What is the order of registering my business with the State, County and City?

When creating a new business there are several steps that must be done and the order can be confusing.  

After you have completed a  LAND USE REVIEW and received an approval, then you are ready to following the below steps:

Here is the order for most business operations:

  1. STATE LEVEL: You must complete and fully process any/ all state level requirements for your business operation:
    1. Creating a business name (any name other than your legal name for the business must be registered and fully executed at the state level, see sunbiz.org for these details) 
    2. Obtain a Federal Employees Identification Name (FEIN) required when creating a Corporation, LLC, Incorporated, etc.
    3. Certain types of businesses must obtain a Sales Tax number/ or Sales Tax exemption, etc. (see Department of Revenue for these details)
    4. If there are state level agency documents required for your business operation, these must be processes prior to registering the business with the city/ county (i.e. Health Department, Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR), Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, etc., please contact state level agency for specifics and details)
  2. CITY LEVEL: Register at the City level for a Local Business Tax Receipt
  3. ORANGE COUNTY LEVEL: After you have the City of Winter Garden Local Business Tax Receipt, you then are required to register with the Orange County Local Business Tax office at 200 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 1600, Orlando, FL 32801, 407-836-5650 or email at Orange County Business Tax information

Show All Answers

1. If I'm thinking of starting a business within the city of Winter Garden, how do I start?
2. What type of business is allowed in particular district?
3. If my business is in a Commercial Zoned area, why must I complete a Land Use Review application?
4. What is the order of registering my business with the State, County and City?
5. If I'm operating a business from a Winter Garden, FL address must I get a Business Tax Receipt?
6. Why can I not register a PO Box or a Mailing Center address as my business location?
7. What happens if I don't register a business with the City of Winter Garden for a city address?
8. Do I have to renew my business tax receipt each year?
9. Do I need to get inspections for my business?
10. What is a Business Tax Receipt?
11. How much does a Business Tax Receipt cost?
12. When will my business tax receipt expire?
13. Do I need just one business tax receipt for my business?
14. If I have a City Business Tax Receipt, do I also need a County Business Tax Receipt?
15. How do I renew my Business Tax Receipt?
16. Who is exempt from paying for a Business Tax Receipt?
17. Are Business Tax Receipts transferable?
18. How long does it take to get a City Business Tax Receipt?