Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Philadelphia
A store's filings are mostly registration and tax, plus the sign and occupancy for the space. Here are the 5 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.
LLC formation
Pennsylvania Department of StatePA
Form the LLC or register a foreign company online.
- Fee
- $125
- Filed
- Filed online
Pennsylvania tax registration (sales tax license and employer accounts)
Pennsylvania Department of RevenuePA
Register in myPATH (new customers don't need to log in) for sales, use and hotel occupancy tax, employer withholding and unemployment compensation.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- The Department of Revenue doesn't publish how long myPATH registration takes to issue a sales tax license.
Philadelphia tax account (BIRT and Wage Tax)
City of Philadelphia Department of RevenuePhiladelphia
Register the business as a new taxpayer on the Philadelphia Tax Center to get a Philadelphia Tax Identification Number, used for the Business Income and Receipts Tax and, with staff, the Wage Tax. The paper application can also apply for the Commercial Activity License.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Commercial activity license
City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsPhiladelphia
Every person or company doing business in Philadelphia needs it, and should get it before any other business license. Apply in eCLIPSE with the EIN and the BIRT ID, under the legal name on the city tax account, or at the Permit and License Center by appointment.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Issued automatically online, or while you wait in person.
- Renews
- Doesn't need to be renewed.
More on opening in Philadelphia
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Philadelphia
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your retail store in Philadelphia
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