Starting a Business in Indiana Checklist

Check business name availability with the Indiana Secretary of State Start by doing a search to see if your business name is available: https://secure.in.gov/sos/online_corps/name_search.aspx All you need to do in this step is make sure the name is available, that it is not already the name of an existing business. In Indiana, you do not need to reserve your business’ name prior to completing your business filing. Indiana Secretary of State Indiana Secretary of State Business Services Division 302 W. Washington Street Room E018 Indianapolis, IN 46204 P: 317-232-6581 F: 317-233-3387
File paperwork to form my business You form a new business entity by filing the documents with the Indiana Secretary of State. To form a corporation, file Articles of Incorporation and pay the $90 filing fee. To form an Indiana LLC, file Articles of Organization and pay the $90 fee. If you mail your documents, processing takes 3-5 days. Walk-in and express-mail filings received by noon will be completed by noon the following business day. Filings received after 12 p.m. will be completed at noon in two business days. You can only fax file if you set up a prepaid account. To incorporate or form an LLC in Indiana, you need to include the following information about your business: – Business name – Authorized share information (corporations only) – The name, signature, and address of each incorporator/organizer – The name and registered office address of the registered agent – Indication of management structure (LLCs only) Filing online is a great option. Online filings are completed within minutes. https://secure.in.gov/sos/registration/select_entity_type.aspx If for some reason you don’t feel comfortable completing the filing or would rather have a professional do it, you can incorporate in Indiana with Northwest Registered Agent. Business Services Division Indiana Secretary of State Business Services Division 302 W. Washington Street Room E018 Indianapolis, IN 46204 P: 317-232-6581 F: 317-233-3387
Register with the Department of Revenue You have to submit the Department of Revenue business tax application online https://secure.in.gov/apps/dor/bt1/ Income Tax: The Indiana corporate tax rate is currently 7.5%. Indiana’s personal income tax rate is 3.4%. Sales Tax: The Indiana sales tax rate is 7%. Withholding Tax: The state income tax withholding rate is 3.4 percent. The county withholding tax rate depends on where the employee resides. The department of revenue has multiple district office locations listed on their website at http://www.in.gov/dor/3390.htm. Each type of tax has a different PO Box so read your forms carefully before mailing them. Department of Revenue Indianapolis Taxpayer Services 100 N. Senate Avenue, Room N105 Indianapolis, IN 46204 P: 317-232-2240 F: 317-232-1021
Get a business license There is no state business license but some businesses need a trade or professional license. Check with Indiana Professional Licensing Agency to see if you or your business requires additional licensing http://www.in.gov/pl Any other registration requirements? Check with the city where you do business to see if they have licensing requirements. City of Indianapolis and Marion County Indianapolis has different business license applications for various activities. Business license applications are available for download at http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DCE/Licenses/BusinessLicensing/Pages/licensing.aspx Lake County There is no Lake County business license requirement. But you should always check with the county to see if your business requires any specific permits. City of Hammond The Hammond City Controller issues licenses to certain types of businesses. You can download applications online at http://www.gohammond.com/web/54.0.0.1.0.0.phtml Local licensing info City of Indianapolis and Marion County Indianapolis Department of Code Enforcement 1200 Madison Avenue, Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN 46225 P: 317-327-4316 F: 317-327-0817 Lake County Lake County 2293 N Main Street Crown Point, Indiana 46307 City of Hammond City Controller’s Office Hammond City Hall, 1st Floor 5925 Calumet Avenue Hammond, IN 46320 P: 219-853-6324 F: 219-853-6345
Collect and Charge Sales Tax Do I need to collect Illinois sales tax? Every business selling tangible goods in Indiana will need a Retail Merchant Certificate. What is the Indiana sales tax rate? The Indiana state sales tax rate is 7%. How do I register for Illinois sales tax? You have to get a Retail Merchant Certificate from the Illinois Department of Revenue. Complete the business tax application online at https://secure.in.gov/apps/dor/bt1/ After you submit your business tax application online, the Indiana Department of Revenue will contact you regarding your application within 48 hours. How much does an Indiana Retail Merchant Certificate cost? There is a $25 fee. Indianapolis Taxpayer Services Indianapolis Taxpayer Services 100 N. Senate Avenue, Room N105 Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 233-4015 http://www.in.gov/dor/index.htm