Starting a Business in Alaska: Licenses, Registrations & Checklist

Alaska start-up checklist

Form your LLC or corporation with Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. Official page
A trade name (DBA) is registered with the state.

Register for state taxes with Alaska Department of Revenue. Official page
Business-level tax: Corporate income tax (no individual income tax).
Alaska has no statewide sales tax. Instead: Alaska has no statewide sales tax; many boroughs and cities levy their own and sellers into Alaska register with the Alaska Remote Seller Sales Tax Commission (ARSSTC).
Remote sellers must register once sales into the state pass $100,000 a year.
Alaska has no wage withholding for state income tax.

Register for unemployment insurance with Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The 2026 taxable wage base is $54,200 per employee; experience-rated rates run from 1% to 5.4%. Official page
New employers start at 1%.
Workers' compensation through Alaska Division of Workers' Compensation and private insurers. Required when: 1 employee
Post the required labor notices at your workplace. Official page

(LLCs, corporations and nonprofits): every 2 years by January 2; fee $100.
Alaska state business license (Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing); renewed every two years. Official page
State tax returns and payments (sales, withholding, unemployment) follow the schedule your agency assigns when you register.

Business filings and annual reports: Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. Official page
Taxes: Alaska Department of Revenue. Official page
Unemployment insurance and labor rules: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Official page
Workers' compensation: Alaska Division of Workers' Compensation.
Contractor licensing: Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing.
Real estate licensing: Alaska Real Estate Commission.
Alcohol licensing: Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
Child care licensing: Alaska Department of Health, Child Care Program Office.
Health facility licensing: Alaska Department of Health.

Borough/city business license (City or borough clerk): Local licenses and sales tax registration where the municipality has them.
Cannabis: adult-use licensing, regulated by Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (Marijuana Control Board).

Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Rules change; confirm each item with its agency.

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