Use this directory to jump directly to your state’s official portals for business registration (usually the Secretary of State) and tax registration (Department of Revenue/Taxation). All links point to government websites (.gov or state-run domains).
Alabama
- Business Registration: Alabama Secretary of State – Business Entities
- Tax Registration: Alabama Department of Revenue – Business Tax
Alaska
- Business Registration: Alaska Corporations (Commerce, Community & Economic Development)
- Tax Registration: Alaska Tax Division (Dept. of Revenue)
Arizona
- Business Registration: Arizona Corporation Commission – eCorp
- Tax Registration: Arizona Department of Revenue – Business Taxes
Arkansas
- Business Registration: Arkansas Secretary of State – Business & Commercial Services
- Tax Registration: Arkansas Dept. of Finance & Administration – Tax
California
- Business Registration: California Secretary of State – bizfile Online
- Tax Registration: CDTFA – Sales & Use / Business Taxes | Franchise Tax Board (income tax)
Colorado
- Business Registration: Colorado Secretary of State – Business
- Tax Registration: Colorado Department of Revenue – New Business
Connecticut
- Business Registration: CT Secretary of the State – Business Services
- Tax Registration: CT Dept. of Revenue Services
Delaware
- Business Registration: Delaware Division of Corporations
- Tax Registration: Delaware Division of Revenue – Business
District of Columbia
- Business Registration: DC Corporations Division – CorpOnline
- Tax Registration: Office of Tax and Revenue – MyTax DC
Florida
- Business Registration: Florida Division of Corporations – Sunbiz
- Tax Registration: Florida Department of Revenue – Register
Georgia
- Business Registration: Georgia Secretary of State – eCorp
- Tax Registration: Georgia Department of Revenue – Businesses
Hawaii
- Business Registration: Hawaii Business Registration Division
- Tax Registration: Hawaii Dept. of Taxation – Hawaii Tax Online
Idaho
- Business Registration: Idaho Secretary of State – Business
- Tax Registration: Idaho State Tax Commission – Business
Illinois
- Business Registration: Illinois Secretary of State – Business Services
- Tax Registration: Illinois Dept. of Revenue – MyTax Illinois
Indiana
- Business Registration: INBiz (Secretary of State + state partners)
- Tax Registration: Indiana Dept. of Revenue – Business Tax
Iowa
- Business Registration: Iowa Secretary of State – Business Services
- Tax Registration: Iowa Dept. of Revenue – Businesses
Kansas
- Business Registration: Kansas Secretary of State – Business
- Tax Registration: Kansas Dept. of Revenue – Business Taxes
Kentucky
- Business Registration: Kentucky One Stop Business Portal
- Tax Registration: Kentucky Dept. of Revenue – Business
Louisiana
- Business Registration: GeauxBiz (LA Secretary of State)
- Tax Registration: Louisiana Dept. of Revenue – Businesses
Maine
- Business Registration: Maine Secretary of State – Corporations
- Tax Registration: Maine Revenue Services – Businesses
Maryland
- Business Registration: Maryland Business Express
- Tax Registration: Comptroller of Maryland – Business Tax
Massachusetts
- Business Registration: MA Secretary of the Commonwealth – Corporations
- Tax Registration: MassTaxConnect
Michigan
- Business Registration: LARA – Corporations Division
- Tax Registration: Michigan Dept. of Treasury – Business
Minnesota
- Business Registration: Minnesota Business & Liens (SOS)
- Tax Registration: MN Dept. of Revenue – Businesses
Mississippi
- Business Registration: Mississippi Secretary of State – Corporations
- Tax Registration: Mississippi Dept. of Revenue
Missouri
- Business Registration: Missouri Secretary of State – Business Services
- Tax Registration: Missouri Dept. of Revenue – Business
Montana
- Business Registration: Montana SOS – Business Portal
- Tax Registration: Montana Dept. of Revenue – Businesses
Nebraska
- Business Registration: Nebraska Secretary of State – Business Services
- Tax Registration: Nebraska Dept. of Revenue – Businesses
Nevada
- Business Registration: SilverFlume Nevada Business Portal
- Tax Registration: Nevada Dept. of Taxation
