About OpenMyBiz by State
Free, state-by-state checklists for opening a business, with the official link for every step.
Why this exists
Opening a business, or a new location in another state, means dealing with a dozen agencies: the Secretary of State, the tax department, unemployment insurance, workers' comp, new hire reporting, licensing boards, the health department, and the city. Each one has its own website, its own vocabulary and its own deadlines. Most guides online are long articles, and many are years out of date.
OpenMyBiz by State turns all of that into a checklist. Pick your state and your type of business, and you get the steps in order, each one linked to the official page where you actually do it.
Who built it
OpenMyBiz by State was built by Megan, a health care operations executive. She has set up HR, payroll, licensing, credentialing and compliance for businesses with locations in several states, and she built this to be the tool she wished she'd had each time she opened in a new one.
What's covered
- All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Forming an LLC or corporation, or registering an existing company in a new state
- State tax accounts, sales tax and seller's permits, payroll, unemployment insurance, paid leave programs and workers' comp
- Industry licenses for about 30 kinds of businesses, from salons and contractors to restaurants, child care and health care practices
- Recurring deadlines to keep the business in good standing
How the information is kept accurate
- Official sources first. Every step links to a government or official page wherever one exists. When the best available source isn't official, the link says "(summary)".
- No guessing. If a fee or rule couldn't be confirmed, the site says "See state site" instead of a number.
- Flags for thin spots. States and industries with details still being checked are marked "Some details for this state are still being verified."
- Dated. Each state shows when it was last verified. Rates and limits are reviewed every year.
Rules change often. Always confirm on the linked official page before you file, and talk to an attorney or CPA about your situation. See the Terms of Use.
How the site stays free
The site may show ads and include referral links to services some business owners use, such as payroll or formation services. The free official link is always the main action on every step, and no partner can pay to change what the checklist says. See the Referral Disclosure.
Found something wrong?
If a link is broken or a rule has changed, email hello@openmybizbystate.com. Corrections are the most helpful thing you can send.