# Licensing question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 8, 2005, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/licensing-question/330124 "2005-11-08T23:05:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2005, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/licensing-question/330124/1 "2005-11-08T23:05:46Z")
Hello, I would like to buy A… Business licence. The question, remains, do I need to buy one? If I were, say, planning on starting an online business. Does a city business licence cover all your bases, or is there something else needed? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/licensing-question/330124/2 "2005-11-08T23:13:32Z")
When I started my online business four years ago, I checked with City Hall, and was informed that I didn’t have to get any license at all. The only thing they care about is that I pay my taxes. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2005, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/licensing-question/330124/3 "2005-11-08T23:17:05Z")
Yes. Check with your local municipality; some require licenses, others don’t. You’ll also will have to conform with zoning laws. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2005, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/licensing-question/330124/4 "2005-11-08T23:51:29Z")
You may also need state licensing, or at least a state tax ID - this is what will enable you to buy merchandise and not pay any tax until it’s sold and you’ve collected the sales tax from the purchaser. Off the top of my head, I’d like to think that Nolo Press has at least one worthwhile book on the subject of starting a small business.