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Review the most common questions asked when starting a new business and learn what the answers are below.

12 FAQs

If you are doing business under any name but your own, you are required to register with the Secretary of State. This requirement enables people to identify who is operating a particular business. For information on how to register your name, visit the Secretary of State's website at www.cyberdriveillinois.com, for an index of forms. You can also call 800-252-8980. The Illinois Secretary of State's office is located at 213 State Capitol, Springfield, IL 62706.

Registering your business name is not the same as securing a trademark for your business name. A trademark is a form of intellectual property that provides you with rights about how your business name may be used. Trademarks may also be obtained for specific words, phrases, logos, symbols, designs, images or a combination of these elements.

Similar to registering your business name, you may conduct a trademark search to learn if your business name has been trademarked by someone else.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office, also referred to as USPTO, offers a free screening tool within a Trademark Electronic Business Center to assist with determining if your business name has already been trademarked.

A trademark is denoted by the trademark symbol, which is TM, or alternatively by the federal registration symbol, which is , if an actual registration filing has been approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

A Business tax I.D., also referred to as a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), is issued by the Internal Revenue Service for the purpose of identifying employers. If you have employees, you will need an EIN. EIN's are not issued by the State. Many small businesses obtain a tax I.D. for use in purchasing merchandise and supplies at wholesale prices.

Here is more information about obtaining an EIN, or you can refer to IRS publication: Starting a Business & Keeping Records, (page 3).

There are several methods to easily obtain an EIN, you may either apply by mail or phone using Form SS-4, or you may be eligible to apply online.
The IRS provides online access to most IRS forms, including forms and publications for small business. You may also call your local IRS office (refer to your phone book) or contact your CPA or tax preparer's office.

There are many ways to finance both the start-up and growth of your business. For start-ups, the most common funding sources include personal credit, family and friends. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also offers various loan products whereby a lender provides the actual loan to the borrower and the SBA guarantees a portion of the loan (between 50%-90% depending on the program) acting much like a co-signer. This helps lenders be more comfortable with a loan that they might otherwise not approve, such as a loan for a start up, or a borrower that has less collateral than a bank requires.

There are other types of business financing tools that facilitate access to capital under certain circumstances. For example, if you possess commercial real estate, you can borrow against the value of the property using a small business commercial loan. If you have been in business two or more years and have a history of accepting credit cards as a form of customer payment, you may be eligible for raising capital against the value of those credit card revenues. This cash advance is satisfied by making payments as a percentage of future credit card sales. Investigate Merchant Cash Advance to learn more.

A further innovative approach suited to financing growth without giving up equity is to utilize a process called factoring. Factoring refers to the process of selling your accounts receivable invoices to a third party who then performs the function of collecting the invoice. Called factors, these agents can move quickly to get funds to a business for a fee as a means of providing financing for growth. Visit Factoring (finance) to learn more.

Business credit involves the strategic management of business charge and credit card services. Properly managed, these services can provide convenient access to working capital, robust online business tools and purchasing discounts that help to improve your businesses purchasing power, spending flexibility and expense control.

There are various types of charges and benefits associated with utilizing business credit tools including various annual percentage rate charges and other fees, as well as various reward programs, such as travel, shopping discounts, airline incentives, dining discounts, business supplies and more.

It is important to know what your options are so that you can select the most appropriate business credit tools as well as savings and reward programs.

Obtaining a license to operate a business depends on the type of business as well as the location of the business. To learn if your business requires a license, visit the local town hall to learn what the requirements are. The State also requires that certain occupations and businesses be licensed. For information and an alphabetical listing of licensed occupations, visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/business_services/home.html.

There are several forms of business organizations: sole proprietor, partnership, corporations, and limited liability companies. Legal liability, income taxes, protection of assets, and ease of transfer are some of the issues affected by the form of business organization. In order to decide upon the best solution for you, you may view the Business Entity Matrix.

Generally, all the expenses you incur to start and operate your business are deductible. However, many are subject to various IRS rules. For example, start-up costs, vehicle expense, meals and entertainment, and use of a home office are subject to various guidelines. Start by reading IRS such as the Small Business Forms and Publications If you are a sole proprietor, the tax return is a Schedule C.

There is also a section of the IRS web site devoted to small businesses, or you may call them at 1-800-829-4933. A local CPA (certified public accountant) office is also typically a valuable resource on this topic.

It is very important to set up a good bookkeeping system immediately upon going into business. Depending on the size of your operation, a manual bookkeeping system, such as the Dome Simplified Monthly Bookkeeping System, or the One-Write Bookkeeping System, can be a productive approach. Both of these options are available at most office supply stores. One Write is also available in a computer-based format along with other options, such as Quick Books. It is highly recommended that you become familiar and stay in tune with the bookkeeping characteristics of your operation before you consider outsourcing this function to a local or Internet-based bookkeeping service.

It is wise for any business to possess a general business insurance policy, which includes liability and other standard coverage. Your place of business, if you own it, should be insured; and if you rent, you still should possess your own coverage. Don't rely on the landlord's insurance.

If you have one or more employees, you are required to have worker's compensation insurance. Depending on your industry -- for example, food service requires product liability insurance -- you may need additional types of insurance. If you already have insurance coverage, begin investigating coverage options and requirements with your present agent. Obtaining quotes from several agencies is also recommended, being sure to compare both coverage recommendations AND price. Other types of insurance include KEY PERSON INSURANCE, FLOOD INSURANCE, FIDELITY & SURETY BONDS, BOILER AND MACHINERY INSURANCE, PRODUCT LIABILITY, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE, OVERHEAD EXPENCE, DISABLILITY INSURANCE, AND LIFE INSURANCE.

The Bureau of Insurance, within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, regulates the insurance industry for solvency and consumer protection. It does so through its examining and licensing procedures of insurance companies, by licensing producers, by reviewing rates and coverage forms, conducting audits, and by sponsoring programs that enhance awareness of and compliance with State laws. The Bureau has statutory authority to enforce the State's laws and rules pertaining to insurance, and it initiates investigations and holds hearings concerning possible infractions of them. For information about licensed insurance companies, visit http://www.state.me.us/pfr/ins/ins_insurance_company.htm. To contact the Bureau, offices are located at Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance, #34 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0034. For mail service, write to the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance, 124 Northern Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345, or call (207) 624-8475, Toll Free (800) 300-5000 (in state), or Fax (207) 624-8599. For a staff e-mail list, visit www.state.me.us/pfr/ins/ins_dir.htm.

The U.S. Department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that oversees workplace safety. All employers are required to provide a safe and healthy workplace and are subject to safety and health inspections by OSHA without prior notice. Employers with more than ten (10) employees are required to maintain a record of injuries on the OSHA 200 form, which must be made available for inspection for a period of five years. For more information goto www.state.il.us/Agency/idol/ or www.osha.gov, which provides specific links to a variety of regulations and compliance information., which provides specific links to a variety of regulations and compliance information.

Franchising is a business model that involves purchasing a license to operate a specific, established venture that typically includes using well-known trademarks, signage, products, software and a pre-proven business system to support your ultimate business success. There are advantages and disadvantages between choosing to launch your own business idea and buying into an established franchise. Visit Small Business Franchise Opportunities to learn more.

Use no-cost online service to create compelling sales and marketing online video presentations. Easy-to-use, self-service authoring tool lets you combine slides, images, video, surveys, documents and voice to produce effective business communications.

BUZGate.org is an award-winning entrepreneurial education and resource community serving small and medium-sized businesses. Content promotes awareness and access to free government and nonprofit assistance programs and select business-to-business products and services tailored to driving venture startup, growth and profitability.