New Business Start Up Checklist

Sign Up For Email Updates

Get news from San Diego and Imperial Women’s Business Center in your inbox.

New Business Start Up Checklist

We highly suggest going in order:

  1. Fictitious Business Name – Doing Business As Statement
  2. Business License – Business Tax Certificate
  3. Employer Identification Number (EIN) 
  4. Business Bank Accounts
  5. Sales & Use Permit oka Seller’s Permit (Required for products only)
  6. Business Insurance

Once all steps are completed, please share your good news with us by confirming via email to your advisor! 

Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed the steps needed to ensure your business is legally valid.

1. Fictitious Business Name – Doing Business As Statement

A Fictitious Business Name (FBN) or Doing Business As (DBA) statement is required when the business name does not include the surname of the individual owner(s) and each of the partners; or the business name suggests the existence of additional owners; or the nature of the business in not clearly evident by the name of the business. For example Bill Smith and Sons Plumbing would require a FBN because the name implies additional owners, Bill Smith Plumbing does not require a FBN. Bill Smith Industries would require a FBN because it does not identify the nature of the business.

County of San Diego
Clerk/Recorder/Assessor
Fictitious Business Name
1600 Pacific Highway, Rm. 260
P.O. Box 121750 (Zip Code: 92112)
San Diego, CA, 92101
Phone: 619-237-0502
Fictitious Business Names – County Clerk 

2. Business License – Business Tax Certificate 

Required for all entities doing business within city limits. See “County Unincorporated” for businesses located outside of city limits.

San Diego County Business Licenses
Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


City of San Diego

City Treasurer
Business Tax Division
1200 Third Avenue, First Floor
PO Box 122289
San Diego, CA, 92101
Phone: 619-236-6112
Fax: 619-236-7134
[email protected]
website


City of Chula Vista

Planning and Building Department
Business License Office
276 Fourth Avenue
Chula Vista, CA, 91910
Phone: 619-691-5250
Fax: 619-409-5814
website

3. Employer Identification Number (EIN) 

Employers with employees, business partnerships, and corporations, must obtain an Employer Identification Number from the I.R.S. Businesses can obtain appropriate Federal income tax forms from this location.

IRS: Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online 

4. Business Bank Accounts

  • Checking account
  • Savings account

5. Sales & Use Permit aka Seller’s Permit (Required for products only)

All businesses selling or leasing tangible property must obtain a Seller’s Permit.

Pub 73 Your California Seller’s Permit

Obtaining a Seller’s Permit – CDTFA

Department of Tax and Fee Administration
15015 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 385-4700

6. Business Insurance (Technically optional, but… don’t risk it!)

    • Errors and omission (E&O)
    • General liability

Information gathered by Cally Ingebritson

Let’s Get Started

Are you looking to start or grow your women-owned small business?

2023-08-31T00:16:54+00:00
Go to Top