Starting a Business in Ithaca: Licenses, Registrations & Checklist
A step-by-step plan to open a business in Ithaca: what to file first, what depends on what, and which permits come before opening day. Change the business details to fit yours.
Permits and registrations specific to Ithaca, NY
- City licenses (e.g., NYC DCWP) — Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York · City licensing agency: Ithaca / Tompkins County (city)
- Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Ithaca · Ithaca (Tompkins County) building department (city)
- Form the business: New York Department of State, Division of Corporations
- Register for state taxes: New York Department of Taxation and Finance
- Register as an employer: New York State Department of Labor
Startup sequence and prerequisites in Ithaca
Based on your selections, this plan has 10 steps. What you file first decides what you can do next: later registrations and licenses wait on the ones below.
Do these first
- Maintain a registered agent in New York
- File formation documents with the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Then, once those are done
- LLC publication requirement (New York) — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Register for and file New York entity-level taxes — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- City licenses (e.g., NYC DCWP) — Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Ithaca — after: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Known charges: $4.50 per year.
Total incomplete: some fees unknown
9 of 10 steps have no fee amount in our data. The figures above count only the 1 step with a recorded fee. Check each agency's fee schedule.
Common questions about Ithaca
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 Ithaca:
- Real estate licensing: New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
- Alcohol licensing: New York State Liquor Authority
- Child care licensing: New York Office of Children and Family Services
- Health facility licensing: New York State Department of Health
- City licenses (e.g., NYC DCWP) — Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York (City licensing agency: Ithaca / Tompkins County, city)
- Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Ithaca (Ithaca (Tompkins County) building department, city)
With your current selections, the licenses and permits are: City licenses (e.g., NYC DCWP) — Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York; Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Ithaca. Change the industry above to see yours.
Sources: dos.ny.gov, tax.ny.gov, dol.ny.gov
Formation comes first; tax, license and employer registrations wait on it. In your plan the first steps are:
- Maintain a registered agent in New York
- File formation documents with the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Sources: dos.ny.gov, tax.ny.gov
Known government fees for your plan: $0.00 one-time and $4.50 per year.
Steps without a recorded fee are not counted, so check each agency's fee schedule before you budget.
Sources: dos.ny.gov, tax.ny.gov
In your plan for Ithaca, requirements come from four levels. New York sets formation, state taxes and employer rules; the city and county add local licenses and taxes.
- Federal (2): Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN); File federal income tax return: Form 1040 with Schedule C
- State (5): Maintain a registered agent in New York; LLC publication requirement (New York); File Biennial Statement (New York); Register for and file New York entity-level taxes…
- City (2): City licenses (e.g., NYC DCWP) — Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York; Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Ithaca
Sources: dos.ny.gov, tax.ny.gov
- Register for unemployment insurance with New York State Department of Labor.
- Workers' compensation: New York Workers' Compensation Board. Required when: 1 employee
- NY Disability Benefits and Paid Family Leave coverage: applies from 1 employee.
- Register to withhold New York income tax from wages.
Sources: dol.ny.gov, dol.ny.gov, tax.ny.gov