The following guidelines provide a starting point to familiarize you with the basic requirements and considerations for starting a business in Harford County, Maryland. These guidelines give direction, but are not intended to replace specific legal information from certified professionals.

To start a business in Maryland, visit www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/checklist.html. The State provides detailed information regarding business requirements on their web site:

• Select your business structure
• Create and register your business
• Obtain personal property tax information
• Register a trade name
• Obtain federal, state, county and local tax information
• Check county and city zoning requirements
• Obtain and complete Application for Business License

You may also follow these steps:

• Register your business and establish the legal entity with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, www.dat.state.md.us or 410.767.1340.

• Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service, http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html

• Establish your tax accounts with the Maryland Comptroller of the Treasury, http://interactive.marylandtaxes.com/comptrollercra/entrance.asp or call 410.767.1313.

• Learn about state licenses through the Business License Information System at http://www.BLIS.state.md.us

• Contact the Harford County Clerk of the Circuit Court regarding business licenses, http://www.courts.state.md.us/clerks/harford/business.html or 410.638.3426.

• For help preparing a business plan and guidance through the above processes, contact the Small Business Development Center, www.harford.edu/sbdc or 410.836.4237.

• For assistance with site selection information, tax incentives, financial assistance and other business support services in Harford County, contact the Harford County Office of Economic Development http://www.harfordbusiness.org or 410.638.3059.

• For assistance with zoning in Harford County, contact the Harford County Office of Planning and Zoning at http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/planningzoning/ or 410.638.3103.