ESD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I find out if I need to register my business or corporation with New York State?
How do I go about establishing a sole proprietorship?
Who should I contact to get answers to my questions about personal or business taxes?
Where can I find help in getting the right permits and
licenses in order to start or expand my business?
You should contact the
Online business permit
database which was created to help grow
private-sector jobs and businesses in New York State by
making regulations more sensible and the Permitting process
more efficient. The database can provide guidance in identifying and
obtaining the right business permits or licenses that are
required by New York State.
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How can I find out if I need to register my business or
corporation with New York State?
To determine whether you need to register your business or
corporation in New York, you need to contact the
New York State
Department of State.
For answers to frequently asked questions, access to forms
and information about fees, refer to the section on
"Corporations" under the heading "Business and Licensing
Services."
New York’s
Business Corporation Law, Article 13, outlines the
requirements for a foreign corporation to do business in New
York. Generally, most foreign or non-New York State based
corporations must register with the Department of State and
obtain a "Certificate of Authority."
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How do I go about establishing a sole proprietorship?
To establish a sole proprietorship you must file an Assumed
Name Certificate with the
clerk of the county or counties in which the business is
conducted ONLY IF you are operating under a name other than
the proprietor’s (no formation document is required).
For the purposes of taxation, business income is reported
and taxed through the sole proprietor’s personal tax return.
You may access additional information from the
New York State
Department of State and the
New York State
Department of Tax and Finance.
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Where would I find information about state and local
business requirements as well as possible financial
assistance and other services?
Empire State Development (ESD) is the "one-stop
shop" for economic development resources. ESD’s 10
strategically located offices around the State is staffed
with experienced project managers and personnel who provide
a wide-range of support services, information and other
resources to guide and assist businesses seeking to grow and
expand in New York State.
Call (800) STATE-NY or contact your local
ESD Regional Office.
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How do I gain access to employment listings for job seekers
and employers as well as employment statistics for New York
State?
Visit the
New York State Department of Labor where you will find a
host of employment-related information.
Questions relating to job searches and or job training can
also be directed to the
Department of
Labor.
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Who should I contact to get answers to my questions about
personal or business taxes?
Questions concerning taxes can best be answered by
the New York State
Department of Taxation and Finance, which offers
telephone assistance from 8:30 a.m. to 4:25 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
General Tax Information: For information or answers to your
New York State tax questions, call toll free: (800)
225-5829.
Ordering Forms: For forms and publications, call toll free:
(800) 462-8100.
Business Tax Information Center: For information or forms
for Withholding, Sales, Corporation, Truck Mileage, Motor
Fuel, Petroleum Business, Alcohol, Cigarette, Tobacco,
Beverage Container or Hazardous Waste Tax and the
International Fuel Tax Agreement, call toll free: (800)
972-1233.
To Receive Forms by Fax (Fax-on-Demand Forms Ordering
System): From a touch-tone phone, call toll free from the
United States and Canada: (800) 748-3676, available 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. Most forms are available. A fax code
is used to identify each form. An index of fax forms and
their codes is available via fax and can also be viewed on
their web site.
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