Below you will find what you need to do to start-up and operate a business in Sitka, Alaska. Some of the documents are PDF files that require the free Adobe Reader. Click on the icon below to download the software.

Before you start:

To increase your chance for success, take the time up front to ask yourself some important personal and business questions.

• Take a business and/or self-assessment quiz. We have several available at the Sitka Business Resource Center (SBRC) or try this one:Business Success. (Word Document 68kb)
• Think about what you want for your life by creating a ‘Life Plan’: http://startupnation.com/pages/start/Step1.asp

Business Planning:

We recommend you prepare a written business plan, complete with financial statements.

• We often use this simple business plan narrative (available at our office or here). This instructional version of the narrative can help you write your own plan. The accompanying financial spreadsheets are also very easy to use.
• The SBRC has a variety of business plan templates and books on the subject. Some other online business planning templates can be found at: http://www.sitkaworks.org/sbrc/sbrc_resources.shtml
• The State of Alaska’s Small Business Assistance Center has business plan and financial templates at: http://commerce.state.ak.us/oed/smallbus/home.cfm
• For an online presentation on business planning, check out Business Plan Pro’s site at: http://paloalto.com/ps/bp/demo/sba/index.html

Legal Structures:

Decide whether you wish to operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation, etc.

• Talk to your accountant and/or attorney about the best way for you to organize your business.
• You can read a short but informative article, “Choosing the Best Ownership Structure for Your Business,” at: http://www.nolo.com/index.cfm. From this home page click on “Business & Human Resources,” then “Ownership Structure.” Click on “more” under the article’s first paragraph to read the whole piece.

Licensing:

• Call (907) 465-2534 to see if your chosen name is available, or go to the link below, click on the “Search Business Licenses” link and follow their instructions.
• Then, if you called, order an application, or go on line to the Division of Occupational Licensing, Business Licensing section at http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/home.htm and follow the link “Purchase or Renew a Business License Online” to purchase the license. We also have business license application forms available at the Sitka Business Resource Center. Use the NAICS Codes for Business Activity for the State of Alaska PDF document (203kb) to determine the code that best matches your
  business activity.

Determine licensing requirements specific to your business.

• Call (907) 465-4500 or go on line to the state Workforce Information page at: http://almis.labor.state.ak.us/. Scroll about half way down the page and in the left column, under “Occupational Information” click on “Licensed Occupations.”

Internal Revenue Service:

• Call 1-800-829-3676 (IRS Publications/Forms) or 1-800-829-1040 (link to IRS). Ask for the SS-4 form.
• Or download the EIN form in a PDF format: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf . This is the link for the instructions: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iss4.pdf
• Go to http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/businesses/index.html and in the left column, under “Business Topics,” click on the link “Employer ID Numbers” for information and links to required forms. From this section you may follow the link to file on line.

Talk to your accountant or bookkeeper, or contact the Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Education Service to determine potential tax obligations and filing requirements.

• Go on line to: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/businesses/index.html and click on “Employment Taxes” under “Business Topics” in the left column.
• Or call 1-800-829-3676 (IRS Publications/Forms) or 1-800-829-1040 (link to IRS)

Hiring Employees:

For a complete listing of Department of Labor information for employers go to http://labor.state.ak.us/employer/employer.htm

If hiring employees, register with the Employment Security Division, Alaska Department of Labor in order to obtain an unemployment insurance identification number.

Call toll free: (888) 448-2937, or go to  http://www.labor.state.ak.us/estax/home.htm and click on the FAQ's for TaxWeb link to learn more about the registration process.

Determine necessary compliance with the Workers' Compensation Act by contacting Workers' Compensation Division, Alaska Department of Labor.

• Call (907) 465-2790 or go to http://www.labor.state.ak.us/wc/wc.htm

Contact the Alaska Department of Labor Standards and Safety Division to determine compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

• Call (907) 465-4855 or go to http://labor.state.ak.us/lss/oshhome.htm

City Information:

A city business registration form and $25 sales tax deposit is required of anyone doing business or having a rental in the City and Borough of Sitka. Pick up the form at the Sitka Works/SBRC office or

• Call 747-1840 for information, stop by the City Sales Clerk's office, or print the form from this site: http://www.cityofsitka.com/dept/salestax/BusRegistration.pdf.

Research Zoning regulations.

• Either call the Planning Department at 747-1814, or stop in at the City Assessor's Office for zoning information, or go to Title 22: Zoning, of the City's ordinances, at www.ordlink.com/codes/sitka/.