How to Get a Business License in Philadelphia
- 1). Satisfy the prerequisites for applying for the Philadelphia Business Privilege License. The prerequisites include obtaining a Pennsylvania State Sales and Use Tax number if required by the commonwealth, obtaining a federal employer identification number, referred to as an EIN, unless you are a sole proprietorship using the owner's social security number to identify the business and obtaining a Philadelphia Business Privilege Tax Account Number from the city.
- 2). Obtain and complete the Philadelphia Business Privilege License application. The application can be obtained on the City of Philadelphia's website, by visiting the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections at the municipal services building in person or by calling the department. The application will instruct the filer to disclose basic information about the applying business such as name, address and contact information, legal entity formation, the formation date of the business, the primary function of the business, the partners or owners of the business and contact information for the agent filing for the license on behalf of the business.
- 3). Submit your license application and pay the required processing fee. You may submit the license application to the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections on-line, in person, or through the mail. The mailing address for the Department is as follows:
Department of Licenses and Inspections
License Issuance Unit - Concourse
1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1687
The fee current required filing fee is $300. If you are submitting your application by mail or in person, include a check or money order made payable to the "Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections". If you are filing on-line, you may pay the fee on-line as well by using a credit or debit card.
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