Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Washington, DC

1. 1

   Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)

   Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal

   Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Paper form, faxed or mailed

   Takes

   Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

2. 2

   Corporate registration and basic business license

   DC Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionWashington, DC

   Register the company, then get the basic business license for the activity.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   DLCP doesn't publish how long a Basic Business License takes; you need a processed FR-500 tax registration and a Clean Hands check before you can apply.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

3. 3

   DC tax registration

   DC Office of Tax and RevenueWashington, DC

   Register with the Office of Tax and Revenue on the FR-500. Every basic business license applicant must be registered and in good standing, and the license application checks the tax number for Clean Hands.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   The Office of Tax and Revenue may take up to 10 business days to process a new registration.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

4. 4

   Unemployment insurance employer registration

   DC Department of Employment Services, UI Tax DivisionWashington, DC

   Any business with employees working in DC registers online in the Employer Self-Service Portal, which also takes the wage reports and tax payments.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed online

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

5. 5

   Certificate of Occupancy

   DC Department of BuildingsWashington, DC

   Needed when a new owner or tenant takes over a space, even with the same use, and when the space is used for something new; a new use also needs building permits and final inspections. Applied for online in Certifi.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed on the agency's portal

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Washington, DC</strong></p><ol><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</li><li>Corporate registration and basic business license (DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection)</li><li>DC tax registration (DC Office of Tax and Revenue)</li><li>Unemployment insurance employer registration (DC Department of Employment Services, UI Tax Division)</li><li>Certificate of Occupancy (DC Department of Buildings)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/washington-dc/retail-store.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>Copy the code

More on opening in Washington, DC

• How much permits cost to open in Washington, DC
• How long permits take in Washington, DC
• Opening in Washington, DC as a foreign company
• Build-out and occupancy permits in Washington, DC
• Importing goods into Washington, DC
• Renewals and annual filings in Washington, DC

Questions people ask

• How do I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
• How long does it take to get an EIN?
• Does a foreign-owned single-member LLC have to file Form 5472?
• How do I become an importer of record in the US?
• How does a foreign owner get an ITIN?
• Does a single-member LLC with no employees need an EIN?

Other businesses in Washington, DC

• Milk tea and bubble tea shops
• Coffee shops
• Restaurants
• Hot pot restaurants
• Bakeries
• Dessert shops
• Grocery stores
• Cosmetics stores
• Toy stores
• Importers and online sellers
• Warehouses and 3PLs

Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.