PA Business One-Stop Shop Help Center

The PA Business One-Stop Shop Help Center was created to assist businesses and entrepreneurs to start, operate, and grow a business in Pennsylvania. Review our business licensing reference guides for assistance with licensing based on specific business activities. Our help guides will assist you navigate various agency systems, including the Business Hub, Business Filing Services, myPATH, and more. Our videos will assist you complete specific applications you may need to start and operate your business. Use our Find Business Experts tool to find local business experts to assist with your business needs. Get started by using the search function to find resources based on your specific needs, or scroll down to review all available help content.
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Business Licensing Reference Guides

Animal Groomers
Use this guide if you intend to open an animal grooming business. While there is no specific licensing for animal groomers, you can learn more about collecting sales tax as well as claiming sales tax exemptions.

Auto Mechanics and Garages
Use this guide if you intend to open an auto mechanic shop, garage, body shop, repair shop, or similar business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax, sales tax exemptions, and becoming a state inspection/emissions station.

Childcare Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a childcare business. Learn more about childcare licensing as well as obtaining the necessary Child Protective Services Law clearances.

Cleaning Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a residential and/or commercial cleaning business. While there is no specific licensing for cleaning businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax as well as claiming sales tax exemptions as it relates to building cleaning services.

Clothing Stores and Boutiques
Use this guide if you intend to open an online or physical clothing store, boutique, pop-up shop, eCommerce, or similar business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax as well as claiming sales tax exemptions.

Construction Contractors/Landscapers
Use this guide if you intend to open a residential and/or commercial construction contracting or landscaping business. Learn more about sales tax, as well as sales tax exemptions related to contracting work, the Home-Improvement Contractor’s license, and working with asbestos and lead paint.

eCommerce/Online Retail/Graphic Design
Use this guide if you intend to open an eCommerce, online retail, graphic design, or similar business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax online and in person, using third party sellers, and claiming sales tax exemptions.

Grocery/Convenience/Corner Stores
Use this guide if you intend to open a grocery store, supermarket, convenience store, corner store, bodega, food store, market, or similar business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax, claiming sales tax exemptions, selling tobacco products, becoming a lottery retailer, accepting SNAP/EBT payments, food licensing, and selling alcohol.

Hair/Nail Salons/Barbershops
Use this guide if you intend to open a hair salon, nail salon, and/or barbershop. Learn more about sales tax and sales tax exemptions as it relates to barbers and beauticians and obtaining a cosmetology and/or barber license.

Homemade Craft/Food Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a homemade craft and/or food business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax, claiming sales tax exemptions, food licensing, and stuffed toys/bedding and upholstery requirements.

Manufacturers/Processors/Wholesalers
Use this guide if you intend to open a manufacturing/processing/wholesaling business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about the sales tax license/wholesaler certificate, claiming sales tax exemptions, stuffed toy/bedding and upholstery requirements, and food licensing

Non-Profit Organizations
Use this guide if you intend to open a non-profit organization. While there is no specific licensing for non-profit organizations, you can learn more about obtaining 501c (charitable) status through the IRS, receiving donations, claiming sales tax exemptions, and obtaining state tax accounts.

Photography/Videography Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a photography/videography business. While there is no specific licensing for a photography/videography business, you can learn more about collecting sales tax as well as claiming sales tax exemptions.

Retail Food Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a restaurant, catering, food truck, event stand, bar/club, market, deli, butcher, farmer’s market, or similar business. Learn more about collecting sales tax, claiming sales tax exemptions, food licensing, and selling alcohol.

Security Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a security, watchmen, patrol, surveillance, private detective, or similar business. Learn more about armed security requirements, Act 235 certification, and abiding by the Private Detective Act of 1953.

Staffing Agency Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a staffing agency, employment agency, help-supply, or similar business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax as well as requirements associated with home health/care agencies.

Transportation Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a transportation business moving goods and/or people. Learn more about obtaining a commercial driver’s license, motor carrier license, registration plate requirements, miscellaneous dealer requirements (e.g., towing and repair, vehicle salvage, transporter services, financier or collector-repossessor, transportation of watercraft), operating between states (interstate hauler), and moving hazardous materials.

