Starting a business in Vermont

Starting a business in Vermont can and should be easier than you think. You file simple forms with the VT Secretary of State, and your business is formed! Obviously there’s a few more things than that, but if you’d like to start your own business yourself, you will find it easy to hire us as your registered agent and you’ll find all the forms you could file to start a business in Vermont, along with great filing instructions on the quickest and cheapest ways to start your business in Vermont.

What’s the actual process to start a business in Vermont?

1. You file articles of incorporation for a Vermont corporation or articles of organization for a Vermont LLC with the VT Corporations Commission
2. You obtain a federal tax ID number (FEIN or EIN) with the IRS after you have confirmation and filed articles from the State of Vermont showing your approved Vermont business.
3. Opening a business banking account under your new Vermont business name should be easy with these two items.
4. If you’re going to have employees or need to withhold sales tax, you will probably need to register with the VT Department of Taxes. We provide all these links in your online account.
5. If your business trade requires a license, you’ll have to apply for a license with the Vermont licensing board. (Most businesses don’t.) But if you do, these quick links and contact details are in your online account.
6. Some local cities or counties have a general license, but most don’t.
7. You obtain a local trade license if the city or county you’re going to be working in requires it.
8. If you’re going to have an office or shop you might need an approval from the city zoning for your type of business in that location.
9. If you get overwhelmed, just get your business pulling in money and worry about regulations later.

If you want a corporation, you file Vermont Articles of Incorporation:

To form a Vermont corporation, you file Vermont articles of incorporation. The Vermont articles of incorporation cost $75 with the Vermont SOS Corporations Division. We custom draft your Vermont articles of incorporation when you hire Northwest to start your Vermont business. The basic requirements of Vermont corporations are:

• Name needs corporate ending such as Inc, corporation, or incorporated
• A corporate purpose
• The number of shares you would like to authorize
• The classes of shares
• A principal address
• Your corporation's fiscal year end
• The names and addresses of the Vermont corporation directors
• The effective date of incorporation
• The name, address, and signature of the Vermont incorporator
• The Vermont corporations registered agent and office

Vermont requires original signatures on filings. The stamped form will be mailed to the address on the envelope you should include when filing.

If you want a LLC, you file Vermont Articles of Organization:

To form a Vermont LLC, you file Vermont articles of organization. The basic requirements of Vermont LLC filings are:

• The business name must have a limited liability company ending or variation of it such as LLC, L.L.C.
• The Vermont business name must be different than already registered Vermont businesses.
• The duration of the Vermont LLC, (usually perpetual.)
• Vermont limited liability companies must state a purpose.
• The Vermont registered agent and the physical address.
• The names and addresses of the initial member(s), and organizer, if any.
• If the VT limited liability company is to be managed by one or more managers, you must list the names and addresses of the VT LLC managers.
• Someone must sign as the VT LLC organizer.
• Name, address and phone number of the person that prepared the form

Vermont does require original signatures on filings. If you include two copies of the articles and a self addressed stamped envelope when filing, the Vermont SOS will send one copy back to you.

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? You can save some money:

If you want to start a business in Vermont yourself, you can just hire us as your Vermont registered agent, and you'll instantly have the Vermont LLC or corporation forms to file along with filing instructions on the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way to incorporate a Vermont corporation or form a Vermont LLC. You'll get the ongoing support of our online tools, reminders and the support of a professional Vermont statutory agent service.