How to Register a New Business With the State of Ohio

By Nicholas Katers

Overview

New businesses in cities like Akron, Cincinnati and Cleveland have to register with the state of Ohio before opening their doors. The registration process goes beyond informing the Ohio Secretary of State about your company's name and products. Every business owner must think about unemployment insurance, payroll taxes and articles of incorporation before serving a single customer. Your business can get started in a matter of days by working today with the Secretary of State, the Department of Taxation and other agencies in Ohio.

How to Register a New Business With the State of Ohio

Step 1

Register your company's name with the Ohio Secretary of State online. The Secretary of State's website has a search tool for business names in Ohio to keep new ventures from infringing on trademarks and copyrights.
Step 2

Fill out the articles of incorporation with your company's officers before registering with the state of Ohio. The Secretary of State offers a template for articles of incorporation that must be filled out before incorporated businesses can get started.

Step 3

Protect your employees from injuries on the job by filing for workers' compensation coverage through the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Submit your forms well in advance of opening your business to avoid application delays that will keep your doors closed.
Step 4

Acquire paperwork from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to start contributing to the state's unemployment compensation program. Every business in Ohio must start an unemployment compensation tax account through the department for the benefit of laid-off or furloughed workers.
Step 5

Contact the Ohio Department of Taxation regarding state payroll and sales taxes for your business. A registered business will need to deduct state income taxes from each paycheck to avoid legal problems. Your business may be able to deduct sales tax on your state tax return if you have conducted work for the state.
Step 6

Complete licensing requirements through the appropriate state agency if your business works in a specialized niche. For example, private schools have to certify teachers and other professionals through the Department of Education.
Step 7

Report permanent, part-time and temporary staff in your new business to the Ohio New Hire Reporting Center. Collect contact information, wage details and other data to keep the state of Ohio updated on personnel changes.

Skill: Moderately Easy
Tip: Search for inexpensive commercial real estate for your business through the Ohio Department of Development. This agency maintains a list of empty lots and existing properties that are helpful to entrepreneurs who are flexible about their business locations.
Warning:
Secure city business permits, zoning variances and other licenses issued at the local level as you register with the state of Ohio. A business that focuses entirely on the state registration process will forget to receive health inspections, property reviews and proper permits from city agencies.

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