Vocations · Professional Development

Make the business
official, in order.

Starting a small business means paperwork with the state, the IRS and your city or county, and the order matters: search the name before you file it, file before you open the bank account. Track every step and fee here.

Register a businessWhat you get

Your businesses

The worked example is made up: a candle maker forming an LLC and selling goods, and a lawn care sole proprietor trading under a business name with a hire planned. Saved on this device only.

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What you get

Vocations · Professional DevelopmentFree

What you finish with
A record per business: the name, structure, an assumed name, what it sells, employees, home operation, every filing fee with whether it is paid, start-up costs and twelve registration steps. Totals fees paid and owed and counts steps; flags the assumed name, the registered agent and annual report, sales tax, employer registrations, the free EIN and beneficial ownership reporting.
Who it is for
People starting a side business or a first small business, young entrepreneurs and career changers going out on their own.
Format
Browser checklist with a saved record per business. Prints one business’s steps and fees, every business in a table or a blank sheet; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Professional Development space in Caveat Vocations.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Pick the structure and check the name.
  2. File with the state if it is an LLC or corporation.
  3. Get the EIN and state tax accounts.
  4. Get the local license and check zoning.
  5. Open the bank account and calendar the annual dates.

Register a business

Who handles what

Three governments, three kinds of paperworkStateName search and the LLCor corporation filingRegistered agent andannual reportSales tax permit;withholding andunemployment accountsfor employeesFederalEIN from the IRS, freeTrademark search, andregistration if you wantitIncome tax returns:Schedule C or theentity’s ownLocalCity or county businesslicenseZoning or homeoccupation permitHealth, fire or tradepermits for some workWho handles which paperworkStateName search and the LLC or corporationfilingRegistered agent and annual reportSales tax permit; withholding andunemployment accounts for employeesFederalEIN from the IRS, freeTrademark search, and registration if youwant itIncome tax returns: Schedule C or theentity’s ownLocalCity or county business licenseZoning or home occupation permitHealth, fire or trade permits for some work
Fees and the exact list vary by state and city. Your state’s business portal or the Small Business Administration’s local office can tell you what applies.

Sole proprietor or LLC

A sole proprietorship needs no state filing: you and the business are the same for taxes and debts. An LLC costs a filing fee and an annual report, and in return it can keep business debts separate from your own if you keep the money separate too.

Taxes from day one

Self-employed people usually pay estimated taxes four times a year, including self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare. Set aside part of each payment you receive.

Sources

  1. U.S. Small Business Administration. Register your business, Get federal and state tax ID numbers and Apply for licenses and permits (sba.gov).
  2. Internal Revenue Service. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online and Self-employed individuals tax center (irs.gov).
  3. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Beneficial ownership information reporting, interim final rule of March 2025 (fincen.gov).
  4. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Trademark search (uspto.gov).

The worked examples are made up. Filings, fees and deadlines depend on your state, county and city and on the kind of work. This page organizes the steps and is not legal or tax advice. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.