Resources

*Formerly known as the Business Privilege License.*
Anyone doing business in Philadelphia needs Commercial Activity License. A City  Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) Number is required with the application.

The Commercial Activity License is FREE.

Consult L & I to determine if your business type or location requires any additional Licenses, Permits, or Zoning.

Municipal Services Building - 11th Floor
1401 JFK Blvd. Concourse Level
Philadelphia, PA 19102

The Philadelphia Department of Revenue will issue a Philadelphia Business Income and Receipts Tax Number, and can provide information about City business taxes.

If your business name is different from your legal name, you must either register the legal name with the state (through filing formation documents for an LLC, corporation, or partnership), or file for a fictitious (trade) name (if you plan to operate as sole proprietor. There is a small fee.

To inquire whether your proposed business name is available, or to request registration forms, contact:

207 North Office Building
401 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Any corporation or partnership, or a sole proprietor who plans on hiring employees, must obtain a Federal ID Number by filing IRS Form SS-4.

For information, or to obtain the form, call or visit.

600 Arch Street, Room 1232
Philadelphia, PA 19106

*Formerly the PA Enterprise Registration Form (PA-100)*

The myPATH registration service includes registration for all tax types included in the previous PA-100 application. It also includes the ability to register for corporate net income tax, corporation specialty taxes, and other withholding taxes that are new services being offered with this transition to myPATH.

*Services for taxpayers with special hearing and speaking needs: 1-800-447-3020 

PA Department of Revenue
110 N 8th Street Room, STE 204A
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 560-2056

For questions pertaining only to PA State Unemployment Tax, call 215-560-2845.

PA Dept. of Labor and Industry
1521 North Sixth Street
Harrisburg PA, 17102

This site provides county resource links and county demographics. They administer the economic development initiatives of the County Commissioners, including administering several loan funds, and work in partnership with many for- and not-for-profit organizations to support local businesses, enterprises, and entrepreneurs.

This site provides county demographic information, procurement, real estate information, links to business resources and organizations, local municipalities, and county government offices.

This site is a one-stop resource for economic development agencies, authorities and resources in Delaware County.

This is the resource site for Montgomery County economic assistance and development for business. This site contains information and links to demographics, state and local taxes, and business resources.

This resource site provides information regarding Business Services and Economic Inclusion within the City of Philadelphia. This site provides detailed information, forms and resources related to planning, starting and running a business.

This resource site provides information about economic development initiatives including financing programs and real estate services in the Philadelphia region.

Beacon is a community of accomplished and diverse leaders and entrepreneurs. Beacon helps members to develop relationships to grow their skills, careers, and businesses.

VestedIn (formerly West Philadelphia Financial Services Institution) has been referred to as the “economic engine” of the community. Their mission is to facilitate empowerment and wealth building through investment in communities. VestedIn takes the moving parts of our community and converts that power into tangible actions that propels motion that lasts for generations.

Vendors and suppliers interested in doing business with Allegheny County can review open solicitations for Purchasing and Supplies bids on the Bonfire website. Suppliers must be registered to access open opportunities.

For over 40 years, Community Legal Services (CLS) of Philadelphia has provided the highest quality legal assistance to low-income Philadelphians who cannot afford legal counsel when they most need it. CLS houses nine different legal units: Community Economic Development; Consumer Law; Aging and Disabilities Law; Employment; Energy; Family Advocacy; Housing; Language Access; and Public Benefits, including the Advocating on Behalf of Children project (ABC).

The Entrepreneurial Law Clinic provides legal guidance to Philadelphia-area start up companies by assigning them a team of law students under the supervision of a mentor. Interested firms should apply at the link above.

Philadelphia LawWorks, a project of Philadelphia VIP, contributes to Philadelphia's economic development by ensuring that homeowners, nonprofits and small business owners' legal needs are met and by educating clients and the community to prevent legal problems.

The Philadelphia Bar Association has a referral service. You'll be asking to complete a form with your information and a brief description of the legal problem at hand. They'll refer to an attorney who practices in the specific legal area you're seeking. There is no cost for the referral; should you contact the attorney they refer you to, there is a set $35 fee for a 30 minute consultation.

This guide presents an informal overview of some basic ADA requirements for small businesses that provide goods or services to the public. The U.S. Small Business Administration is pleased to work with the U. S. Department of Justice in assisting small businesses to understand and comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Services include choice-of-entity and formation assistance as well as contract drafting and review. Contracts tend to fall into one of two categories: organizational and operational contracts.

The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians' services for immigrants include employment assistance, small business start up assistance, ESL training. Their services for employers include help finding, hiring, and retaining qualified immigrants.

PA Business One-Stop Shop is the result of the commonwealth's effort to make Pennsylvania the easiest place in the world to start, build and expand a business. This website gives entrepreneurs one-stop access to business information.

Entrepreneurs can find out how to start a business, learn how PA can help them grow, find the right forms and electronically register a business with the Department of Labor and Industry, Department of Revenue, and Department of State.

Founded in 1966, Clarifi (formerly known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit community service organization providing a wide variety of counseling services and educational programs designed to empower individuals-of all economic levels-financially, and to help them before, during or after a period of financial difficulty.

The U.S. Department of Commerce and International Trade Administration (ITA) are critical to the implementation of NEI.

A video series developed through a partnership with AT&T, SBA & Inc. Magazine to promote exporting. The series guides small businesses through the process of exporting: Getting Started in Exporting; Planning for Export success; Connecting with Foreign Buyers; Financing; and five Case Studies of successful small business exporters.

Located in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States, each U.S. Export Assistance Center is staffed by professionals from the SBA, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and other public and private organizations. Your local U.S. Export Assistance Center is your one-stop shop, designed to provide export assistance for your small- or medium-sized business.

A domain name is the online URL of your business, and helps to legitimize your presence online. A domain allows you to create a website and email address rather than using a site like gmail or hotmail. This resource clearly explains what a domain name is and easy ways to obtain (and maintain) one.