How to Start A Business

Follow these steps to start your business and get it registered with the City of Albuquerque.

Step 1.

Define the Business: For whom, doing what, how and where

Step 2.

Choose a Business Name. If you are planning on using a web site then you should consider registering your trade name and logo with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. You can do the basic research at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website but will ultimately have to do a formal filing. The last thing that you want to happen is to receive a letter from some lawyer telling you to stop using the name you have chosen as it is trademarked.

Step 3.

Choose and Register Your Legal Structure: The choices of legal structure for a business are:
Sole Proprietorship (Trademark filing is optional with Secretary of State)

The following are registered with the Secretary of State, who clears the name only in the state.

• Partnership
• Limited Partnership
• Limited Liability Partnership
• Corporation (C-Corporation)
• Limited Liability Company

C corporations who wish to elect S corporation status should complete IRS form 2553 once their C corporation
registration has been filed.

Step 4.

Obtain your Federal Employers Identification Number (FEIN) from the IRS: The application forms, SS-4, are
available at the IRS website, by telephone, fax, or the local IRS office.

Step 5.

Register with the State Taxation and Revenue for CRS tax number at their website

Or visit their local office at:

N.M. Taxation & Revenue Department
5301 Central NE
Albuquerque, NM 87108 - Map
(505) 841-6200

Step 6.

Contact the City of Albuquerque's Environmental Health Department if any of the following apply to your business:

• Involves handling, preparing, or serving food
• Has a swimming pool
• Is a liquor store, bar, lounge, or convenience store selling liquor

The Environmental Health Department inform you know if City Health Ordinances apply to your business. They also will issue the clearance forms and determine inspection fees. View Environmental Health Department information

Step 7.

Contact the City Treasury Division if your business involves any of the following:

• Pawnbroking
• Lodging (hotel, motel operations)
• Professional fund raising
• Business solicitations at private residences or on public streets or sidewalks

View Treasury Division contact information

Step 8.

Submit your City of Albuquerque Business Registration Application and payment online

Need more information about Business Registration Applications?

• Learn more about registering your business from the Planning Department, or
• Contact the Planning Department's Business Registration Section

Step 9.

Report New Hires to the New Mexico New Hires Directory: Federal and State law requires employers to report
newly hired and re-hired employees in New Mexico to the New Mexico New Hires Directory.

Visit the N.M. New Hired Directory website

Step 10.

As soon as you start paying employee wages you need to fill out form ES802 on line with the New Mexico
Department of Workforce Solutions. 

Visit the Workforce Solutions website.

Step 11.

If you have employees, contact the IRS and your State Taxation and Revenue Office or a tax accountant for the
appropriate forms and rates for the following: State Unemployment Tax (SUTA), Federal Unemployment Tax
(FUTA), Federal Income Tax (FIT), State Income Tax (SIT) if applicable, Social Security Withholding (FICA),
Medicare withholding, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Form I-9 for Employment Eligibility Verification.

Step 12.

Check with an Attorney Regarding Leasing Agreements, Contracts, Patents, Copyrights, Intellectual Property
and Licensing Agreement Requirements.

Step 13.

Determine the Necessary Guidelines for Compliance with Title I and Title III of the Americans With Disabilities
Act (ADA).

View the latest information from the ADA website.

Step 14.

Establish a Business Bank Account: If you plan to accept credit cards it may be necessary to setup a Merchant
account.

Step 15.

Check your Insurance Coverage: The following are some, but not all, insurance policies you might consider:

• Property and Liability
• Life and Health
• Business Interruption
• Disability Income and Key Person
• Product and professional liability
• Insure major equipment for replacement value
• Comprehensive general liability (umbrella policy)
• Worker’s Compensation
• Motor vehicle.