Edward · Ed And Dale's The Homestead Coffee Shop · French Lick, IN
Edward shared: “I want to open a coffee shop selling coffee, tea, ice cream, sodas, and sandwiches, plus retail coffee mugs and souvenirs. What would be a better option, DBA or LLC? We won't have employees initially but may grow into that.”
Hi Edward, an LLC limits personal liability, while a DBA is only a registered name, so for a food business an LLC is often the safer choice. Indiana expects the Registered Retail Merchant Certificate, and the Form ST-105 General Sales Tax Exemption Certificate covers mugs and ingredients you resell. An EIN also lets you stop giving out your Social Security number, and each trade name like PLUTO needs registering.
Short answer: In French Lick, Indiana, businesses are required to obtain licensing before they start operating. For a coffee shop, that means the Registered Retail Merchant Certificate, a federal tax ID number (EIN) and a local business license, plus a structure and name registration.
In Indiana, the seller's permit goes by the name Registered Retail Merchant Certificate. Suppliers selling to you tax-free will ask for a Form ST-105 General Sales Tax Exemption Certificate. Suppliers generally accept a resale certificate only from a buyer registered for sales tax, so even a business that mostly buys and sells wholesale usually registers. Indiana's ST-105 certificate requires the buyer's Indiana registration number for resale claims by in-state buyers.
Industry code: NAICS 722515 (Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars)
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John · Portland, OR
Hi John, Oregon has no statewide sales tax, so the coffee shop won't need a state seller's permit, but food service rules apply instead, including approval of your kitchen and equipment and health inspections. With eight employees, you also need an EIN and state employer registration. Portland adds its own business license, so start there.
Short answer: For a coffee shop in Portland, Oregon, the essentials are a federal tax ID number (EIN) and a local business license, plus an LLC or other structure.
No statewide sales tax, so the state issues no seller's permit and wholesale-only businesses need no sales tax registration. No statewide sales tax, so no seller's permit; out-of-state suppliers may still ask for documentation such as a multistate exemption certificate.
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All Businesses Need a French Lick Business License & a Trade Business Name ( Orange County Trade Business Name required if using a trade name).
Retailers / Wholesalers, Need a Reseller Tax ID, & a Business License.
Employers Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN), a IN State Tax Id ( State EIN), & a Business License.
Corporations, & LLC Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN)& a Business License.
Partnerships Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN) & a Trade Business Name, but also need a Business License.
Sole Proprietors May Use a Federal Tax Id Number as a IN Business Tax ID but also need a Business License.
Instead of filing a Trade Business Name, You Can Incorporate in IN or form a(n) IN LLC & You Will Not Need To File A DBA
List of required licenses below include online as well as home or Amazon businesses.
1. Coffee Shop The majority of starting businesses need a(n) , French Lick business tax registration.
2. Coffee Shop Businesses with an trade firm name other than the owner's legal name are required to get a(n) Orange County DBA assumed business name certificate.
3. In IN you may also need a tax id called a resale tax ID or seller's license if you are selling touchable items. ( A.K.A INseller's permit, state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate).
4. You will need a federal and a state EIN if you will hire employees. I.e., a IN Federal Tax ID Number and a(n) IN State Employer Tax Number.
5. Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing in French Lick, Incorporate in IN or form a(n) LLC.