Edible Events + · Gilbert, AZ
The owner shared: “I want to run a food catering business out of my home in Maricopa County, Arizona, selling baked goods and food. What licenses do I need? What is the difference between an LLC and a DBA?”
In Arizona, prepared food sales fall under the Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license, and the Form 5000A resale certificate covers ingredients and items you resell. Home kitchens are generally limited to certain low-risk baked goods, so full catering often needs a commercial kitchen. As for LLC versus DBA: a DBA is just a registered trade name, while an LLC separates your personal assets from the business.
Short answer: Need Wholesale Lincense: Arizona doesn't issue a document called a "wholesale license." The registration suppliers ask for is the Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license, backed by a Form 5000A resale certificate.
The Arizona version of the seller's permit is the Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license. Suppliers selling to you tax-free will ask for a Form 5000A resale certificate. An Arizona wholesaler must hold a TPT license to buy for resale tax-free and must file returns reporting its wholesale sales. Arizona's TPT is a tax on the seller's privilege of doing business, not a tax on the buyer.
Industry code: NAICS 722320 (Caterers)
Get your Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license filed · Start your LLC, DBA and EIN · Business licenses
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All Businesses Need a Gilbert Business License & a Trade Business Name ( Maricopa 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 AZ 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 AZ Business Tax ID but also need a Business License.
Instead of filing a Trade Business Name, You Can Incorporate in AZ or form a(n) AZ LLC & You Will Not Need To File A DBA
List of required licenses below include online as well as home or Amazon businesses.
1. Catering The majority of starting businesses need a(n) , Gilbert business tax id registration (business license).
2. Catering Businesses with an trade firm name other than the owner's legal name are required to get a(n) Maricopa County DBA ( doing business as ) fictitious business name.
3. In AZ you may also need a sales tax ID AKA seller's permit if you sell merchandise that is taxable. ( A.K.A AZseller'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 AZ Federal Tax ID Number and a(n) AZ State Employer Tax Number.
5. Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing in Gilbert, Incorporate in AZ or form a(n) LLC.