Steps to Starting a Business in Fort Wayne, Indiana -

There are important steps to starting a business in Fort Wayne Indiana.  The steps below give you a general idea about where to begin. For more information, download the topics desired from the 2010 Permits, Licenses and Taxes: Starting a Business.  The entire document is 85 pages.   It is not necessary to print the entire document, but you will need to tell your printer what pages to print or you will get all pages by default.  Click on the format desired:  
  
 WORD  (hyperlink - enabled) and  PDF (for those without WORD software). 
 
Both formats contain a link on page 3 and 7 to government forms and documents available in Spanish.

Para formularios, informaciõn y publicaciones disponible en español, por favor marque  aqui

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Starting a business can be confusing.  For this reason, there are multiple agencies in Fort Wayne that can assist you with all your business questions. Fort Wayne has no general business license.  The City of Fort Wayne's Community Development Division does not issue a general business license.  Resource agencies available in Fort Wayne to provide start-up business counseling are:

       Business Information:
       Allen County Public Library-Business Technology
       www.acpl.lib.in.us  (260) 421-1200

       Business Counseling:
       Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (CEE)
       www.niic.net  (260) 407-6442

         Women's Enterprise - a program of the Fort Wayne Women's Bureau
       www.womensenterprise.org  (260) 424-7977

       Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 
       (260) 481-0500

       SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives)
       www.score.org  (260) 422-2601
    

Most local Colleges, Universities, and Financial Institutions also offer information and general advice on starting or growing a business.

NOW YOU ARE READY TO BEGIN.  See Permits, Licenses and Taxes: Starting a Business  for contact information and details on each step. Double click each numbered heading for expanded information (WORD required).  If you do not have WORD software, click the PDF link at the beginning of this page for a PDF version.  This requires Acrobat Reader.  To download a free copy of Acrobat
Reader, click

1.  Create a Business Plan.

A business plan is like a roadmap; it shows you where you are in relation to where you want to be. Whether you believe in a business plan or not, starting a business involves many ideas that need to be documented and actions that need to be taken. Many businesses fail without a business plan, and furthermore, banks require one prior to being considered for a loan.  The above organizations can assist you with this process.

2.   Decide the legal structure of your business.

Various legal structures exist in the state of Indiana.  Your choice of legal structure will affect your income taxes and personal liability.  Most businesses start as a Sole Proprietorship or a Partnership and are legally the least complicated.  Corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLC's), Limited Partnerships (LP's), and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP's) must register with  the Secretary of State. Assistance on the structure that suits your business should be sought from one of the business assistance organizations or from an attorney or accountant.
       

3.   Choose and Register a Business/Company Name.

        The name you choose for your business is very important.  In addition to making sure that the name describes your business clearly, you need to ensure that the name is not already being used.  If you choose a name that is anything other than your personal name, state law requires you to file an assumed business name statement. The Certificate of Assumed Business Name for Allen County is available at the Allen County Recorder's Office.

Recorder's Office
Business Hours: 8 am-4:30 pm (M-F)
http://www.allencountyrecorder.us

Corporations, LLC's, LP's, and LLP's register their names with the Secretary of State when filing the required organizational documents (See #2).  If doing business under a name other than the one registered with the State, it is necessary to submit a State Certificate of Assumed Business Name (Form 30353).  It is also available at the Allen County Recorder's Office.

4.    Select a Site and Determine Zoning Requirements.

Determining zoning requirements prior to signing a lease or contract is imperative. You must check with the City to see if the type of business you plan to operate is legal in the desired location.  If operating from home, you must follow the requirements of the Home Based Business Regulations. You can obtain more information by contacting:   

       Department of Planning Services
       City/County Building 6th Floor, Room 630
       260-427-1129 or 260-449-7607

 5.    Obtain Federal and Indiana State ID/Retail Merchant Certificate.

Most new start-up businesses will need to get a Federal Identification Number (EIN) and an Indiana State Withholding number. If you do not plan to have employees, you may be able to use your social security number instead of an EIN.  For more information and/or to get an EIN, contact:      
               Internal Revenue Service
               1-800-829-3676 or 260-484-4194
               www.irs.gov

To get an Indiana State Withholding number and Retail Merchant Certificate (needed if you will sell any product or want to buy wholesale), contact:

       Indiana Dept. of Revenue
       260-436-5663 
       https://secure.in.gov/apps/dor/bt1/

6.    Apply For Any Needed Business License/Permit.

The City of Fort Wayne does not offer a general city business license.  But there may be  specific licenses required by the City of Fort Wayne, Allen County and/or through the the  State of Indiana.  To find out what licenses are needed, please contact:
    
               Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
               www.in.gov/pla/  or phone 317-232-2987. 

7.  Get Business Tax Information.

Several types of taxes may be levied on businesses including income tax, employment tax and other fees.  

     State Taxes:
     Department of Commerce
     1-800-280-0584
     http://www.in.gov/ai/taxes/

     County Taxes:
     Treasurer's Office
     City/County Building, Room 100
     260-449-7693 
     http://www.allencounty.us/government/tax-a-property/treasurers-office

8.   Get Business Insurance, Legal, Accounting and/or Other Professional Services Assistance.

9.   Obtain Financing.

Banks or private lenders will want to review your business plan before loans are approved.  If a bank turns down your application, the Community Development Corporation of Northeast Indiana (CDC) may be able to provide a loan.

Community Development Corporation
City-County Building
One Main Street, Room 840
Fort Wayne IN 46802
(260) 427-1127

10.  Apply for permits for new construction, fences, signs, and parking lots.  For information:

Department of Planning Services
1 Main Street, Room 630
Fort Wayne IN 46802
260-427-1129

11. If You Intend to Hire Employees: learn your responsibilities for payroll taxes, worker's compensation, Federal and State employee notices, and Indiana Occupational Safety and  Health Administration standards.

For more helps on starting a business, click here.

last updated: 03/16/2010