New Hampshire
- Business Registration: NH QuickStart (SOS)
- Tax Registration: NH Dept. of Revenue Administration
New Jersey
- Business Registration: NJ Business Registration
- Tax Registration: NJ Division of Taxation – Businesses
New Mexico
- Business Registration: New Mexico SOS – Business
- Tax Registration: NM Taxation & Revenue – Businesses
New York
- Business Registration: NY Dept. of State – Corporations
- Tax Registration: NY Dept. of Taxation & Finance – Register
North Carolina
- Business Registration: NC Secretary of State – Business Registration
- Tax Registration: NC Dept. of Revenue – Business Registration
North Dakota
- Business Registration: ND FirstStop (SOS)
- Tax Registration: ND Office of State Tax Commissioner – Business
Ohio
- Business Registration: Ohio Secretary of State – Businesses
- Tax Registration: Ohio Business Gateway (tax & licenses)
Oklahoma
- Business Registration: Oklahoma Secretary of State – Business
- Tax Registration: Oklahoma Tax Commission
Oregon
- Business Registration: Oregon Secretary of State – Business
- Tax Registration: Oregon Dept. of Revenue – Businesses
Pennsylvania
- Business Registration: PA Dept. of State – Business One-Stop Hub
- Tax Registration: myPATH (PA Dept. of Revenue)
Rhode Island
- Business Registration: RI Secretary of State – Business Services
- Tax Registration: Rhode Island Division of Taxation
South Carolina
- Business Registration: SC Business One Stop (SOS)
- Tax Registration: SC Dept. of Revenue – Business
South Dakota
- Business Registration: South Dakota Secretary of State – Business
- Tax Registration: SD Dept. of Revenue – Businesses
Tennessee
- Business Registration: Tennessee SOS – Business Services
- Tax Registration: Tennessee Dept. of Revenue – Businesses
Texas
- Business Registration: Texas Secretary of State – Corporations
- Tax Registration: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts – Taxes
Utah
- Business Registration: Utah Division of Corporations & Commercial Code
- Tax Registration: Utah State Tax Commission – Business
Vermont
- Business Registration: Vermont SOS – Corporations
- Tax Registration: Vermont Dept. of Taxes – Business
Virginia
- Business Registration: Virginia SCC – Clerk’s Information System
- Tax Registration: Virginia Tax – Register a Business
Washington
- Business Registration: Washington SOS – Corporations & Charities Filing
- Tax Registration: WA Dept. of Revenue – Businesses
West Virginia
- Business Registration: WV One Stop Business Portal (SOS)
- Tax Registration: WV State Tax Dept. – Business
Wisconsin
- Business Registration: WI Dept. of Financial Institutions – Corporations
- Tax Registration: Wisconsin Dept. of Revenue – Business
Wyoming
- Business Registration: Wyoming Secretary of State – Business Center
- Tax Registration: Wyoming Dept. of Revenue
Official Reference Directories (for verification)
- National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) – Corporate Registration state selector
- Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA) – State Tax Agencies map
- IRS – State Government Websites (business & tax)
- SBA – Licenses & Permits by State
Use this directory with a setup decision
A state directory is more useful when it tells readers which state office fits which task: entity formation, tax registration, income tax payment, payroll, sales tax, or annual reports.
| Forming an entity | Start with Secretary of State or equivalent business filing office. |
| Paying income tax | Use the Department of Revenue or tax agency payment portal. |
| Hiring workers | Payroll, unemployment, withholding, and workers compensation may involve separate state agencies. |
| Opening accounts | EIN, state registration, bank account, and licenses are related but separate steps. |
Related next steps
Quick FAQ
Is the Secretary of State the same as the tax department?
Usually no. Entity formation and tax accounts are often handled by different offices.
Should I register in every state where I have a customer?
Not automatically. State registration depends on activity, nexus, tax type, and business facts.