of just filing a fictitious business name (dba), that insurs that you don't have personal liability for debts and civile liabililty arising from your business dealings and you will not have to record the Jewell business name. Instead of just registering your Hamilton County assumed business name (our fee includes assumed business name registration and legal newspaper publication) you can choose to setup a corporation in IA or form an IA LLC (starts @ $49 plus state fee for most states & includes required documents such as bylaws for the corporation and Limited Liability operating agreement for the LLC). .

Hello, I have some questions about laws in OR for selling artwork. I was just trying to understand the laws if I wanted to sell art if I made it we actually provide consultations, outreach, resource connection as well as sell unique custom items in which influence lifestyles. Do I need any type of license or permit selling paintings and crafts.

Yes Arthur, in Oregon, the laws require you to register your business. You will need a business license as well as a business name registration with a DBA, LLC or corporation. You don't need a seller's license in Oregon, but you do need a resale certificate when you buy wholesale your items that you create art with. So, order a seller's permit from us, and we will prepare the resale certificate that is part of it.

I will be providing electronic artwork and software user interface design. I'll just be providing the above services to probably one company. Thanks. What about social security withholding and other taxes owed?

Graphic design and user interface design for software so freelance graphic design and software design is considered a business and needs and EIN I will be providing electronic artwork and software user interface design.

I'll just be providing the above services to probably one company. Thanks checking out the link thanks Me and my friends are looking to open a business that sells paintings and to make money to give to charities.

✅ Licenses & Registrations You'll Likely Need

To get your custom art biz rolling legally and professionally, here’s the checklist of what you’ll probably need:

✅ LLC (Limited Liability Company) registration

✅ Seller's Permit

✅ Business Name Registration (aka DBA if you're not using your legal name)

✅ EIN (Employer Identification Number)

✅ General Business License

✅ Sales Tax Registration (built into the seller's permit in most places)

✅ Home Occupation Permit (if you're working from home)

✅ Zoning Clearance (if you're making art that involves things like airbrush paint or studio noise)

✅ Why You Need a Seller’s Permit

You're selling physical products like paintings, prints, and maybe even photography packages—so yep, a seller’s permit is your golden ticket to legally collect sales tax from customers. Whether you're hawking your art at a gallery, online, or from your garage studio, this permit is what keeps you on the up-and-up when it comes to selling goods.

✅ Do You Really Need an LLC or S Corp?

Short answer: If you want to keep your personal assets protected while looking super pro—yes, you probably want an LLC. An LLC (Limited Liability Company) gives your art biz its own legal identity. If someone sues your business (hopefully never), they can’t touch your personal assets like your house or your vintage comic book collection.

S Corps? That’s another flavor, mostly for tax strategy magic once you’re making real cheddar. For most solo artists starting out, an LLC is plenty.

✅ What’s an EIN & Why You Want One

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is like a Social Security Number, but for your biz. Even if you're the only one working, this number lets you:

✅ Open a business bank account

✅ File taxes under your biz name

✅ Hire employees down the road (if you ever need an assistant to clean your brushes or manage your Insta)

✅ Work with suppliers or get wholesale pricing on materials

✅ Business Name: To Register or Not?

If you're using anything besides your own legal name—like “Warrior Ink Studio” or “Paint & Purpose”—then yes, you’ll want to register that business name so it’s legally yours. You don't want someone else claiming it and turning your name into a dog-grooming biz.

✅ Initial Capital and Equipment You Might Need

You don’t need to sell a kidney to start a solid art biz, but here’s what you’ll likely want on hand:

✅ Startup capital: $500 to $5,000 depending on your medium and scale

✅ Professional camera or smartphone with a strong camera (for photographing your work)

✅ Paints: Oils, acrylics, airbrush kits

✅ Brushes, palettes, easels, and sketchbooks

✅ Canvas, paper, and other surfaces to create on

✅ Tattoo design software if you're digital-savvy

✅ Laptop or desktop for editing and uploading your work

✅ Website hosting and domain

✅ Lighting setup for your photography

✅ Packaging materials for shipping art safely

✅ Industry Stats to Inspire You

🎨 The U.S. art market is valued at over $50 billion annually—yeah, with a B

📸 Photography services bring in over $10 billion a year

🖼️ Custom artwork is one of the fastest-growing segments in online creative sales

🎭 Tattoo design is a booming freelance niche with growing demand for custom illustrations

Ready to make your creative hustle legit? Grab your licenses and get officially in the game at FilingsUSA.com ✅

Not Sure? Take Quiz!

Jewell jeffrey Scott 6/10/2025 5:49 AM .

Coustom Art Work Art Production

Custom Art Work am a medically retired army veteran who is an artist, i do a bit of everything when it comes to subject. i use oils acrylic and airbrush also. i also draw and have designed tattoos and do photography. i have a Web page, Facebook, and instagram.

To get your custom art biz rolling legally and professionally, here’s the checklist of what you’ll probably need: