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Plan for Fargo, ND

Starting a Business in Fargo: Licenses, Registrations & Checklist

A step-by-step plan to open a business in Fargo: 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 Fargo, ND

Sales tax permitNorth Dakota sales tax permit
City of FargoNo official page confirmed either way yet.
Cass CountyNo official page confirmed either way yet.
Register with these North Dakota agencies

Startup sequence and prerequisites in Fargo

Based on your selections, this plan has 25 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 North Dakota
  2. File formation documents with the North Dakota Secretary of State
  3. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Then, once those are done

  • Register for unemployment insurance (North Dakota) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Register for state income tax withholding (North Dakota) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • North Dakota sales tax permit (North Dakota) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Register for and file North Dakota entity-level taxes — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • City business license — Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota — 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 Fargo — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Report new hires to the North Dakota new hire directory — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Carry workers' compensation insurance (North Dakota) — 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 North Dakota workplace notices — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Start planObligations (24)
Government fees

Known charges: $50.00 per year.

Total incomplete: some fees unknown

23 of 25 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 (North Dakota).

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 / 25Saved 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 North Dakota

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 North Dakota Secretary of State

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)

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)

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 ND. Schedule: November 1.
Statutory deadline: Nov 15, 2026 · in 28 days
fee $50.00
Annual
checked Oct 13, 2026
Applies because: llc formed in ND. Schedule: November 15.
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.
Monthly
not individually checked
Quarterly
checked Oct 13, 2026
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 Fargo

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 Fargo:

  • Contractor licensing: North Dakota Secretary of State (contractor licensing)
  • Real estate licensing: North Dakota Real Estate Commission
  • Alcohol licensing: North Dakota Office of Attorney General (with local licensing)
  • Child care licensing: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  • Health facility licensing: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

With your current selections, the licenses and permits are: North Dakota sales tax permit (North Dakota); Obtain food service establishment / health permit; Ensure certified food protection manager on staff; City business license — Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota; Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Fargo. Change the industry above to see yours.

Sources: tax.nd.gov, sos.nd.gov, tax.nd.gov, jobsnd.com

In your plan for Fargo, requirements come from four levels. North Dakota 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 (13): Maintain a registered agent in North Dakota; File Annual Report (North Dakota); Register for and file North Dakota entity-level taxes; North Dakota sales tax permit (North Dakota)…
  • County (1): Obtain food service establishment / health permit
  • City (2): City business license — Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota; Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Fargo

Sources: tax.nd.gov, sos.nd.gov, tax.nd.gov

  • Register for unemployment insurance with Job Service North Dakota.
  • Workers' compensation: North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI). Required when: 1 employee
  • Register to withhold North Dakota income tax from wages.
  • Your plan adds these employer steps: Report new hires to the North Dakota new hire directory; Carry workers' compensation insurance (North Dakota); Display required federal labor law posters; Complete Form I-9 for each new hire; Display required North Dakota workplace notices.

Sources: jobsnd.com, nd.gov, tax.nd.gov

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