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Starting a(n) Business Licenses & Tax IDs

Hi, I'm How To Get A Resale Permit School School Alright, school food slingers of Wisconsin—let’s talk sales tax and seller’s permits, cheesehead style! 🧀 --- ### 🧾 **Wisconsin Sales Tax Rate** As of now (mid-2025), the **statewide sales tax rate in Wisconsin is 5%**. But wait! Some counties slap on an extra **0.5%** local tax. So depending on w..., .

Hi, I'm Wisconsin Sales Tax Rate School Alright, school food slingers of Wisconsin—let’s talk sales tax and seller’s permits, cheesehead style! 🧀 --- ### 🧾 **Wisconsin Sales Tax Rate** As of now (mid-2025), the **statewide sales tax rate in Wisconsin is 5%**. But wait! Some counties slap on an extra **0.5%** local tax. So depending on w..., .

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Licenses and Registrations to Start a Private Elementary School

✅ Business Registration (LLC, Corp, etc.) – for legal structure

✅ Seller's Permit – if any goods like uniforms, books, or snacks are sold

✅ Zoning and Use Permit – for operating in a location approved for education

✅ Fire Safety Inspection Certificate – because classrooms and open flames don’t mix

✅ Building Occupancy Permit – ensuring facilities are child-ready

✅ Health Department Clearance – if serving food or snacks

✅ Background Checks – for all staff, especially those working directly with children

✅ Private School Accreditation (Optional, but highly recommended)

✅ Curriculum Approval or Notice of Intent (varies based on educational guidelines)

✅ Immunization Compliance Records – for student health tracking

✅ Employer Identification Number (EIN) – for payroll and taxes

✅ Workers’ Compensation Insurance – to protect staff and satisfy labor requirements

✅ Student Safety & Emergency Plan Documentation – because “recess” shouldn’t turn into a rescue

✅ Transportation Licensing (if providing student transit)

✅ Obtain all licenses and registrations here online

Industry Fun Facts & Figures

🎓 📈 There are over **30,000 private K–12 schools** in the U.S., enrolling around **5 million students**. That’s a lot of juice boxes. 🧑‍🏫 👨‍🏫 The average private elementary school class size is **18 students**, compared to about **25 in public schools**—which means fewer cupcakes to bring on birthdays. 💸 💰 Tuition ranges from **\$4,000 to over \$25,000** per year depending on the region, amenities, and whether the school has, say, violin lessons or organic gardening.

If you're wondering whether starting a private elementary school requires specific licenses beyond general business permits: yes, it does. But the rewards include sticky finger paintings and an unending stream of stories that begin with, "You won’t believe what Timmy said today..."

✔ Biz Structure

You can choose to be a(n) School :

Sole Proprietor,
LLC,
Corporation or
Partnership.
After you decide and select your business entity, you need licensing.

✔ Biz License

Costa Mesa Business Tax Registration ( Business License)
All businesses including home, online or mobile BUSINESS need a BUSINESS license because they are BUSINESSES.

✔ DBA Biz Name

A(n) School business using a DBA Doing Business As Trade Name in Orange County , i.e., starting businesses using a company name other than the legal (given name) owner's name, need a(n) DBA Doing Business As Trade Name Registration. For example, you start a(n) School business and you call it "Ultra School Co". You will need to file a trade firm name for it.

✔ Seller Permit

Also, keep in mind that in CA though, a business license and a DBA is necessary for most businesses but if your business sells any taxable items, you will need a sales tax ID number. (A.K.A state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate, about $39 for most states).
Seller's Permit

✔ Federal EIN

Note: All businesses need a federal tax ID number except sole proprietors that are not employers and are not independent contractors.
An independent contractor is a self employed business person that receives more than $600 per year from anyone of his or her clients.
IRS rule: The client must issue a 1099 form to the independent contractor and the independent contractor must have a federal tax ID. However, even sole owners may obtain a federal ID and use it as a business tax ID instead of using their own social security number as a business tax ID number.
However, all other licenses that apply to sole proprietors as discussed here are requited regardless of getting a federal tax ID number.

✔ State EIN

If you are thinking of hiring help, you will need a state employer ID and an IRS number employer ID. I.e., a CA Federal Tax Id Number ($29) and a(n) CA State Employer Tax Number

✔ L L C

Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing (about $49 plus state and legal newspaper publication fees) in Costa Mesa, Incorporate in CA or form a(n) CA LLC .

If you will set up a corporation or form an LLC, you will not have to file a DBA (Doing Business As) unless your corproration or LLC name will be different that the busienss name you will trade under. Businesses that use the full legal name of the owner as a business name do not need to register an assumed business name. So, for example, your name is "John X Doe" and you use that as a business name.

✔ Incorporation

If you do form an Non Profit llc or incorporate (about $49 plus state fees for most states) your School business instead of just filing a fictitious business name (dba), it will help you avoid legal and financial personal liability arising out of business transactions and you will not have to register the Costa Mesa business name. Instead of filing a Orange County fictitious business name (our service fee includes dba business name filing and legal paper publication) you can elect to incorporate in CA or form an CA LLC (starts @ $49 plus state fee for most states & includes bylaws and LLC operating agreement)..

Free Seller's Permit

Licenses and Registrations to Start a Private Elementary School

Industry Fun Facts & Figures