Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Houston

1. 1

   Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)

   Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal

   Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Paper form, faxed or mailed

   Takes

   Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

2. 2

   Certificate of Formation (Texas LLC)

   Texas Secretary of StateTexas

   Filed online in SOSDirect, or by mail or fax.

   Fee

   $300

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   No standard time published; paid expedited service typically takes 2 to 3 business days.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

3. 3

   Assumed Name Certificate (DBA)

   Texas Secretary of StateTexas

   Filed when the store trades under a name other than the legal name.

   Fee

   $25

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   No standard time published; paid expedited service typically takes 2 to 3 business days.

   Renews

   Valid up to 10 years.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

4. 4

   Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit Application

   Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsTexas

   Apply online in eSystems before your first sale; one permit for each location.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   Permit arrives in about 2 to 3 weeks.

   Renews

   Does not expire.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

5. 5

   Certificate of Occupancy

   City of Houston, Houston Permitting CenterHouston

   Form CE-1045-A, emailed to Occupancy Inspections (Occupancy.Inspections@houstontx.gov); iPermits is only for paying afterwards. Needed for a new tenant use or change of use inside city limits.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Paper form, mailed

   Takes

   Houston lists the Certificate of Occupancy's processing time as 15 minutes once the final inspection is approved; the certificate is emailed to you.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

6. 6

   Unemployment tax account

   Texas Workforce CommissionTexas

   Register online once you pay wages in Texas.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   Account number issued instantly online.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

7. 7

   Sign permit

   City of Houston, Sign AdministrationHouston

   Filed with the Houston Permitting Center before the sign goes up.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed on the agency's portal

   Takes

   About 4 to 11 business days.

   Renews

   Every year.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

8. 8

   Franchise tax annual report

   Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsTexas

   Filed every year by May 15, even when no tax is due.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   The Comptroller doesn't publish a processing time for the report; the annual franchise tax report is due May 15 (next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday).

   Renews

   Every year by May 15.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Houston</strong></p><ol><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</li><li>Certificate of Formation (Texas LLC) (Texas Secretary of State)</li><li>Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) (Texas Secretary of State)</li><li>Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit Application (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)</li><li>Certificate of Occupancy (City of Houston, Houston Permitting Center)</li><li>Unemployment tax account (Texas Workforce Commission)</li><li>Sign permit (City of Houston, Sign Administration)</li><li>Franchise tax annual report (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/houston/retail-store.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>Copy the code

More on opening in Houston

• How much permits cost to open in Houston
• How long permits take in Houston
• Opening in Houston as a foreign company
• Hiring your first employees in Houston
• Build-out and occupancy permits in Houston
• Importing goods into Houston
• Renewals and annual filings in Houston

Questions people ask

• How do I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
• How long does it take to get an EIN?
• Does a foreign-owned single-member LLC have to file Form 5472?
• How do I become an importer of record in the US?
• Does a Texas LLC have to file a franchise tax report if it owes no tax?
• Do I need a sales tax permit in Texas?

Other businesses in Houston

• Milk tea and bubble tea shops
• Coffee shops
• Restaurants
• Hot pot restaurants
• Bakeries
• Dessert shops
• Grocery stores
• Cosmetics stores
• Toy stores
• Importers and online sellers
• Warehouses and 3PLs

Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.