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New York does not hand you one license when you form an LLC. The Department of State files the entity. Licenses, permits and tax accounts come from other agencies, and the state sends you to one portal to sort them out.
Where do you find which licenses you need?
New York Business Express is the state's guide to business and professional requirements. Its Business Wizard builds a custom checklist, so you answer questions about your business and it lists what applies. The site also has sections to renew licenses and permits and to manage your business information.
The site's top requests show what most people look for: Authority to Collect Sales Tax (DTF-17), Registration for Unemployment Insurance (NYS 100), and the Articles of Organization for a domestic LLC (DOS 1336). Our New York LLC guide covers the formation filing.
Who must register for sales tax?
Everyone who sells taxable tangible personal property or taxable services. The Tax Department's registration page says to register through Business Express before beginning business. Selling from your home, selling as a temporary vendor, or selling only once a year all count.
You apply for a sales tax Certificate of Authority. Have these ready:
- A NY.gov Business account. An Individual NY.gov account does not replace it.
- The application checklist.
- Form DTF-17.1, the Business Contact and Responsible Person Questionnaire.
- The instructions for the Certificate of Authority application.
What tips does the state give?
Save your username and password, print the confirmation page at the end, and watch the email on your Business account for status updates. The Tax Department also suggests adding Tax Online Services to the same account, because you need it to file sales tax returns online.
What about the EIN?
Get your federal EIN before you register for state accounts. Our EIN guide shows the steps. The state forms ask for responsible person details, so decide who that is first.
Where do you check a license?
We did not read a New York license verification tool, so we do not link one. To confirm an entity, use the New York business search guide. Our state tax ID lookup page explains what tax numbers are public.
What about trade names?
An LLC that wants to trade under another name files an assumed name with the Department of State. See the New York DBA page.
What this page does not cover
We quote no fee for the Certificate of Authority, because the pages we read do not state one. Industry licenses, professional licenses and city permits are outside our sources. This is general information, not legal advice.