Chelmsford, MA
A truck bed full of tools, the squeak of a stubborn faucet finally turning and a homeowner thanking you at the door.
Short answer: Obtain Massachusetts Business Lisense: start with the structure (an LLC for most owners), then a federal tax ID number (EIN) and a local business license.
The Massachusetts version of the seller's permit is the sales and use tax registration (Certificate of Registration). Suppliers selling to you tax-free will ask for a Form ST-4 Sales Tax Resale 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. Massachusetts' ST-4 resale certificate requires the buyer's registration number. Materials installed in a customer's home are often billed as part of the job, and how tax applies varies, so ask suppliers about contractor accounts instead of assuming a resale certificate fits.
Tip: Know the job-size limit for working without a contractor license, because the dollar threshold appears just when the job gets interesting.
Industry code: NAICS 238990 (All Other Specialty Trade Contractors)
Get your sales and use tax registration (Certificate of Registration) filed · Start your LLC, DBA and EIN · Business licenses
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All Businesses Need a Chelmsford Business License & a Trade Business Name ( Middlesex 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 MA 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 MA Business Tax ID but also need a Business License.
Instead of filing a Trade Business Name, You Can Incorporate in MA or form a(n) MA LLC & You Will Not Need To File A DBA
The licenses below are required for all businesses including internet as well as home and businesses like Etsy etc.
1. Handy Man Nearly all businesses need a(n) , Chelmsford business tax registration.
2. Handy Man All Businesses that use a business name to trade that is other than the surname and first name of a sole proprietor or a fictitious business name other than the LLC or Corporation legal name need a(n) Middlesex County DBA assumed business name certificate.
3. In MA 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 MAseller's permit, state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate).
4. Keep in mind that employers will need to obtain a federal EIN and a State EIN tax identificattion number as well. I.e., a MA Federal Tax ID Number and a(n) MA State Employer Tax Number.
5. Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing in Chelmsford, Incorporate in MA or form a(n) LLC.