Business requirements
SBA’s Business Guide lists the requirements needed to start, grow, and expand your business. Since laws and taxes vary by state, here’s what you need to do before starting your business in our area.
Business name and registration
Register your business name with the county clerk where your business is located. If you are a corporation, you will also need to register with the Secretary of State.
Business licensing and zoning
Licenses are typically administered by a variety of state and local departments. It is important to consider zoning regulations when choosing a site for your business. Contact the local business license office where you plan to locate your business. You may not be permitted to conduct business out of your home or engage in industrial activity in a retail district.
Taxes
IRS Texas Taxpayer Assistance Center
1919 Smith St.
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 281-721-7021
Texas Department of Revenue Services
1919 N. Loop West, Suite 640
Houston, TX 77008
Phone: 713-426-8200
Health and safety
Texas Department of Labor
8701 S. Gessner Dr., Suite 1164
Houston, TX 77074
Phone: 713-339-5500
Texas OSHA
690 S. Loop 336 W., Suite 400
Conroe, TX 77304
Phone: 936-760-3800
State small business profiles
Need information on the local business landscape? SBA's Office of Advocacy has the latest demographic and statistics on local small business economic activity.
Local assistance
Need help? Get free business counseling in your area.SBA lending in our area
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Loan programs
Learn more about SBA's 7(a) loans, 504 loans, and microloans that you can use for your business. -
Local lenders
Download a list of participating lenders in our area. -
Lender Match
Describe your business needs and get matched with an SBA-backed lender in your area. -
Lending activity reports
View 7(a) and 504 lending activity reports from our district.
Additional local resources
- Greater Houston Partnership
- Texas Chambers of Commerce
- Houston Community College
- Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce
- BakerRipley
- Camara De Empresarios Latinos De Houston
- Brazoria Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity
- Asian Chamber of Commerce
- Woodlands Chamber of Commerce
- Fort Bend County Chamber of Commerce
- Houston Area Urban league
- Houston Veterans Chamber of Commerce
- Jewish Federation of Greater Houston
- Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity
- Houston Hispanic Chamber
- Impact HUB
- Fort Bend County Economic Opportunity & Development
- Port Houston
- Harris County Department of Education
- Vision Galveston
- Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston
- Ion District
- MBDA Business Center- Houston
Download our guide to SBA resources
Learn about the opportunities available for small businesses nationwide.