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Getting Started

Downtown Seymour Business Assistance ProgramsLocal, state and federal requirements for licensing, taxes and other regulations vary depending on the type of business and where it is conducted or located. The following are general requirements for Jackson County.

Filing of a Business Name

Often referred to as the DBA (Doing Business As). If you are a Sole Proprietorship or a Partnership, you should register the Certificate of Assumed Business Name with the Jackson County Recorder’s Office located in the Jackson County Courthouse. You may also file online by visiting the State of Indiana INBiz Website 

The Certificate of Assumed Business Name is not a license and does not provide copyright protection.

Building and Electrical Permits

To inquire about building, zoning and/or electrical permits and any other Jackson County permits that may be required, please contact the following:

  • Building Permit Contact - Jackson County Planning & Zoning - Ph#812.522.4746
  • Electrical Permit Contact - Jackson County Planning & Zoning - Ph#812.522.4746

Local Occupation License

The City of Seymour (Jackson County, Indiana) does not currently require a general business license. However, you must file a Certificate of Assumed Business Name (if you name your business anything other than your own personal name) or be on record with the Indiana Secretary of State. If your business is an LLC or Corporation, the Indiana Secretary of State will notify the County.

State Occupational License

Indiana.Gov WebsiteOver 100 professions and occupations require Indiana licenses or Certificates of Competency. Many require special training or examinations. Click on the link below for more information on Indiana Occupational Licensing requirements.

State of Indiana Business Occupation Licensing

Fence, Sign and Parking Lot Permits

To comply with the City or County fence, sign, or parking lot ordinances, contact the Jackson County Planing and Zoning Department.

Planning & Zoning (Jackson County)

If you are starting a business outside the corporate limited of the Seymour, but within Jackson County you must contact your respective Department of Planning for information about zoning, improvement location permits, certificates of compliance, and economic development matters.

To inquire whether the location of the perspective business being considered is zoned for business, contact the Jackson County Planning Commission

Planning & Zoning & Fire Safety (City of Seymour)

If you plan on starting a business in the City of Seymour, it is your responsibility to confirm that the building or property that you intend to occupy conforms to local and state codes. Please use this resource guide below before you purchase or lease, begin to renovate, or are considering starting your own business. Also keep in mind that outdoor events are regulated by City and State codes and must be approved by Seymour City officials.

Resource Planning Guide for City of Seymour

County Health Permits

Several types of businesses must obtain health permits and be inspected by the Health Department. In particular, businesses engaged in handling food must submit an application and detailed plans of their food service prior to being inspected by the Health Department in receiving the food permit. For more information, contact the Jackon County Health Department

  • Indiana law requires Certification of one food handler per establishment. ServSafe is one test approved to meet this requirement. Further information is available at ServSafe®.  ServSafe® Training and Exam certifications last for 5 years and you may order replacement certificates from http://www.servsafe.com or by calling 800-765-2122.
  • The Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association represents more than 1,600 hotel and restaurant properties as well as industry-related service companies.
  • All wholesale food businesses which engage in the manufacture of distribution of foods, beverages, and/or additives of any type (whether on a seasonal basis or not) are required to be registered with the Indiana State Department of Health, per the requirements of the Indiana Food, Drug, and cosmetic Act (IC 16-42-1-6). 

Incorporating

All corporations are state chartered and, in Indiana, must file Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Trade Name with the Secretary of State’s (SOS) office. The filing fee is usually $90, but depends on the number of shares issued. More information is available by visiting the State of Indiana INBiz Website

Federal – Employer Identification Number

IRS.GovThis registers the business with the federal government. All businesses, except sole proprietorships with no employees, are required to register using Form SS-4. If the business has employees, it is required to withhold Federal Income Tax and Social Security Tax from wages paid to employees.

A free Business Tax Kit is available at the Internal Revenue Office. The kit includes forms and information that help a business comply with federal tax laws and regulations. You can request a Business Tax Kit by calling the IRS Document Distribution Center in Indianapolis at either 800-829-1040 or 800-829-3676. Also, check out the IRS web site: www.irs.gov. It has an excellent document search function and offers a great deal of helpful information for businesses.

Or you can call 800-829-3679 to request the form (EIN application) by mail, or you may click here to apply for your EIN online 

State - Sales Tax & Corporate Income Tax

Indiana Dept of RevenueThe State of Indiana requires that businesses collect a seven percent (7%) Gross Retail Sales and Use Tax on certain items. If the business is retail, wholesale, or manufacturing, it must obtain a Retail Merchant’s Certificate for the collection of and/or exemption from the Indiana Cross Retail Sales and Use Tax. (Generally, service-businesses are excluded.) The Certificate allows the business to buy merchandise for resale without paying the 7% tax and also gives them the authority to charge the 7% tax. Click here to more information on Indiana Form BT-1 to apply for your Retail Merchants’ Certificate. Application includes a $25 fee.

All Indiana corporations are subject to a Corporate Income Tax and may be required to file quarterly estimated income tax returns.

Further information may be obtained for both the sales tax and corporate tax from the Indiana Department of Revenue Website.

Local - Tangible Tax

A tax is levied on tangible (physical) business assets with the tax rate set by the local taxing unit. For more information regarding your property taxes contact the Jackson County Treasurer's Office

Federal Unemployment Tax

If a business has one or more employees it may be liable for Federal Unemployment Taxes. Visit the IRS website for more information.

State Unemployment Tax

In addition to the Federal Unemployment Tax, an employer must pay the State Unemployment Tax. State requirements for employers can be found at: Indiana Department of Workforce Development website

You can also call the Department of Workforce Development at 888-WORKFONE. The Department’s mailing address is Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Indiana Government Center south, 10 N. Senate Ave, Indianapolis, 46204.

Worker's Compensation

Worker’s compensation insurance is compulsory for all employers in Indiana. It is carried by private insurance agents, and law regulates premiums paid by employers. Contact your local insurance agency or call the Worker’s Compensation Board of Indiana, 100 N. Senate Ave, Room 601, Indianapolis, 46204. Phone: 317-232-3808

 

 

Seymour Main Street Business Development Resources

Grant and Loan Recipients must be Seymour Main Street members at least the $100 dollar level.