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Plan for Paterson, NJ

Starting a Business in Paterson: Licenses, Registrations & Checklist

A step-by-step plan to open a business in Paterson: what to file first, what depends on what, and which permits come before opening day. Change the business details to fit yours.

Your businessThe plan below updates as you change these.
Details

Permits and registrations specific to Paterson, NJ

Sales tax permitNew Jersey Certificate of Authority
City of PatersonHas its own business licenses, taxes or permits (listed below).
Passaic CountyNo official page confirmed either way yet.
Local licenses and permits to obtain
  • Hold a Paterson mercantile license · City of Paterson Mercantile Licensing (city)
Register with these New Jersey agencies

Startup sequence and prerequisites in Paterson

Based on your selections, this plan has 28 steps. What you file first decides what you can do next: later registrations and licenses wait on the ones below.

Do these first

  1. Maintain a registered agent in New Jersey
  2. File formation documents with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
  3. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Then, once those are done

  • Register for unemployment insurance (New Jersey) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Register for state income tax withholding (New Jersey) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • New Jersey Certificate of Authority (New Jersey) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Register for and file New Jersey entity-level taxes — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Municipal business registration — Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Obtain food service establishment / health permit — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Ensure certified food protection manager on staff — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Paterson — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Hold a Paterson mercantile license — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Report new hires to the New Jersey new hire directory — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Carry workers' compensation insurance (New Jersey) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Display required federal labor law posters — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Complete Form I-9 for each new hire — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Display required New Jersey workplace notices — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Provide paid sick leave (New Jersey) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Start planObligations (27)
Government fees

Known charges: $75.00 per year.

Total incomplete: some fees unknown

26 of 28 steps have no fee amount in our data. The figures above count only the 2 steps with a recorded fee. Check each agency's fee schedule. Fees that depend on your situation: File wage reports and pay unemployment insurance contributions (New Jersey).

File formationOct 25, 2026in 7 days
Ready to operateJan 1, 2027in 75 days
Opening dateNot setAdd a target opening date to check the plan fits
Progress0 / 28Saved in this browser

Things the formation documents depend on: a registered agent and any professional approvals.

Suggested planning date: Oct 25, 2026
Ongoing
not individually checked

File the formation documents with the state.

Suggested planning date: Nov 8, 2026
One-time
not individually checked
After: Maintain a registered agent in New Jersey

Obtain the EIN (and apply for tax-exempt status, for nonprofits). Most registrations need it.

Suggested planning date: Nov 11, 2026
One-time
not individually checked
After: File formation documents with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services

State tax accounts, trade name, foreign qualification and publication requirements.

Suggested planning date: Nov 25, 2026
One-time
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Nov 25, 2026
One-time
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Nov 25, 2026
One-time
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Nov 25, 2026
Annual
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Licenses and permits you need before you operate: state, industry, local and professional.

Suggested planning date: Dec 25, 2026
Annual
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Dec 25, 2026
Annual
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Dec 25, 2026
Ongoing
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Dec 25, 2026
One-time
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Dec 25, 2026
Ongoing
checked Oct 13, 2026
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Insurance, employment paperwork, new-hire reporting and workplace notices.

Suggested planning date: Jan 1, 2027
Per event
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Jan 1, 2027
Ongoing
checked Oct 13, 2026
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Jan 1, 2027
Ongoing
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Jan 1, 2027
Per event
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Jan 1, 2027
Ongoing
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Suggested planning date: Jan 1, 2027
Ongoing
not individually checked
After: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Recurring filings and payments, in the order they fall due.

Statutory deadline: Oct 31, 2026 · in 13 days
Quarterly
not individually checked
Applies because: Business has employees. Schedule: April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31.
Statutory deadline: Nov 1, 2026 · in 14 days
Annual
checked Oct 16, 2026
Applies because: Business operates in NJ. Schedule: November 1.
Statutory deadline: Jan 31, 2027 · in 105 days
Annual
not individually checked
Applies because: Business has employees. Schedule: January 31.
Statutory deadline: Jan 31, 2027 · in 105 days
Annual
not individually checked
Applies because: Business has employees. Schedule: January 31.
Statutory deadline: Apr 15, 2027 · in 179 days
Annual
not individually checked
Applies because: Federal tax treatment is sole_prop. Schedule: April 15.
Statutory deadline: Oct 31, 2027 · in 378 days
fee $75.00
Annual
checked Oct 13, 2026
Applies because: llc formed in NJ. Schedule: Last day of the anniversary month.
Monthly
not individually checked
Quarterly
checked Oct 13, 2026
Quarterly
not individually checked
Monthly
not individually checked
Suggested planning dates are allowances, not agency processing times. Statutory deadlines come from the rules and are labeled as such.

Common questions about Paterson

The state licenses your industry through its own regulator, and the city and county add local permits. These are the authorities and local items on record for Paterson:

  • Contractor licensing: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (home improvement contractor registration)
  • Real estate licensing: New Jersey Real Estate Commission
  • Alcohol licensing: New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (with municipal licensing)
  • Child care licensing: New Jersey Department of Children and Families
  • Health facility licensing: New Jersey Department of Health
  • Hold a Paterson mercantile license (City of Paterson Mercantile Licensing, city)

With your current selections, the licenses and permits are: New Jersey Certificate of Authority (New Jersey); Obtain food service establishment / health permit; Ensure certified food protection manager on staff; Municipal business registration — Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey; Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Paterson; Hold a Paterson mercantile license. Change the industry above to see yours.

Sources: nj.gov, nj.gov, nj.gov

In your plan for Paterson, requirements come from four levels. New Jersey sets formation, state taxes and employer rules; the city and county add local licenses and taxes.

  • Federal (8): Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN); File federal income tax return: Form 1040 with Schedule C; Deposit federal payroll taxes; File Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return)…
  • State (15): Maintain a registered agent in New Jersey; File Annual Report (New Jersey); Register for and file New Jersey entity-level taxes; New Jersey Certificate of Authority (New Jersey)…
  • County (1): Obtain food service establishment / health permit
  • City (3): Municipal business registration — Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey; Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Paterson; Hold a Paterson mercantile license

Sources: nj.gov, nj.gov

  • Register for unemployment insurance with New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
  • Workers' compensation: New Jersey Division of Workers' Compensation. Required when: 1 employee
  • NJ Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance contributions: applies from 1 employee.
  • Register to withhold New Jersey income tax from wages.
  • Your plan adds these employer steps: Report new hires to the New Jersey new hire directory; Carry workers' compensation insurance (New Jersey); Display required federal labor law posters; Complete Form I-9 for each new hire; Display required New Jersey workplace notices.

Sources: nj.gov, nj.gov, nj.gov

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