Regulatory Requirements for Operating a Business in Perry County, Indiana

Legal Form of Business
Establish the business organization by forming a Sole Proprietorship, a Partnership, a Limited Liability Company or a Corporation

a)    Sole Proprietorship: A sole proprietorship is the least complex legal form of business. Sole proprietorships are not taxable entities in Indiana. Taxes are reported on individual tax returns.
b)    Partnerships: Partnerships are also non-taxable entities in Indiana. However, a partnership must file an informal tax return, Form IT-65, with the Indiana Department of Revenue. Each partner reports taxes on their individual tax returns.
c)    Limited Liability Company: a complex entity that combines the tax benefits of a partnership with the liability protection of a corporation. Filing is done through the Secretary of State.
d)    Corporations: Corporations are complicated legal forms of business. After a name has been selected for a corporation, it should be reserved with the Secretary of State, Corporations Division. The fee is $20, and the name will be held for 120 days. A corporation must also file Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State’s office. The filing fee is $26 for non-profit corporations and $90 for for-profit corporations. Out-of-state corporations and foreign corporations for-profit desiring to conduct business in Indiana, are required to file an Application for Admission with the Secretary of State.

Indiana Secretary of State, Corporations Division 317-232-6576

Name of Business
File an Assumed Business Name Certificate in the county recorder’s office if doing business in a name other than that of the sole proprietor, the partners or the names on the Articles of Incorporation if incorporated. A corporation must also file the assumed business name with the Secretary of State’s office.

Perry County Recorder’s Office 2219 Payne Street Tell City 547-4261

Federal Taxpayer ID Numbers
When forming your business, one of the first steps is to apply for a Federal Taxpayer Identification Number. If you are in a trade or business, your taxpayer ID number is generally your Employer Identification Number (EIN) that must be shown on all of your business tax returns as well as on any tax related documents and statements. When filing income tax returns as an individual proprietor, partner in a partnership, or shareholder in a Subchapter “S” Corporation, you must place your Social Security Number (and EIN) on your personal income tax return (Form 1040), self-employment Schedule SD, and Declaration of Estimated Tax. If you have changed the form or organization, i.e., incorporated your individual proprietor business, formed a partnership, or vice versa, you must get a new Employer Identification Number. The same is true if there is a change in ownership of the business (such as the purchase or inheritance of an existing business): you cannot use the EIN of the former owner, even if he/she may be your spouse. A new number is required if you terminate an old partnership and begin a new one. Obtain an employer identification number from the Internal Revenue Service (Form SS-4). Certain sole proprietors may not need to obtain an EIN, but instead would use their Social Security Number. If a sole proprietor has a Keogh plan or must file an employment, excise, fiduciary or BATF tax return, an EIN is required.

Internal Revenue Service Indiana District Office 800-829-3676 or 317 226-5477 (for forms) 606-292-5467 (numbers assignment)

State Tax ID Number
In Indiana, your state Tax Identification Number is not the same as your Federal Tax ID Number. Register as an employer by filing Form BT-1 at the Indiana Department of Revenue office. Also, if you are a retailer, wholesale, or manufacturer, you must obtain a Retail Merchant’s Certificate. This is for the purpose of the collection of and/or the exemption from the Indiana Gross Retail Sales and Use Tax. File the State of Indiana Business Tax Application (Form BT-1) with the Indiana Department of Revenue to register for sales tax, withholding tax, corporate tax, and other non-property taxes; also the Retail Merchants Certificate.

Indiana Department of Revenue, Taxpayer Services 317-233-4016(Withholding) 317-233-401(Sales Tax) 317-232-218(Corporate Tax)

State Business Licenses
File state license applications with the appropriate agencies for business and occupations, as required. Information and assistance on state licenses required for certain businesses and occupations may be obtained from the:

State Information Center 800-457-8283; 317-233-0800

Local Business Licenses and Zoning Permits
At this time local business licenses are not required, however local city or county planning and zoning offices should be contacted for building permits and zoning approvals. Special approvals may also be needed for food or alcohol sales.

Zoning: Tell City, Hubert Voges, 547-7490; Perry County, Joe Hagedorn, 547-7121; Cannelton, Steve Seibert, 547-7919

State Permits and Construction Approvals
Obtain environmental and construction permits where applicable, before construction or occupancy of any facility. Assistance, information, agency contacts for regulatory compliance, and posting requirements may be obtained through the state information center.

State Information Center 800-457-8283 or 317-233-0800

State Unemployment Insurance
Register with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (Form DETS 1020) to establish a state unemployment insurance account.

Indiana Department of Workforce Development Unemployment Insurance Division 800-437-9135 or 317-232-7436

Worker’s Compensation Insurance
Obtain Worker’s Compensation insurance coverage for employees: 1) obtaining insurance from a private carrier, or 2) becoming qualified as a self-insured employer by the Worker’s Compensation Board.

Indiana Worker’s Compensation Board 800-824-2667 or 317-233-3910

Property Taxes
Owners of real property and tangible personal property are subject to tax. The local taxing unit sets the tax rate. For more information:

Perry County Treasurer 2219 Payne St. Tell City 547-4816