Felicia · The Lighthouse Caffe · Anchorage, AK
Felicia asked: “I want to own a coffee shop. I will serve beverages and food to the public. My business will be in Alaska.”
Hi Felicia, Alaska has no statewide sales tax, so there is no state seller's permit, but a borough or city may levy its own sales tax with a local registration, so check where Anchorage's rules land. Food service will need a food permit before opening. With four employees, state employer registration in Alaska covers unemployment insurance, not income tax withholding. The Lighthouse Caffe needs a DBA.
Short answer: In Anchorage, Alaska, businesses are required to obtain licensing before they start operating. For a coffee shop, that means a federal tax ID number (EIN) and a local business license, plus a structure and name registration.
No statewide sales tax, so the state issues no seller's permit and wholesale-only businesses need no sales tax registration. Local sales tax areas may require registration. No statewide sales tax, but many boroughs and cities levy local sales taxes, some coordinated through a remote-seller commission.
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 Anchorage Business License & a Trade Business Name ( Anchorage Borough 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 AK 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 AK Business Tax ID but also need a Business License.
Instead of filing a Trade Business Name, You Can Incorporate in AK or form a(n) AK 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. Coffee Shop Nearly all businesses need a(n) , Anchorage business tax id registration (business license).
2. Coffee Shop 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) Anchorage Borough DBA ( doing business as ) fictitious business name.
3. In AK you may also need a sales tax ID AKA seller's permit if you sell merchandise that is taxable. ( A.K.A AKseller'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 AK Federal Tax ID Number and a(n) AK State Employer Tax Number.
5. Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing in Anchorage, Incorporate in AK or form a(n) LLC.