The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office would like to assist you in starting your new business. What may seem like a daunting task may be accomplished with relative ease, once you have chosen the type of business which best fits your needs. It is important to consider all of the possibilities when choosing your business structure.
Business may be conducted in Mississippi using many different types of entities, which may require registration with the Secretary of State. Each has advantages and disadvantages. When choosing how you want to operate your business, it is important to keep in mind:
We recommend consulting with an attorney or accountant to determine the appropriate type of entity before setting up your business.
Now that you are starting your business, you will want to begin writing your business plan. A business plan is just a roadmap defining your business and identifying your goals, and how you will achieve them. There are basic components every good plan should include, and resources available to help you craft a business plan.
For more information and assistance with writing a business plan, contact the Mississippi Small Business Development Center.
The old saying “it takes money to make money” holds true for any new business venture. How you finance your business can affect your ability to hire staff, buy goods, acquire licenses, expand and grow.
For more information on business financing contact the Mississippi Small Business Development Center.
Crowdfunding is a way for businesses to raise money by soliciting and accepting small monetary amounts from a large number of people.
Equity Crowdfunding is now available in Mississippi through administrative rules recently adopted by our Agency.
For more information on Invest Mississippi Crowdfunding, visit https://www.sos.ms.gov/crowdfunding. Or you may contact our Office.
*The Secretary of State does not recommend any securities and does not confirm the accuracy or determine the adequacy of a crowdfunding offering. A filing of an offering with the Secretary of State under this Rule does not mean the Secretary of State has passed on the merits of the offering.
Regardless of the State you open or business, or the entity you choose, please contact our Agency..
For assistance with Mississippi state business requirements contact:
Most new businesses in Mississippi are required to register with the Secretary of State’s Office. To see if your business is required to register, contact:
You may be required to apply for permits and licenses from your local government (e.g., city or county). Different locations have different requirements. The following are common types of local permits and licenses.
From your city or county clerk or revenue department. Many jurisdictions require a trader's license or tax certificate in order to operate.
From your city or county building and planning department. This permit is generally required if you are constructing or modifying your place of business.
From your city or county health department.
From your city or county building and planning development department. This permit is required for home-based business in some jurisdictions.
From your city or county building and planning department. Some jurisdictions require a permit before you can erect a sign for your business.
From your city or county police or fire department. If you have installed a burglar or fire alarm, you will likely need an alarm permit.
From your city or county building and planning department. This permit is generally required if you are developing land for specific commercial use.
Any business selling alcohol and or tobacco must obtain both city and state permits.
The Federal Employer ID Number (EIN) is used to report withholding taxes. Almost all businesses are required to obtain one.
Apply for a Federal Tax ID number:
NOTICE:
Reporting of Beneficial Ownership Information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
Beginning January 1, 2024, certain types of corporations, limited liability companies, and other similar
entities created in or registered to do business in the United States must report information about their
beneficial owners—the persons who ultimately own or control the company—to the Department of the Treasury’s
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Additional information about the reporting requirements,
including answers to questions such as “is my company required to report beneficial ownership information to
FinCEN,” “who is a beneficial owner,” and “when do I need to report my company’s beneficial ownership information”
is available on FinCEN’s beneficial ownership information webpage, FinCEN.gov/BOI.
You can also subscribe to FinCEN Updates
for future guidance documents.
Businesses operating in Mississippi are required to register for one or more tax-specific identification numbers, licenses or permits, including income tax withholding, sales and use tax (seller's permit), and unemployment insurance tax.
Some forms will ask for an NAICS number, which is a number associated with the type of business you have so that it can be categorized appropriately. The NAICS Association website has a list of NAICS numbers for reference.
Contact the Mississippi Department of Revenue for more information about business registration and your tax obligations.
Stay protected as a business owner, you will want to consider obtaining business insurance to protect your business and yourself.
Though business insurance is an added expense, in many cases, it is also tax deductible. There are many different types of insurance and the level of coverage needed may depend on many aspects of your business. Please visit the Small Business Administration website for more information.
In most states, you must fill out Workers Compensation Insurance forms. If your business does not fall into the category requiring this insurance, you may still need to attest you do not provide WCI. Please visit or contact the Workers Compensation Commission to determine what forms are required for your business. For more information, please contact Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission.
After setting up your business entity, you may have additional required registrations with other governmental agencies.
Companies engaging in certain types of business may be required to file additional registrations, pass examinations or provide certifications to other agencies or boards of the State of Mississippi. If you believe your business may have such a requirement, please contact the appropriate agency or visit their website. For your convenience, some of the state agencies or boards are listed below.
A complete list of Mississippi Agencies can be found here
