Skip to content

Small Business Administration

SBDC Tennessee logo

Checklist for Starting a Small Business

*DISCLAIMER. This checklist is not endorsed or approved by the IRS, SBA, and has not been reviewed for compliance with any program.

Checkbox

What to do:

Register for and attend “Starting a Small Business” course at the TSBDC at VSCC and write a business plan and investigate business financing and marketing.

Checkbox

Contact Info:

Checkbox

What to do:

Select professional services: 

  • Attorney
  • Accountant
  • Insurance Broker
  • Banking Partner
Checkbox

What to do:

Select a business structure (Sole Proprietor, Corp, LLC). Contact the Secretary of State regarding filing requirements.

Checkbox

Contact Info:

Not required for Sole Proprietors and Partnerships - get assistance from your attorney and accountant.

TN Filing Guides for Corp’s, Partnerships and LLC’s

https://tnbear.tn.gov/NewBiz/

Checkbox

What to do:

Contact the IRS for EIN (Employment Identification Number). –  Not required for Sole Proprietor without employees

Checkbox

What to do:

Contact the Tennessee Department of Revenue to determine the applicability of the sales and use tax regulations to the proposed business activity.

Checkbox

Contact Info:

Checkbox

What to do:

Learn about types of federal business taxes.

Checkbox

Contact Info:

Checkbox

What to do:

Obtain a business license through your City and County Clerk’s Office.

(Verify no other business is using the name you have selected.)

http://tnbear.tn.gov/ECommerce/NameAvailability.aspx

Checkbox

Contact Info:

Sumner County Clerk - 452-4063

Macon County Clerk - 666-2333

Trousdale County Clerk - 374-2461

Wilson County Clerk - 444-0314

 

Gallatin (City Hall) - 452-5400

Goodlettsville (City Hall) - 851-2200

Hartsville (City Hall) – 374-2461

Hendersonville (City Hall) - 822-1000

Mt. Juliet (City Hall) – 754-2552

Lafayette (City Hall) - 666-2194

Lebanon (City Hall) - 443-2839

Portland (City Hall) - 325-6776

Westmoreland (City Hall) - 644-3382

White House (City Hall) - 672-4350

Checkbox

What to do:

Register a New Business and create a TNTAP Logon account

Checkbox

Contact Info:

Checkbox

What to do:

Contact the County Assessor’s Office to file for the Business’ Tangible Personal Property tax.

Checkbox

Contact Info:

Sumner County Assessor’s Office - 452-2412

Macon County Assessor’s Office - 666-3688

Trousdale County Assessor’s Office - 374-2553

Wilson County Assessor’s Office - 444-8661

Checkbox

What to do:

If your Business operations in any way involve the purchase, processing or sale of food items, or the cutting, styling or care of hair, a permit may be required by the your county Health Department.

Checkbox

Contact Info:

Sumner County Health Department - 206-1100

Macon County Health Department - 666-2142

Trousdale County Health Department - 374-2112

Wilson County Health Department - 444-5325

Checkbox

What to do:

If your prospective business location is inside a city limit, you will need to contact the city zoning or codes department.

All prospective businesses in the rural areas of the county should contact the Planning Department.

Checkbox

Contact Info:

City Hall #’s – see above

Sumner Planning Department - 452-1467

Macon Planning Department - 666-2363

Trousdale Planning Department -

Wilson Planning Department - 449-2836

Checkbox

What to do:

If your business is involves making improvements to residential property, or single family units where the job is less than $25,000.00, and requires a permit from the Sumner County (Building Permits) Office, you need  a State of Tennessee Home Improvement License.

A business performing a construction job in excess of $25,000.00 should obtain a State of Tennessee General Contractors License.

Checkbox

Contact Info:

For more information, please call 1-800-544-7693.

This license is obtained at The Board of Licensing Contractors located at 500 James Robertson Pkwy. Nashville TN. 37219, or by calling (615) 741-8307.

Checkbox

What to do:

Start your tax year and choose your accounting method.

Checkbox

Contact Info:

Get assistance from your Accountant.

IRS – 1-800-829-1040

Refer to IRS Publication 538

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98673,00.html

Checkbox

What to do:

Obtain business insurance, e.g. General Business Liability, Commercial Vehicle and Cargo, Key Person (Death and Disability), Business Interruption, Theft, Robbery, Loss of Inventory, Fire Coverage, Workers Compensation, Errors and Omissions, Renters.

Checkbox

Contact Info:

Checkbox

What to do:

Determine estimated federal tax payments and begin making payments with Form 1040-ES Estimated Tax for Individuals.

Checkbox

Contact Info:

Get assistance from you Accountant.

IRS – 1-800-829-1040  www.irs.gov

Checkbox

What to do:

Obtain capital/loan if necessary.  You will need the following:

  1. A complete business plan that discusses how this loan will positively benefit your business.
  2. A sources and uses list:
    • How much the entire project will cost.
    • How much of your own money you are putting into the project (20-25%).
    • How much money you need to borrow.
    • Provide a list of how the funds will be used (be specific).
  3. A completed personal financial statement.
  4. Two to three years of tax returns.
  5. Cash flow projections for one to three years.
  6. If applicable:  Copy of leases, purchase and sales agreements, partnership agreements.
  7. A completed loan application (provided by the lender).

Any other information that you feel may be helpful to the lender.

Checkbox

Contact Info:

Review with your TSBDC Counselor.

Get assistance from your Banking Partner.

Scroll To Top