Steps and Information to Start a Small Business
The following is a list of agencies and general information that should be of help when starting a new business in Wichita Falls, Texas.  Depending on the type of business enterprise you are considering opening, there may be specific regulatory requirements. To ease this process, we are here to help.
 

1. Make an appointment with our office:

• We will provide you with a detailed check list to help start you business.

• Call 940-397-4373 to make your first appointment with one of our experienced counselors.
   

2.  Decide on the legal structure of the business:
 

• Sole Proprietorship

• Partnership

• Corporation

3.  Contact the appropriate local/state/federal agencies to register the business:
 

• DBA forms are available at our office (click on the map link for directions)

• Forms should be notarized and taken to the County Clerk’s Office– 900 7^th St, Room 250 (940)-766-8144
   

4.  Contact local city officials for building codes, permits and licenses:
 

• We will direct you to the appropriate agency to fit your business’s needs.
   

5.  To determine appropriate state taxes to be collected, obtain a state sales tax permit, or obtain information on franchise tax, contact:
 

• State Comptroller of Public Accounts – (800) 252-5555. 

• Wichita Falls Comptroller of Public Accounts – 925 Lamar, Suite 1900 761-4141.
   

6.  Contact the Texas Workforce Commission and Department of Insurance for unemployment tax information if the business will be hiring personnel:
 

• Texas Workforce Commission – 1401 Holliday, Suite 324  or  (940) 767-0882.

7.  Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to obtain a taxpayer identification number.  Application for this number is made on Federal Form SS-4, which may be obtained from the IRS:
 

• State Internal Revenue Service Office – (800) 829-1040 or http://www.irs.gov/.
   

• Wichita Falls Internal Revenue Service Office – 4309 Jacksboro Hwy.
   

8.  Other important agencies or general information:
 

• To obtain licenses for liquor stores, lounges, bars, sales, transportation or  storage of liquor:
  
  Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Auditing and Enforcement Divisions – 624 Indiana, Suite 300 or (940) 322-8606.
   

• To obtain fire arms license:
  
  Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Auditing and Enforcement Divisions – 624 Indiana, Suite 300 or (940) 322-8606.
  
  Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) – (210) 805-2777
   

• There are specific regulations regarding safety in the workplace, and certain posters that must be displayed.  For more information contact:
  
  U.S. Department of Labor-OSHA – (800) 356-4674.
  
  U.S. Department of Labor-Wage & Hour & Public Contracts Division – 1000 Lamar, Suite 302 or (940) 766-4081.
   

• A solicitation permit is required if the business will be selling door-to-door or by telephone:
  
  Wichita Falls City Clerk – 1300 7^th Street or (940) 761-7409
   

• To turn on/turn off water, sewer, and garbage services in Wichita Falls, contact:
  
  Turn On/Turn Off – 1300 7^th Street or (940) 761-7414.
   

• To obtain Day Care Licensing:
  
  Protective & Regulatory Services – 3910 Jacksboro Hwy.- (940) 767-0187
   

• To obtain a patent or trademark, contact:
  
  U.S. Patent & Trademark Office – (800) 786-9199.
   

• To obtain a copyright:
   

  Library of Congress – (202) 707-5000  
   

• To obtain a credit report:
   

o       Credit Bureau of North Texas – 2101-A Kemp, Wichita Falls, Texas 76309 or (940) 723-0063.  Report Fee: $9.00.
 

o       Experian-National Consumer Assistance Center – P.O. Box 949, Allen, Texas 75013-0949 or (888) 397-3742.  They will provide one free report each year.
 

o       Equifax-Equifax Information Services Center – P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, Georgia 30374 or (800) 685-1111.  Report Fee: $8.00 (Free in some states).
 

o       TransUnion Corp.-National Consumer Disclosure Center – P.O. Box 7000, North Olmstead, Ohio 44070 or (800) 680-7289.  Report Fee: $8.00.  
 

If you have been denied credit or employment in the past 30 days, you can get a complimentary copy of your credit report from the credit bureau that was used in denial.
 

• To obtain information about cosmetology:
   

o       Texas Cosmetology Commission – (800) 943 8922

• To obtain information regarding the real estate industry:
   

o        Real Estate Commission – (800) 250-8732
 

9.  Other Organizations that may be helpful:
 

o         SBA Answer Desk – (800) 827-5722.
 

o         Better Business Bureau of North Central Texas – 4245 Kemp Blvd., Suite 900, Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 or (940) 691-1172.
 

o         Board of Commerce & Industry Wichita Falls – 218 Hamilton Bldg., Wichita Falls, Texas 76301 or (940) 723-2741.