San Francisco's Business Registration and Payroll Tax requirements are prescribed by the
San Francisco Business and Tax Regulations Code section of the San Francisco Municipal Code. Click the highlighted link above to access the Code.
The Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector has compiled a helpful list of Local, State, and Federal resources available for small and large businesses. Some may can help you to determine the appropriate requirements to open your business, including licenses, permits, and trademarks. Many agencies listed here are available to aid small business owners and entrepreneurs with loans, business advice, information, and learning opportunities.
Please note that the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector and the City & County of San Francisco assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content outside of our website.
OPENING YOUR BUSINESS
CalGOLD
www.calgold.ca.gov
Look up nearly all required state and local business requirements, specific to your business type. Includes links to local agencies, regional Permit Assistance Centers.
California Secretary of State
www.ss.ca.gov/business/business.htm
Find information about Corporation, LLC, LLP filing. Searchable databases of California corporations and available names.
California Department of Consumer Affairs
www.dca.ca.gov
Oversees all state business licensing. Links to 36 licensing divisions.
Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.gov/bus_info/index.html
Request a Federal Employer Identification Number; obtain advice about Federal taxes for business, exempt or nonprofit organizations, and employee retirement plans.
California State Board of Equalization
www.boe.ca.gov
Information about applying for a Seller's or Resale Permit; sales and use taxes.
Office of the County Clerk
www.sfgov.org/countyclerk/fbnins.htm
Fictitious Business Name (FBN) registration information, including online access to current FBN registrations
San Francisco Office of the Assessor/Recorder
www.sfgov.org/assessor
Recording of property sales and changes to title deed; assessment of unsecured personal property (i.e. business equipment, boats).
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
www.uspto.gov
Features online patent and trademark applications, application status check, and searchable databases of trademarks.
Department of Building Inspection
www.sfgov.org/dbi
Permits for home alterations, remodeling, and construction.
RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES
U.S. Small Business Administration
www.sba.gov
Information and advice about many aspects of starting a business, including classes, resources, grants, and loans. SBA-Net features profiles of potential partners and clients. The SBA Resources List has extensive categorized links.
Mayor's Office of Community Development
www.sfgov.org/mocd
Grants and loans for small businesses, including the Community Development Block Grant Program.
Mayor's Office of Economic & Workforce Development
www.sfgov.org/moewd
Oversees activities and programs related to business attraction and retention, workforce training, development planning, and neighborhood commercial revitalization Lists available properties and incentives located in San Francisco Enterprise Zones. Administers the Seismic Safety Loan Program and other city business assistance programs.
Office of Labor Standards Enforcement
www.sfgov.org/olse
Enforces labor laws adopted by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and by San Francisco voters. Along with labor laws of specific application, OLSE enforces labor laws of general application, including the San Francisco Minimum Wage Ordinance, Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, and Health Care Security Ordinance.
Purchasing Department
www.sfgov.org/purchase
Selling and contracting with the City and County of San Francisco.
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
www.sfchamber.com
Networking, business development, and public policy events and information, as well as business directories.
California Department of Industrial Relations
www.dir.ca.gov
Information about wages, labor standards, workers' compensation, and occupational safety and health.
U.S. Copyright Office
www.loc.gov/copyright
Fees and information about copyrighting original artistic or literary works.
SCORE San Francisco
www.sfscore.com
Free counseling and seminars from experienced business executives.
Women's Initiative for Self-Employment
www.miceed.org/wise.htm
WISE offers business development help, access to loans, counseling, and education to support women in becoming business owners.
