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Business Start-up Requirements and Contacts
The following requirements are necessary for operation of most businesses.
Certain types of business may be required to meet additional requirements.
BUSINESS LICENSE (TN BUSINESS TAX)
All businesses must register with their County Clerk within 20 days after beginning business, and pay the filing fee or business license fee. The filing fee is paid to the County Clerk or City Clerk. At this time, the clerk will assign the business a classification and gross receipts tax rate. Thereafter, the business pays the annual filing fee with the annual payment of the gross receipts tax.
Nashville/Davidson County Clerk
Riverview Business Center II
523 Mainstream Drive
Nashville, TN 37228
Metro Business Tax Division
615-862-6254
www.nashville.gov/cclerk
IRS IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
All businesses need an IRS identification number. Obtain a Form SS-4 (application for Employer Identification Number) from:
Internal Revenue Service
801 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
615-250-5656
www.irs.ustreas.gov
TENNESSEE EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
You must obtain a TN Employer Identification Number if (1) you are liable under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act; (2) the business has a total payroll of $1,500 or more in any quarter of the tax year; or (3) the business has at least one employee, full or part-time, on any day during 20 different weeks of the tax year. To obtain your number:
Tennessee Department of Labor
Employer Services
500 James Robertson Parkway
Davy Crockett Tower, Eighth Floor
Nashville, TN 37245-3555
615-741-2486
SALES TAX NUMBER
Any business liable for collection and payment of the sales and use tax is required to register with the Department of Revenue. Obtain a Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration from this department.
Tennessee Department of Revenue
500 Deaderick Street
Andrew Jackson State Office Building, Room 1200
Nashville, TN 37242-1099
615-253-0600 or 800-342-1003 (in state)
www.tennessee.gov/revenue
revenue@state.tn.us
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
If you have five or more full or part-time employees and are not exempt from the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act, you must obtain Workers' Compensation coverage for all eligible employees immediately. You can obtain this insurance from your local business insurance agent.
For more information, contact:
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division of Workers' Compensation
610 James Robertson Parkway
Andrew Johnson Building, Eighth Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0655
615-741-2395
www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/wcomp
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Every Tennessee employer is required to pay unemployment insurance. Contact:
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division of Employment Security
500 James Robertson Parkway
Davy Crockett Tower, Eighth Floor
Nashville, TN 37245-3555
615-741-2386
SOCIAL SECURITY (FICA)
If you have one or more employees, you must deduct the employees' part of Social Security taxes (FICA) from their wages and report these deductions, along with payment of your part of these taxes and all deductions of income taxes made from employees' wages on Form 941. Each employee must fill out a form W-4. You can obtain these forms from the IRS.
Internal Revenue Service
801 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
615-259-5656 or
Free Federal Tax Assistance: 800-829-1040
Free Federal Tax Forms or Publications: 800-829-3676
www.irs.ustreas.gov
CORPORATE CHARTER APPLICATION
To apply for incorporation of your business, contact:
Tennessee Secretary of State
312 Eighth Ave. North
William Snodgrass Building, Sixth Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-3795
615-741-2286
www.state.tn.us/sos
ZONING AND CODE REQUIREMENTS
The Metropolitan Codes Department regulates the use of property through the enforcement of Zoning Ordinances and Building Standards. It also causes the enforcement of other laws and ordinances through the permitting process. NOTE: Failure to obtain proper permits prior to opening a business could result in fines, or even the relocation of a business, if standards cannot be met at the current location.
Occupancy Permit
If you are opening a business or are changing the type of business that previously occupied the property you are considering, you will need a Use and Occupancy Permit prior to opening the business. Home-based businesses and childcare centers are required to have Use and Occupancy Permits.
Building Permit
Any business that plans to build or make renovations is required to have a Building Permit prior to construction and occupancy. If expansion plans are more than 5,000 square feet, a licensed architect must prepare your plan.
Sign Permit
Any new signs or alterations to existing signs displayed on the exterior of the building or on site, whether permanent or temporary, require a sign permit.
For information and needed permits, contact:
Metropolitan Codes Department, Zoning Division
Howard School Building, East Wing, Second Floor
700 Second Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37210
615-862-6500
www.nashville.gov/codes
INSPECTIONS
Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Department of Codes Administration
(Building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical/gas, housing and zoning enforcement)
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General information
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615-862-6500
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Director
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615-862-6600
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Assistant Director
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615-862-6521
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Plans Examination
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615-862-6540
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Zoning Appeals
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615-862-6530
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Inspections:
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Building
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615-862-6550
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Electrical
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615-862-6560
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Gas/Mechanical
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615-862-6570
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Property Standards
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615-862-6590
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Plumbing
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615-862-6570
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Fax Line
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615-862-6514
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State of Tennessee
Department of Commerce and Insurance
Division of Fire Prevention
www.state.tn.us/commerce
500 James Robertson Parkway
Davy Crockett Tower, Third Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0565
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Fire Marshal's Office
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615-741-2981
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Electrical Inspections
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615-741-7170
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Codes Enforcement
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615-741-7190
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Permits & Licensing
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615-741-1322
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Bomb and Arson Prevention
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615-741-3030
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