Yoga/Reiki Studio/Med Spas/Wellness Businesses
Use this guide if you intend to open a yoga studio, reiki studio, medical spa, or other wellness business. While there is no specific licensing for these types of businesses, you can learn more about collecting sales tax, the requirements associated with home health/care agencies, and ownership of a medical spa performing cosmetic medical procedures.

Help Guides
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Create a Business Checklist and Save your Progress
Use this guide to create a business checklist and link it to a business profile. Linking a checklist to a business profile activates the checklist progress status bar and allows you to save your checklist progress.

Create a Business Profile in the Business Hub
Use this guide to create a business profile in the Business One-Stop Shop Hub for your new or existing business.

Create a Keystone Login Account
Use this guide to create a Keystone Login Account to access the Business One-Stop Shop Hub.

Entrepreneur's Guide
Starting a business is an exciting adventure on which many Pennsylvanians embark every year. Each entrepreneur is unique. No matter what level of business experience or expertise, the Entrepreneur’s Guide: Starting and Growing a Business in Pennsylvania will provide you with valuable information that will help with business startup and growth.

Federal, State, County, and Local License Guide
There is no general business license that all Pennsylvania businesses must obtain. Instead, licensing is determined by the business activity, as well as where the business is located. Use this guide for assistance with determining whether you need a Federal, State, County, and/or Local business license based on your business activity and location.

Find Small Business Funding in PA
Use this guide to find sources of small business funding in Pennsylvania.

Hire Remote Employees in Pennsylvania
Use this guide to complete the necessary steps to hire a remote employee working in PA.

Manage Your Keystone Login Account
Use this guide to learn about and manage your Keystone Login Account and/or to find contact information for the PA Business One-Stop Shop, PA Department of State, and Keystone Login.

Register a PA Domestic LLC
Use this guide to register a PA Domestic Limited Liability Company.

Register for a User Account in the Business Hub
Use this guide for assistance with creating a new user account in the Business One-Stop Shop Hub.

Store Documents in the Business Hub
Use this guide to conveniently save documents in the Business One-Stop Shop Hub.

Update a Business Address in Pennsylvania
Use this guide to complete the necessary steps to update your business address in Pennsylvania.

PA Department of State PA Department of State

Amend or Close an Existing Business in BFS
Use this guide to amend/close an existing business in Pennsylvania (e.g., Change of Registered Office, Business Name Change, Certificate of Termination, Articles of Dissolution, Voluntary Termination/Dissolution, etc.).

Business Filing Services Portal Overview
Use this guide for general assistance with navigating the Department of State’s Business Filing Services.

Check the Status of a Recent Transaction in BFS
Use this guide to check the status of and/or download documents for a recent transaction in Business Filing Services (e.g., New/Amended Filings, Document Order Requests, UCC Filings, UCC Information Requests, and Trademarks).

Customer Deposit Accounts
Use this guide for assistance with setting up a Customer Deposit Account in the Department of State’s Business Filings Services (BFS). Customer Deposit Accounts are prepaid accounts used to pay for filings submitting to the PA Department of State. These accounts are typically used by third-party service providers and are not required to pay for filings in BFS.

Guide to Business Registration in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of State is one of the main agencies you will work with to get your business started. Their Guide to Business Registration in Pennsylvania provides valuable information about the process of registering your business including filing guidelines for each business structure and the Schedule of Fees for Department of State services. Use this guide as an informational source for business transactions conducted with the Department.

Obtain a PIN in BFS
Use this guide for assistance with obtaining a PIN in the Department of State’s Business Filing Services (BFS). Requesting and confirming a PIN allows you to gain access to specific records in BFS. Once you have gained access to a record, it will appear in My Records where you can quickly amend or close your business and/or file annual reports.

Purchase Business Documents in BFS
Use this guide to purchase previously filed documents (e.g., formation documents, amendments, annual reports, subsistence certificates/certificates of registration, also known as good standing, etc.) in Business Filing Services.

