Arizona Western College

Small Business Development Center

Getting Into Business Checklist

The Essential Items to BeginAny Sized Business Enterprise

Determine the type of business organization

1. Sole-Proprietorship 2. Partnership (Contract - formal or informal)3. 'C' Corporation4. 'S' Corporation5. LLC (Limited Liability Company)

Trade Name (or d/b/a)

1. Research Trade Name (availability & appropriate)2. Select Trade Name3. Register Trade Name4. AZ Corporation Commission5. AZ Licensing Information

Apply for all tax numbers

1. Federal EIN (apply online @ irs.gov) 2. State and local sales tax (research online @ azdor.gov)3. Federal Withholding4. State Withholding5. State Compensation Fund6. State Unemployment

Tax Calendar for Small Businesses and Self-Employed (Publication 1518)

Apply for all business licenses and permits

1. City Occupational (Home Based Business) (928) 373-50742. Yuma County Health Department @ (928) 317-4550 3. City & County Building Code @ (928) 817-5000 4. Fire & Safety @ (928) 726-7737

Open Business Bank Account

1. Commercial 2. Reserves 3. Savings 4. Payroll 5. Quarterlies6. Merchant Account 7. Owners Draw

Establish Employee Pay Records

1. Employee files2. E-Verify3. I-9 Forms4. W-25. Payroll Forms6. Workers' Compensation (State Compensation Fund)

Establish Employee Benefit Plan

1. IRS 125 (Cafeteria Plan)2. Vacation 3. Sick Leave4. Investment5. Insurance6. Employee Handbook

Selecting Employees

1. Employment applications2. E-Verify3. Check references4. Training5. Formulate Job Descriptions6. Employee Handbook

Arrange for Business Insurance

1. Workers' Compensation2. Fire3. Premise Liability4. Errors and Omissions (E&O)5. Vehicle (Personal Use vs. Business Use)

Complete Utility Applications and Make Deposits

1. Telephone2. Water3. Gas4. Electric5. Trash6. Recycle

Order Stationary and Office Equipment

1. Business Journal2. Daily Sales Records3. Sales Tickets4. Invoices5. Receipts

Plan Promotional Material

1. Signs2. Advertising3. Promotional Items4. Press Releases5. Website6. Mailing List

Prepare or Review Capital Investment Projections

Evaluating Your Business Plan

Small Business Online Resources

SBA Small Business Planner

The Center For Veterans Enterprise Web Portal

RECAP

1) What do I need and want out of life? 2) How can my company help me accomplish that? 3) What would such a company look like? 4) What would it take to get there?

Thank You for Sharing Your Dream!

“What are you most afraid your competition will do to you?”

Small Business Development Center

Sandra HernandezBusiness Analyst(928) 317-6151Se Habla Españolsandra.hernandez@azwestern.edu

Alan PruittBusiness Analyst(928) 317-6151alan.pruitt@azwestern.edu