LICENSE & PERMITS
Depending on the nature of your business, the city or state may require that your business maintain a specific license or permit. For example, restaurants must obtain specific permits to handle food. You cannot operate an engineering firm if you do not have a license. The same is true for liquor stores and talent companies. All businesses that sell “goods” must obtain a sales permit from the State comptroller. The sources below will help you in your search to determine if you are required to obtain or pay for any fees, taxes or permits. Although the State of Texas does not impose corporate or personal income taxes, some of the taxes for which an El Paso business owner could be responsible include:
STATE a. State Sales and Use Tax
b. State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
c. State Corporate Franchise Tax
FEDERAL d. Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
e. Social Security and Medicare Tax (FICA)
Requirements for a specific kind of business and for information about a home occupation license (home business) contact:
City License Bureau
City Hall, 5th Floor, Room 501
#2 Civic Center Plaza
El Paso, TX 79901
541-4566
For information about a food establishment permit, contact:
Consumer Health Protection
City-County Health District
222 South Campbell, Room 200
El Paso, TX 79901
543-3612
For information about permits for the sale of alcoholic beverages for an establishment, contact:
Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission
401 East Franklin Avenue, Suite 120
El Paso, TX 79901
834-5860
For information about issuance of permits for all those wishing to engage in the modification of any existing facility which may emit air contaminants into the air of this state, contact:
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
401 East Franklin Avenue, Suite 560
El Paso, TX 79901
State Sales and Use Tax
Businesses that sell products and some service businesses are required to collect State Sales and Use Tax. To obtain a State Sales Tax Permit, contact the following agency in person with picture identification and a Social Security card:
Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts
401 East Franklin Avenue, Suite 160
El Paso, TX 79901
834-5660
For assistance with tax forms, tax liability questions, permits, etc., call (800) 252-5555 or go to www.window.state.tx.us
b. State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Businesses that are going to hire employees must contact:
Texas Workforce Commission
Tax Department
1760 Airway Boulevard, Suite 201
El Paso, TX 79925
774-0091
c. State Corporate Franchise Tax
Corporate franchise tax information may be obtained from:
Comptroller of Public Accounts
Tax Assistance Section
Austin, TX 78774-0100
(512) 463-4600 or (800) 252-5555
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