Start Up Guide Overview Starting a business will dramatically change your life, and as with any such activity,

you should take the time to investigate what actions will be necessary for you to legally establish your business. This information will help keep your new business start-up on the "right track." Starting your own business does not mean that you will have to venture into the business world alone. There are a number of organizations capable of assisting businesses. Please refer to Section IV of this page for a list of organizations that provide technical assistance or advice to new businesses. Local Requirements Typically, the first step in establishing a business is to determine that the proposed location is zoned properly for the proposed business. Certain types of businesses will require a letter verifying the zone. If your business is to be operated from your home, a Home Occupation Permit is required. Zoning Verification information and Home Occupation Permits are obtained from the Durham City-County Planning Department. Be sure you have your tax identification number (available from the Tax Collections office) when requesting zoning information. Durham City-County Planning Department 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701 (919) 560-4137, Fax: (919) 560-4641 Durham City-County Tax Office Durham County Administrative Complex (Ground Level) 200 E. Main Street, Durham, NC 27701 (919) 560-0300 If your location is appropriate, you will receive your zoning verification with the appropriate signatures. Once you have your zoning compliance letter (or Home Occupations Permit), you then need to contact the Tax Collection Offices of the City and County to acquire Business Privilege Licenses. Durham City-County Tax Office Durham County Administrative Complex (Ground Level) 200 E. Main St., Durham, NC 27701 (919) 560-0300 City of Durham Business License Office 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701 (919) 560-4700 The fee for your business privilege license is determined by a fee schedule available for review at both the city and county collection offices. Please call either of these agencies to determine your company's license requirement. If you are planning to operate your business under any name but your own or that of your partner(s), you must file an Assumed Name Certificate with the Register of Deeds. Office of the Register of Deeds Durham County Administrative Complex (Ground Level) 200 E. Main St., Durham, NC 27701 (919) 560-0480 State Requirements A State Privilege License and License Tax are applicable to most businesses in North Carolina. Licenses are issued annually and should be applied for before the

commencement of any business activity. Contact the NC Dept. of Revenue's License and Excise Tax Division for information on Privilege Licenses. North Carolina Department of Revenue License and Excise Tax Division PO Box 25000, Raleigh, NC 27640-0640 (919) 733-3673 If you are planning to incorporate your business in North Carolina you must file Articles of Incorporation with the Department of the Secretary of State. Dept. of the Secretary of State Corporations Division 2 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 807-2225 All retail sales in North Carolina are subject to sales tax unless specifically exempt by statute. Wholesale transactions with a registered merchant for the purpose of resale are not subject to this tax. For information regarding this state assessment or to obtain a Wholesale Merchant's certificate of Sale, please contact the NC Dept. of Revenue, Sales and Use Division. North Carolina Department of Revenue Sales and Use Division 501 Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27604 (919) 733-2151 Certain taxes must be withheld from an employee's wages and submitted to the government. If you will be paying wages to one or more employees, you will need to complete an Application for Withholding Identification Number for your business with the North Carolina Department of Revenue. North Carolina Department of Revenue PO Box 25000, Raleigh, NC 27640-0640 (919) 733-3991, Fax (919) 715-2999 Other State Requirements and Tax Information: Incorporated businesses must file annual franchise and income tax returns with the state. North Carolina Department of Revenue Corporate Income and Franchise Tax Division 501 Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27604 (919) 733-3166 Any company employing one or more employees is required to provide unemployment insurance coverage for its workers. The NC Employment Security Commission administers employer contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Fund. For more information, contact their Durham office. Employment Security Commission of N.C. 1105 Briggs Avenue, Durham, NC 27701 (919) 560-6880 If your company will be employing three or more employees; you will be required to provide workers compensation coverage. For more information regarding Workers Comp., contact the NC Industrial Commission. North Carolina Industrial Commission 4319 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4319 (919) 807-2500, Fax: (919) 715-0282 To ensure the health and safety of workers employed in North Carolina, the Department of Labor administers the Occupational Safety and Health Act of NC. The department offers free services to ensure that your business is in compliance with OSHA standards.