Start a New Business in BFS
Use this guide to register a new business in Pennsylvania (e.g., LLCs, Corporations, Fictitious Names, Partnerships, etc.).

PA Department of Revenue PA Department of Revenue

Apply for State Business Taxes
Use this guide to apply for Pennsylvania business tax accounts (e.g., Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax, Corporate Net Income, Employer Withholding, Unemployment Compensation, etc.), using the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.

Complete the PA Tax Exemption Certificate
Use this guide to properly completing the PA Exemption Certificate (REV-1220).

Employer Withholding Information Guide
Use this guide to find general information about Pennsylvania Employer Withholding Tax, including registering, collecting, filing, and paying.

Retailer’s Information Guide
Use this guide to find general information about State and Local Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax, Public Transportation Assistance Fund Taxes and Fees, and Vehicle Rental Tax, including registering, collecting, filing, and paying. Additionally, there is a list of goods and services designated as taxable (T) or non-taxable (NT). This will help you determine whether sales tax should be collected on sales of specific goods/services in PA.

Tax Information for Farmers
Use this guide to find general information about State and Local Sales and Use tax as it relates to farming, including taxability and exemptions.

Videos
PA Department of Community and Economic Development PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Video Guide Description
How To Apply for a PA Business Tax Account
This video will demonstrate the process to apply for Pennsylvania business taxes. While the video is relevant for all business tax types and structures, the specific tax types and structures demonstrated in this video are Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax, Employer Withholding, Unemployment Compensation, and Workers’ Compensation for a single-member LLC. Follow along to ensure you avoid common mistakes and complete the filing correctly. By the end of the video, you should be ready to submit your registration in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.
How to Register a Fictitious Name for Your Business in Pennsylvania
This video will demonstrate the process to submit the Fictitious Name Registration to register a “Doing Business As (DBA)” name in Pennsylvania. Follow along question by question to ensure you avoid common mistakes and complete the filing correctly. By the end of the video, you should be ready to submit your filing in the Department of State’s Business Filing Services system.
How to Register a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Pennsylvania
This video will demonstrate the process to submit the Certificate of Organization to register a Domestic Limited Liability Company in Pennsylvania. Follow along question by question to ensure you avoid common mistakes and complete the filing correctly. By the end of the video, you should be ready to submit your filing in the Department of State’s Business Filing Services system.
Resources For Women Owned Businesses & Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Learn more about the state and federal resources available for Pennsylvania's women-owned and aspiring entrepreneurs. Learn about counseling services, women-owned business certifications, funding, government contracting, and professional services.
Steps to Hiring Employees in Pennsylvania
This video will discuss the process to obtain the necessary business accounts when hiring Pennsylvania-based employees for the first time. First, learn about the rates and filing requirements for federal withholding taxes (e.g., Federal Income Tax, Social Security and Medicare taxes, as well as Federal Unemployment Tax). Next, learn about applying for and filing state withholding taxes (e.g., Employer Withholding Tax, Unemployment Compensation, and Workers’ compensation, as well as New Hire Reporting). Finally, learn how to obtain the necessary local withholding taxes (e.g., Earned Income Tax and the Local Service Tax).
PA Department of Revenue PA Department of Revenue
Video Guide Description
Accessing Accounts with Federal Tax Information
Watch this video for assistance with requesting access to a tax account number under another primary user profile containing federal tax information in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system. This may be necessary for third parties requiring access to information in a business owner’s and/or individual’s account.
How to Create a Primary User Profile
Watch this video for assistance with creating a primary user profile in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system. Primary user profiles are designed for those individuals who own the Tax ID number used to create the profile. This includes the taxpayer who owns the social security number or the business owner who owns the business tax identification number.
Filing Sales Tax Returns
Watch this video for assistance with filing and paying sales tax returns and payments in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.
Requesting Account Access
Watch this video for assistance with requesting access to a tax account number under another primary user profile in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system. This is necessary for third parties requiring access to information in a business owner’s and/or individual’s account.
Updating the Legal Name of Your Business
Watch this video for assistance with updating your legal business name in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.
Updating Your Address
Watch this video for assistance with updating your business address(es) in the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.
PA Department of Revenue
myPATH Videos
More Revenue Videos...
Click the Department of Revenue Icon to the left to view additional video tutorials related to the Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.
FAQs
General
What is the Business One-Stop Shop Hub (Hub), and do I need to register for a user account?
The Hub is a business administration tool that can be used by business owners, business associates, and practitioners to manage a business/non-profit in Pennsylvania. Within the Hub, users can create and save business registration checklists, create a business profile, save documents, and more. Through the Hub, users can access the logged-in version of the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Business Filing Services (BFS) system. BFS is used to officially register, amend, or close a business, as well as to purchase existing business/UCC records. A user who wishes to submit any forms electronically in BFS must first create a username and password in the Hub.
Refer to our Small Business Funding webpage for more information about our partners that provide business funding in Pennsylvania.
Business Profiles are not automatically populated to your Business One-Stop Shop Hub user profile. New and existing businesses can create a business profile within the Business One-Stop Shop Hub by accessing My Business(es) and clicking Create Business Profile. The business profile is a tool for users to conveniently keep track of their business information, including account numbers, contact information, address, representatives, checklists, and documents. A business profile is not required to complete administrative functions such as registering, amending, or closing the business. Refer to the appropriate FAQ for assistance with those processes. For additional assistance with creating a business profile in the Business One-Stop Shop Hub, refer to the Create Business Profile in the Business Hub help guide.
Test addition of external link New York Business
You can store business documents in the Business One-Stop Shop Hub by navigating to My Documents and clicking Add New Document. To store a document, you must have an active business profile in My Business(es). Documents saved in the Hub will always be available. Storing a document in the Hub does not submit the document to the appropriate agency for processing. To submit a document, go to the directly to the appropriate agency website or system. For additional assistance with storing documents in the Business One-Stop Shop Hub, refer to the How to Store Documents in the Business Hub help guide.
You can access available documents associated with an existing business document purchase by following the steps below:

