Congratulations on deciding to open up shop in Cowtown! Whether you got your entrepreneurial spirit from watching entrepreneurs hustle around the Stockyards district or soak up some inspiration from Fort Worth’s burgeoning tech scene in the Alliance corridor, starting your new business venture is sure to be one of the most exciting achievements of your life.
But turning that awesome idea into a legal business requires following several bureaucratic steps at both the local and state levels. Don’t let the pile of paperwork intimidate you! When in doubt, divide your business formation up into these 5 simple phases, and you’ll know your startup is built on a strong foundation. Below is a guide to forming your business in Fort Worth.
Decide on Your Business Structure
Before you can officially register your business in Texas, you need to decide what kind of entity you will operate as. Will you be a Sole Proprietor, form a Partnership, create an LLC, or incorporate? Your business structure defines your legal liability, your tax responsibilities, and how much “paperwork” you’ll be required to complete each year.
- Sole Proprietorship
- Partnership (General)
- Limited Liability Company (“LLC”)
- Corporation
Deciding which business entity is best for you is where most entrepreneurs seek out some outside business consulting.
Register Your Business Name
Once you’ve picked an entity structure, you will need to choose a name. If you’ve decided to operate as a sole proprietorship or general partnership business entity and you want to conduct business under a name other than your legal birth name, you will need to file what is called an Assumed Name Certificate. Let’s nickname it your “DBA,” which stands for “Doing Business As.”
All Assumed Name (“DBA”) filings in Tarrant County must be filed at the Tarrant County Clerk’s office, even if you filed with the state. Texas also requires a county-level filing for many types of entities. Be sure to search the Tarrant County records to ensure your desired business name isn’t being used by another local business.
File Your Business With the State
If you decided to register your business as an LLC, Corporation, or Limited Partnership, you’ll need to fill out some paperwork with the Texas Secretary of State. As of the end of 2025, SOS has discontinued allowing filings over fax. Previously, Texas allowed entrepreneurs to fax their Articles of Incorporation, etc. to the SOS. Now, all filings must be completed through SOSDirect or SOSUpload.
This form is called a “Certificate of Formation”. In addition to the actual document, you will need to assign a Registered Agent. A Registered Agent is simply a person or business who has a physical Texas address, and who agrees to accept legal documents on behalf of your business. Please see our guide on how to register a business with the SOS for more information.
Apply for an EIN with the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is essentially your business’s social security number. The IRS requires you to have an EIN for most business structures, particularly if you will have employees or are operating as a corporation or partnership. Even if you are a one-person shop (AKA solopreneur), we recommend obtaining an EIN so that you aren’t forced to provide your social security number to vendors and contractors.
Apply for your free EIN via the IRS website.
Obtain Any Licenses Or Permits
The great state of Texas doesn’t require you to get a “general” business license to conduct business within state borders. However, there may be city-specific licenses and permits to obtain based on your industry and business location.
- Certificate of Occupancy (CO): Before you can start operating out of a brick-and-mortar storefront or office space in Fort Worth, Texas, you will need to obtain a CO from the Planning and Development Department. A CO certifies the physical building you occupy is up to code, and zoned for your particular business use.
- Professional Licenses: Texas requires licenses for many skilled professions like plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, and even cosmetologists. Check with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to find out if your profession requires a license.
- Health Permit: Do you plan on serving food to the public? Then you’ll need to pull a permit from the city’s Consumer Health Division. If you’re opening a restaurant, food truck, or even selling cupcakes from your storefront, health inspections are a must.
Register for State Taxes
Once you’ve danced with the Comptroller (Texas Secretary of State), it’s time to meet with the accountant. Head to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts website to apply for state taxes.
The great majority of businesses in Fort Worth will need to apply for a Sales and Use Tax Permit. If you sell physical goods or offer services that are taxable in Texas, you’ll need this permit.
Texas also requires businesses to file a Franchise Tax. Currently, small businesses that fall under the “no tax due” threshold pay no Texas State taxes on their first $2.65 million in revenues (2026 reporting year). You can calculate your potential Franchise Tax obligation using the Texas Comptroller’s estimator. Regardless of whether you owe taxes, all Texas businesses with employees are required to file an annual Ownership Information Report (OIR) or Public Information Report (PIR).
Open a Business Checking Account
To maintain your liability protection as an LLC (or Corporation) you will want to avoid “commingling,” or mixing, your personal and business funds. In other words, keep your business profits and expenses in a separate account from your personal bank account.
Simply head to your local bank with your EIN, Certificate of Formation, and DBA (if applicable) to apply for a business checking account. This will make bookkeeping infinitely easier down the road. Don’t forget this step — you’ll need a business bank account to work with most business consulting firms.
Tips for New Fort Worth Entrepreneurs | Business Formation Checklist
- Fort Worth Zoning Laws: Before you sign a lease, make doubly sure you can operate your type of business in that particular Fort Worth zip code.
- Store Everything Online: Scan or take pictures of all receipts related to your business filings and tax permits. Save them to a cloud folder for safekeeping.
- Know The 10-Year Rule: DBA filings in Tarrant County expire every 10 years.
Contact Havins Business Services | Growing Your Business Together
Whether starting a company is your New Year’s resolution or your New Endeavor, think of us as your guide on the journey from startup to scaling your business. Whether you’re stuck on “LLC vs. Corp” or slinging espresso out of your food truck, feeling overwhelmed by “imposter syndrome” because your backend is a mess… whatever it is, we can help. Our business consulting team works with companies just like yours to offer actionable advice and hands-on assistance to register your business correctly the first time.
Here at Havins Business Services, we aim to develop your internal operations so that one day we can hand your business back to you. As your business advisor, we offer business consulting services ranging from business formation to bookkeeping and financial training. We treat each of our clients like they are our own.
Contact our business consulting firm today to start turning your idea into a reality.