North Carolina Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Division 4 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1092 (919) 807-2875 Federal Requirements The "Small Business Kit" is essential for navigating federal regulations if you have employees. Call the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-3676 and they will mail this kit to you with all the information you need, including Forms 940, 941, SS-4, W-2's, W4's, the "Tax Guide for Small Business," Circular E, and other federal necessities for starting a business. As mentioned in the State Requirements section, if you have employees, it is necessary to complete the SS-4 Form (Application for Employer Identification Number) in order to obtain a federal withholding I.D. tax number. Please contact the Internal Revenue Service's local Durham office in regard to all technical questions regarding federal taxation issues. Additionally, the Chamber encourages you to inquire about their "Small Business Tax Workshops" held periodically in Durham. Internal Revenue Service 3308 Chapel Hill Blvd., Suite 132, Durham, NC 27707 (800) 829-1040 Other Organizations to Assist You Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce Please call or stop by the Chamber of Commerce on the 14th floor of the Durham Centre building for more information on starting and growing your successful business. Becoming a member of the Chamber of Commerce can be an important part of an effective strategy for achieving many of your business goals. Information on membership is available at the Chamber office, or call us and we will mail it to you. Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce 14th Floor, Durham Centre 300 W. Morgan Street, Suite 1400 Durham, NC 27701 PO Box 3829, Durham, NC 27702 (919) 328-8735, Fax: (919) 688-8351 The City of Durham, Office of Economic and Employment Development assists companies and individuals with their business needs in Durham. The office provides economic and demographic data, and helps clients with specific issues related to site and building availability, the government approval process, financing options and more. City of Durham, Office of Economic and Employment Development 302 E. Pettigrew Street, Suite 190, Durham, NC 27701 (919) 560-4965, Ext. 212 The Service Corps Of Retired Executives (SCORE) represents a free service for businesspersons who need assistance in any of the facets of running a business. SCORE 411 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701-3616 N.C. Mutual Plaza (919) 541-2171 Good Work, Inc. provides training and technical assistance, loans, and networks of peer support to its small business members. Good Work Bull City Business Center 115 Market St., Ste. 470, Durham, NC 27701 (919) 682-8473

The Small Business Center at Durham Technical Community College offers counseling and business seminars for start-ups. Small Business Center at Durham Technical Community College 400 West Main Street, 3rd Floor., Durham, NC 27701 (919) 536-7241 Downtown Durham, Inc. will assist you if you are considering locating your business in the Downtown section of Durham. Downtown Durham, Inc. Bull City Business Center 115 Market St., Ste. 213, Durham, NC 27701 (919) 682-2800 The Durham Business & Professional Chain is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the facilitation, development, and growth of minority business endeavors. Assistance with business plans, technology, marketing, and other services is available by appointment. Durham Business & Professional Chain 908 Fayetteville Street, Suite 20 Durham, NC 27701 (919) 683-1047 or (919) 680-2878 The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) offers free counseling and technical assistance by appointment to small business people. Small Business and Technology Development Center North Carolina Central University School of Business 15 Alexander Dunn Bldg., 1801 Fayetteville St. Durham, NC 27707 (919) 530-7386 The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) provides guidance to start-up and emerging growth-oriented companies in the Triangle through seminars, workshops and other activities. Council for Entrepreneurial Development 104 T.W. Alexander Dr., Bldg. One, RTP, NC 27709 (919) 549-7500, Fax: (919) 549-7405 The Women's Business Center of North Carolina provides opportunities and tools to help women entrepreneurs achieve their business goals. The Women's Business Center of North Carolina 114 West Parrish St., 4th Floor, Durham, NC 27701 PO Box 1331, Durham, NC 27702 (919) 956-8889, Fax: (919) 688-4358 Self-Help Credit Union is a community development lender and can assist with Small Business loans. Self-Help Credit Union 301 West Main St., Durham, NC 27701 PO Box 3619, Durham, NC 27702 (919) 956-4400 or (800) 476-7428 The Durham Regional Financial Center's main office is a business incubator with startup and existing businesses as well as professional services ranging from legal and accounting to homeownership, financial literacy, social justice, debt relief, legal residency and naturalization. Durham Regional Financial Center 413 Chapel Hill St., Durham, NC 27701 (919) 688-3381

The Durham Public Library's main branch has a business reference room with information for starting a small business, making a business plan and more. Durham Public Library 300 North Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27701 (919) 560-0100 The Small Business Administration is a federal agency offering financing, training and advocacy for small firms. SBA's district office is located at Wake Technical Community College in Cary. SBA's NC office is located in Charlotte. Small Business Administration District Office Wake Technical Community Collge 600 New Waverly Pl., Suite 200, Cary, NC 27511 (919) 851-1891, Fax: (919) 851-9505 North Carolina Office 6302 Fairview Rd., Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28210 (704) 344-6563, Fax: (704) 344-6769 WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST WITH YOUR NEW BUSINESS! Note: Information contained herein is not intended to be all-inclusive of every requirement for establishing a business. Competent legal counsel is recommended and may be required to ensure that all licenses, taxes, and other requirements for establishing and conducting business are met. The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce assumes no liability for omissions or errors in the business plans of any person resulting from use of this general guide to Business in Durham.