Starting a Business in New Hampshire: Licenses, Registrations & Checklist

New Hampshire start-up checklist

Form your LLC or corporation with New Hampshire Secretary of State. Official page
A trade name (DBA) is registered with the state.

Register for state taxes with New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. Official page
Business-level tax: Business Profits Tax and Business Enterprise Tax.
New Hampshire has no statewide sales tax. Instead: New Hampshire has no general sales tax; restaurants and lodging register for the Meals and Rentals Tax with the DRA.
New Hampshire has no wage withholding for state income tax.

Register for unemployment insurance with New Hampshire Employment Security. The 2026 taxable wage base is $14,000 per employee; experience-rated rates run from 0.1% to 7%. Official page
New employers start at 2.7%.
Workers' compensation through New Hampshire Department of Labor, Workers' Compensation Division and private insurers. Required when: 1 employee
Post the required labor notices at your workplace. Official page

(LLCs, corporations and nonprofits): every year by April 1; fee $100.
State tax returns and payments (sales, withholding, unemployment) follow the schedule your agency assigns when you register.

Business filings and annual reports: New Hampshire Secretary of State. Official page
Taxes: New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. Official page
Unemployment insurance and labor rules: New Hampshire Employment Security. Official page
Workers' compensation: New Hampshire Department of Labor, Workers' Compensation Division.
Real estate licensing: New Hampshire Real Estate Commission.
Alcohol licensing: New Hampshire Liquor Commission.
Child care licensing: New Hampshire DHHS Child Care Licensing Unit.
Health facility licensing: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Town/city licenses (Town or city clerk): New Hampshire has no general local business license; local zoning and health permits apply.
Cannabis: medical licensing only, regulated by New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Therapeutic Cannabis Program.

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

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