Fact Sheet - State of New Hampshire (ver. 1)

Registration of Business Name

1. If doing business under own name, registration is not required, but it is desirable.
2. If trading under any name, even your own, registration of this trade name may be accomplished by contacting:

Office of Secretary of State
State of New Hampshire
25 Capital St, 3rd Floor
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-3244 (603) 271-3246
NH Corporate Division

• Click on "Forms & Laws" then "Tradenames"
• You get a 5-year registration with a $50 fee.

NH Business Profits & Enterprise Taxes

• Anyone in business whose gross income exceeds $50,000 must file. File with:

State of New Hampshire

Department of Revenue
61 South Main St, PO Box 637
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2186
NH Dept of Revenue

Taxes

1. Federal Income Taxes - A copy of Pub 334, "Tax Guide for Small Business" and Pub 583 "Starting a Business and Keeping Records" IRS Forms & Pubs IRS Pubs
2. Federal Employment Taxes - Every employer is required to apply for an "Employer Identification Number" on Form SS-4 to cover federal income tax withholding, social security payments and Unemployment Insurance. A free copy of Circular E, Pub 15 "Employer's Tax Guide" is available from the Internal Revenue Service. To obtain your Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online
3. Small Business Tax Workshops - The Internal Revenue Service recommends that you attend a Small Business Workshop because it provides an introduction to business taxes. Typically a workshop includes discussion of the following topics:
• Tax advantages and disadvantages of sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations.
• The basics of preparing your business tax returns.
• How to withhold and make deposits of Federal taxes.
• How the IRS works: services, tax audits, your appeal rights, penalties a business may incur.
• What records you will need to keep and how good records benefit your business.
• To register for a Small Business Tax Workshop Small Business Tax Workshops and Webinars

1. Licenses - State and municipal ordinances require licenses of various kinds for a number of businesses. A restaurant, for instance, may require clearance from the local Fire Dept., Sanitation Dept., Health Dept., Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control, etc. State licenses are required for such things as outdoor advertising, liquor handling, real estate brokering, electrical contracting, automobile dealerships and junk yards, lumber sales, etc. It is recommended that the prospective businessperson make thorough inquiries to the appropriate municipal and state authorities.
2. Choosing Your Form of Business Organization - There are many advantages and disadvantages to the four (4) major forms of business organization -- Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC). You would be wise to consult an attorney for legal advice. For the name of an attorney call:

NH Bar Association

112 Pleasant St
Concord, NH 03301-2947
(603) 224-6942
Fax: (603) 224-2910
NH Bar Association


Complaints
Consumer complaints may be filed with:
NH Consumer Protection & AntiTrust Bureau

33 Capitol St
Concord, NH 03301-6397
(603) 271-3641
NH Consumer Protection & AntiTrust

The Federal Trade Commission is a federal agency which deals with consumer protection matters on a national level or when interstate commerce is involved.
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20580-0002
1-877-FTC-HELP or 1-877-382-4357 (toll-free)
TDD: 1-202-326-2502
Federal Trade Commission