Licenses and permits to open a grocery store in Portland
Selling packaged food adds food rules on top of a store's usual registrations. Here are the 3 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.
Portland business tax registration
City of Portland Revenue DivisionPortland
One Revenue Division account covers the Portland Business License Tax, the Multnomah County Business Income Tax and the Metro Supportive Housing Services tax. Register online in Portland Revenue Online with the tax ID, entity type, locations and owners, or mail, fax or bring the paper form.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Oregon employer registration (payroll taxes)
Oregon Department of Revenue, with the Oregon Employment DepartmentOR
Every employer with paid employees in Oregon registers before the first paycheck, online in Revenue Online or the Oregon Business Registry, or on the paper Combined Employer's Registration sent to the Employment Department. One number covers withholding, unemployment tax, the Workers' Benefit Fund and transit taxes.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- The state gives 30 business days online (60 on paper), and up to 14 business days through the Oregon Business Registry.
More on opening in Portland
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Portland
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your grocery store in Portland
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