- 1). Log on to the website of the city where you want to locate your business or call the City Clerk's office and see if a license is required for your type of business. If it is, find the link to download a business license application. If there is no on line link to download the application, go to the town hall, City Clerk's office or Tax office to pick up an application. The county you are in might also require a business license. Check with the County Tax Office to see if one is needed.
- 2). Fill out the business license application fully including business information, contact information and number of employees. A federal tax identification number is not required to obtain the license, but will be needed before you open if you have employees. You can apply for the federal ID number at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website or by calling 800-829-4933, by faxing form SS-4 to 859-669-5760 or by mailing the form in to the IRS.
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999 - 3). Mail the business license application back to the address on the form or bring it to the location where you picked it up. Include the license application fee with the form. In Colorado, business license fees are based on the type of business you are planning to run as well as the number of employees. If you mail it in, you will need to wait for the license to be sent to you, which can take a week or more. If you go to the office, you might receive the license right away.