Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Jersey City
A store's filings are mostly registration and tax, plus the sign and occupancy for the space. Here are the 4 filings, in the order they're made.
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.
Business formation and tax registration
NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise ServicesNJ
Form or register the company, then register for state taxes.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
New Jersey tax and employer registration (NJ-REG)
NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise ServicesNJ
Everyone doing business in New Jersey registers; NJ-REG is the tax and employer registration, filed online at least 15 business days before opening. A corporation or LLC files its certificate of formation first. A business collecting sales tax gets a Certificate of Authority.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- File at least 15 business days before opening.
Jersey City Certificate of Occupancy
City of Jersey City, Department of Housing, Economic Development and CommerceJersey City
Needed to operate legally, and for new construction, major renovations or a change in the building's use. Apply through the Jersey City Permit Portal after any construction permits and inspections; open violations on the property block it.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
More on opening in Jersey City
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Jersey City
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your retail store in Jersey City
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders