Start a Business
Building your own business from the ground up is an exciting opportunity, but it can also be challenging.
Follow the 10 steps from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to starting a business. You’ll learn about writing a business plan, determining the legal structure of your business, and more.
Avoid common mistakes and get advice from experienced small business owners who want to help. Local SBA partner organizations offer free access to mentors and trainers.
The following tips and checklists can help you with other important parts of the process.
Business Funding Options
Learn about a wide range of funding options to help start your business, such as government-guaranteed loans, grants, and other financial assistance.
Tax Requirements to Start a Business
It’s important for your business to comply with federal, state, and local tax laws.
Make sure to meet all federal tax requirements for starting a business. Follow this checklist from the IRS.
Each state has additional tax rules when you start and operate a business. Get information on state-level requirements.
Learn more about business taxes, including energy tax incentives that can help you save money.
Business Insurance
When starting your own business, you’ll need proper insurance coverage to make sure you are protected. Find out what kinds of business insurance you’ll need.
Learn about health insurance plans to cover you and your employees, including the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP).
Hiring Business Employees
When starting a business, you may decide to hire some help. Find information on hiring your first employee, including how to start the hiring process and make sure you comply with key federal and state regulations.
Hiring Foreign Nationals
By law, you must only employ individuals who have permission to work in the U.S. The online E-verify system allows companies to determine the eligibility of potential employees. Register your company with E-Verify.
Consumer Protection Law
As a business owner, it’s important for you to understand your rights and responsibilities when it comes to protecting your customers. Get tips and advice on complying with consumer protection laws, including advertising and marketing, privacy and security, and more.
Help for Military Veteran and Minority-Owned Businesses
A wide range of programs and services help veterans and minorities in starting or growing a business. This includes tips to launch your business, support with selling to the government, and more.
Military Veteran Businesses
Visit the Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP). This Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resource assists businesses in accessing federal services and connecting to relevant “best practices” and information.
Register your business with the Vets First Verification Program to be eligible for special opportunities to do business with the government. Small businesses that are owned and controlled by veterans and service-disabled veterans, and verified through the program, may also be given priority when competing for federal contracts. Learn how to apply, and find out which documents you will need to submit. You can also find VA-certified business counselors in your statefor free help.
Find information on starting a veteran-owned business, from creating a business plan to learning about financing.
Minority-Owned and Small Disadvantaged Businesses
Get suggestions and information on business operations, winning government contracts, and more to help you grow your minority-owned business.
Learn about SBA’s requirements to qualify as a small and disadvantaged business. SBA also helps small businesses in underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to federal contracts.
If you’re interested in selling to the government, you can find a wide range of special government contracting opportunities from the Small Business Administration (SBA). This includes programs to help women-owned small businesses and small disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace.
Several federal agencies have a dedicated office to help small businesses get more information about contracting with their agencies. Search for an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) to find an agency your business would like to learn more about working with.
Self-Employment and Working from Home
You are self-employed if you operate a trade, business, or profession either by yourself or with a partner.
Find out the basics of self-employment to help you succeed in the small business world:
- Starting and Financing a Small Business - Explore opportunities and get tips to help you succeed.
- Tax Information - Learn about filing requirements for the self-employed, reporting responsibilities, and more.
- Health Insurance - Explore coverage options for the self-employed.
- Social Security Information for the Self-Employed (PDF, Download Adobe Reader) covers how to report your earnings when you file your taxes.
Work from Home
Are you thinking about basing your business out of your home? The Small Business Administration's 10 Steps to Start Your Business includes the licenses and permits you need to run a home-based business.
Home Office Deduction
If you use a portion of your home for business, you may be able to take a home office tax deduction.
Work-at-Home Scams
Learn what to watch out for to avoid work-at-home scams. In one common scam, you may be tricked into paying to start your own internet business. These scammers will keep asking you to send money for more services related to this fake business opportunity. To file a complaint about a scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Federal Government Telework Guidelines
If you’re a federal employee looking for information on teleworking, visit www.telework.gov.
Note: The federal government never charges a fee for information about, or applications for, government jobs. You can search and apply for federal government jobs for free at USAJOBS.
Commercial Driver's Licenses
If you want to get a commercial driver's license (CDL), contact your state motor vehicle agency. More information about commercial driver's licenses may be available from your state or regional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) office or local commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driving school.
Congress passed the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to ensure that drivers of commercial motor vehicles are qualified to operate those vehicles. States have the right to issue a driver's license, but they must meet minimum national standards when issuing a commercial driver's license. The Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Program places requirements on the commercial motor vehicle driver, the employing motor carrier, and the states.
States are required to issue a commercial driver's license to drivers with specific license classifications based on the type of vehicle. Drivers who operate special types of commercial motor vehicles need to pass additional tests. While the FMCSA sets the federal standards that states must meet, it is your state that determines the:
- Application process
- License fee
- License renewal cycle
- Renewal procedures
- Reinstatement requirements after a disqualification
States may also exceed certain federal standards in areas such as medical, fitness, and other qualifications.
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