So Excited!!! I Need No Business Licenses!
Business By Bigbearswife Updated 23 Jun 2010 , 3:33am by kger
So I just got am e-mail back from our Business License Inspector/Commissioner of the Revenue Office and our country does not require a business licenses. So i can make and sell whatever I want from my home and i can also sell at the market!! oo sorry I just got super excited! I still have to call the county Commissioner of Revenue to make sure I dont need anything but no licenses. Ok sorry I'll stop now
Where do you live!? I live in Pittsylvania County, VA.
I would gladly pay for one if I needed one, but just excited I dont have to deal with that. One less worry
Did you get your inspection yet? I didn't have to get a business license until I sell $5000 or more in one year, but I did have to go through the state health dept. for licensing and had to get a permit from zoning. Just check to make sure all your ducks are in a row before starting - oh - also want to check with your insurance provider - I needed a separate insurance policy for my business. (I'm in Albemarle Co. VA)
Congrats and have fun with it!!
bearswife...I don't subscribe to many blogs or emails, BUT, yours is so cute that I couldn't help myself! The cake biz will fit in perfectly!
Wait. A business license is not the same thing as the "licensing" we're always talking about on here. That licensing is your food service license and comes from either your Health Department or your State Dept of Agriculture. You don't need either of those?
Wait. A business license is not the same thing as the "licensing" we're always talking about on here. That licensing is your food service license and comes from either your Health Department or your State Dept of Agriculture. You don't need either of those?
I'm wondering the same thing. I've never heard of a "food service license" NOT being a requirement. I am under the impression that this is always needed?
Depends on the state. I don't know about VA, but in Ohio, you do not have to be licensed if you follow the labeling requirements under Ohio's cottage food industry laws.
bearswife...I don't subscribe to many blogs or emails, BUT, yours is so cute that I couldn't help myself! The cake biz will fit in perfectly!
Aww thanks
Wait. A business license is not the same thing as the "licensing" we're always talking about on here. That licensing is your food service license and comes from either your Health Department or your State Dept of Agriculture. You don't need either of those?
I know 
I dont know about the food service license yet, (im sure I need one I just dont need a business license for my catering or photography. They dont require anything for the actaul selling of the products
here in alberta i dont need any licensing (including food) to sell at the markets, btu thats the only place i can
Yes, that was what I was asking. Having the food inspection from and being licensed by the VA Dept. of Agriculture is a requirement for all food businesses in VA and is entirely separate from and different than having a business license through the county.
Wait. A business license is not the same thing as the "licensing" we're always talking about on here. That licensing is your food service license and comes from either your Health Department or your State Dept of Agriculture. You don't need either of those?
I know
I dont know about the food service license yet, (im sure I need one I just dont need a business license for my catering or photography. They dont require anything for the actaul selling of the products
Whoa, hold up! The state of VA is very strict when it comes to catering licenses. You can have an uninspected business for baking only as long as you only do non-perishables and label everything clearly that it came from an uninspected kitchen. As soon as you start catering, that's a different story and you need an inspection before you can sell food. The VA Department of Agriculture is where you should call to find out about getting an inspection, and you CANNOT do it from a home kitchen. You need a separate commercial kitchen for any kind of catering, as far as I know. You'll also need a business license, which is the least work to get of all of the inspections and licensing, to pay state sales tax, which you do need to collect and pay to the state. Someone told you the wrong information, but the state does require proper licensing and inspection for catering businesses..
Also, if you do sell food without a license and they find out, you'll be subject to back taxes and fines from the state. And I know of caterers who turn unlicensed caterers in for fun and profit, because they get a percentage of the amount the state collects in fines if they turn people in.
Yes, and in fact, my inspector told me that catering falls under a different catagory...not only do you need a commercial kitchen outside of your home, you also are inspected by the Dept. of Health, not Agriculture.
Edited to say: You might just double check on the info. you got...I found that when I was going through the licensing process not all of the people in the various departments I was dealing with knew all of the right information.
Congratulations! Make sure that you get set up with the VA dept of taxation! You have to pay taxes every month for the first year until they can figure out what your income is. You can do it online and it only takes about 15 minutes.
Yes, and in fact, my inspector told me that catering falls under a different catagory...not only do you need a commercial kitchen outside of your home, you also are inspected by the Dept. of Health, not Agriculture.
Edited to say: You might just double check on the info. you got...I found that when I was going through the licensing process not all of the people in the various departments I was dealing with knew all of the right information.
You got that right about the incorrect information! And yes, they do take food safety seriously here and are glad to shut people down if they're operating illegally. And they reward people who help them shut illegal businesses down, so watch out because it gives people an incentive to turn you in.
wow, you mean the state rewards them for telling on the other caterers??? Scary!
The state rewards them for "telling" on illegal businesses, not the other licensed caterers 
Ditto to all that constumeczar said. You really need to contact the Dept of Agric in Richmond and have them send you a packet outlining all you need to do to be able to bake and sell out of your home. Sales tax must be collected and paid each and every darn tooting month or you will get zapped with late fees 
You also need to decide if you want to be a sole propiertor or LLC. I choose LLC so I had to file with the State Corporation Commision to be legally recognized. THEN there's all the local stuff you must do as far as business licence, zoning laws. I called my County Treasurer's office for that laundry list of things to do. All the recordkeeping and paperwork is annoying but very necessary 
Dont you also need some sort of business license to be able to buy supplies wholesale? If you buy all your stuff at market prices it will cut into your profits.
Yes, you're right about that. And you can get a sales tax exemption for things that you buy to resell in the course of business, but you need a business license for that, too.
Dont you also need some sort of business license to be able to buy supplies wholesale? If you buy all your stuff at market prices it will cut into your profits.
No - you don't need the business license to get your EIN number that allows you to buy wholesale/tax free....you can get that number when you file your business with the state/fed for taxes. My accountant got all of this info. taken care of for me when I set up my LLC....I just know it doesn't take the local buisness license in order to get that number.
I called the county office and no food service license needed for selling for me
I live in Pittsylvania County too where are you? I live in Gretna, VA. I just got my license for my home bakery I dont know about catering but no you dont need anything from the county but you do need to be licensed by the Dept of Agriculture if you are doing a cake buiness as I said I dont know about catering but it is awesome to see someone on here that lives in my neck of the woods
Dont you also need some sort of business license to be able to buy supplies wholesale? If you buy all your stuff at market prices it will cut into your profits.
Yes, you're right about that. And you can get a sales tax exemption for things that you buy to resell in the course of business, but you need a business license for that, too.
In Pittsylvania County we dont need a business license to get our state tax number you just call or go online and fill out your form and then you get your number online and they will send you the necessary papers to fill out to pay your taxes each month. I just called I got all of mine done and I got my number over the phone.
I have a good friend in Roanoke Va. and you DO NOT need licensing from YOUR COUNTY , but you absolutely MUST have Licensing and inspection from the Dept. of Agriculture. They are 2 seperate entities and the county is just saying you don't need anything from THEM. You do need proper authorization from the STATE level.
Sorry to ruin your happy moment. I would just hate to see you get into trouble because you got the wrong info.
i know I need Licensing and inspection from the Dept. of Agriculture I was just having a happy moment of not needing a business license becasue that means that I can sell my crafts and photogrpahy along with my food after the inspection from the Dept. of Agriculture and I dont need a business license
uniquecreations can you please e-mail me at [email protected] i've got some questions for you
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