Starting a Business in Lauderhill

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Take your business dreams and make them a reality by following these steps:

The resources listed below explain basic steps that most business owners will need to take into consideration when starting a business.

Step 1 – Get Business Training and Expert Advice

There are several free counseling and training services available to not only help you get started, but to also expand your existing small business. Take advantage of training and counseling throughout your community. These services include everything from preparing a business plan, to getting financing, to help with starting/expanding/relocating a business. For more information contact our Economic Development Division.

Step 2 – Research and Create a Business Plan

Use these tools and resources to help prepare your business plan and become a successful business owner.

Small Business Administration’s Small Business Planner provides guides and resources on developing business plans and common-sense advice on starting a new business.

Log on to the SBA’s free online course on how to prepare a business plan.

Step 3 –Finance Your Business

Search for Grants and Loans to find financing for your small business. A few sites that may be helpful to check out:

Step 4 – Select a Business Name and Register Your Business

If your business will use any name other than the owner’s name or a properly registered corporate name, a fictitious name (also referred to as a D/B/A) must be registered with the state. Forms and additional information can be found at www.sunbiz.com or Florida Department of State, Fictitious Name Registration, P.O. Box 1300, Tallahassee, FL 32302, (850)245-6058.

Apply & Register your Business Now!

Step 5 – Determine the Legal Structure of Your Business

A choice that must be as a business owner is to determine the legal structure of your business. Your choice determines what kind of taxes your business must pay, who’s liable and what forms to complete. There are four main choices:

Sole Proprietorship
Partnership
Corporation
Limited Liability Company.

Contact the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, P.O. Box 6327, Tallahassee, FL 32314, (850) 245-6052, www.sunbiz.org. For S-corporation, call (800) 829-4933 or check online at www.irs.gov.

Step 6 – Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is used to identify a business entity. A business with business partnerships, employees, corporations, and other types of organizations, must obtain an EIN from the Internal Revenue Service. The EIN is form SS-4. Contact the IRS to obtain an EIN at 1-800-829-4933 or apply for an EIN Online now!

Step 7 – Register for State Taxes

The amount and type of taxes on your business, as well as other reporting requirements, will depend on the nature of the business, its legal organization, and whether there are employees. Major federal and state business taxes are listed below.

Federal Taxes – The Internal Revenues Service can provide information to employers on withholding and Social Security taxes, as well as federal unemployment taxes. Call (800) 829-4933 with questions and requests for assistance.

State Taxes – If your business will involve taxable transactions, you must register as a sales and use tax dealer before you begin conducting business. Form DR-1 must be completed. You are responsible for collecting sales tax at the time of each sale and remitting the tax each month to the Department of Revenue. Contact the DOR at (800)352-3671 or www.myflorida.com/dor.

Businesses with one or more employees may need to pay taxes to the state Unemployment Compensation Program. Employers pay a quarterly tax based on taxable payroll and benefits. Information and forms are available from the Department of Revenues website, www.myflorida.com/dor or, for more details, call Taxpayers Services at (800) 482-8293.

Now that you’ve registered your business name, established the legal structure of your business, and created a business plan, it’s time to start operating your business!

Step 8 –Select a Location

The City of Lauderhill has an Economic Development Business Concierge ready to assist you with site location. Once a site has been chosen it is important to see if your business is zoned to operate in the location selected. Our Economic Development Business Concierge can assist in conducting a preliminary zoning review. They will also assist you in obtaining a Zoning Confirmation from the city’s Planning and Zoning Department. Before signing a lease or purchasing a property for your business it is imperative that you confirm your business is zoned for the location.

Step 9 – Obtain Certificate of Use and Permits from the City of Lauderhill

Does your new location require construction work?

If the space you have selected requires a build-out to customize the new space to your business needs our Platinum Permitting service concierge can assist you throughout the permitting process.

The permitting process can run simultaneously with your Certificate of Use application review. This will allow for your contractors to proceed with the interior buildout of your location and for city staff to review your Certificate of Use application. When the permitting processes and the Certificate of Use process are worked on at the same time it helps to expedite the process.

In order to operate your business in the City of Lauderhill, all businesses are required to have a city issued Certificate of Use. The City of Lauderhill provides you with an array of business concierge services that include; a 5-7 business day application processing time, a dedicated point person, revision assistance, quick response and follow up.

To apply for your Commercial Certificate of Use or Home-Based Certificate of Use you can download the application online or pick one up at City Hall today.