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Starting a Home-based Creative Arts Business in Florida
There is a wealth of information available to a creative artist who wants to set up his/her creative arts business the right way and from “scratch.” The information below is intended to get you started!
First, go to the Florida Division of Corporations website. The left side of the home page has a link, Starting a Business. This link has valuable information about start-ups, whether you are planning to have a corporation, LLC, a partnership or another type of business organization.
Not only can you do the initial set-up of a corporation with just your laptop and your credit card, but the website has a hyperlink to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website which shows how to obtain a federal employer identification number (EIN). The EIN is generally required by financial institutions for opening a bank account. Other links on this website include links for sales tax information and licensing information through the DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation). Of course, it is always wise to consult a tax professional and a legal professional to get a “wellness check” on your business ideas and documents before you move ahead.
It is also important to comply with local county (and municipal, if appropriate) requirements. By Florida law, the concept of “occupational licenses” was replaced with “business tax receipts.” A fine may be imposed on the business owner if the business starts operating before the business tax account is set up and a “business tax receipt” is obtained.
Generally, zoning approval by the local authorities is required. For those who live in Lee County, Florida, a valuable resource is the Lee County Tax Collector’s website New Business link. This explains local requirements for setting up a business and even has a helpful Checklist for New Businesses in English and in Spanish .
It is better to set your business up correctly the first time than to try to fix problems later!
Nothing contained on this page should be construed as providing legal advice or creating an attorney-client relationship. All information herein is intended as educational only. For advice specific to your situation, please contact an attorney of your choice.