  • Login or register at https://hub.business.pa.gov
  • Once on the Business One-Stop Shop Hub Dashboard, within the Quick Action Buttons, click Check a Status.
  • At the bottom of the screen, click Business Document Purchase.
  • On the resulting page, you can see your purchase status. Use the Action buttons to view and download any available documents associated with the purchase.
The typical processing time for a filing submitted to the Department of State is 3-5 business days. You can find the average processing time within the past week by accessing the logged in version of Business Filing Services. To do so, follow the steps below:

  • Login at https://hub.business.pa.gov .
  • Once on the Business One Stop Shop Hub Dashboard, click the Business Filing Services icon.
  • On the resulting page, under the Business Entity panel, you will see the date through which documents are processed. This will give you a general idea of how long it may take for the Department of State to process your filing.
  • For more precise information, in the menu options, click Dashboard.
  • In the Business Filing tile, click Week.
  • After a few seconds, you should see various data points, including the Average Days to Process. The number shown is the average number of days it is taking the Department of State to process new/amended filings over the past week. This should be a good approximation of how long it would take them to process your filing if submitted today.
After you’ve generated your business checklist, complete the resulting steps to fulfil the requirements to register, amend, merge/acquire, or close a business. Read through the entire checklist before starting, the steps do not need to be completed in order.Simply generating a checklist does not officially complete any of the steps to registering your business with any Pennsylvania agency on your behalf.
Please refer to the Create a Business Checklist and Save your Progress help guide for additional assistance.
If you are asked to prove ownership of your business, you should be able to provide several pieces of information.

First, you should be able to provide copies of the initial Pennsylvania Department of State formation documents for your business as well as any EIN/FEIN awards letter you may have received from the IRS.

Second, you should have an operating agreement, corporate bylaws, partnership agreement, or some other legally binding document that describes the business, any members/owners/partners and their percentage of ownership, as well as their roles and responsibilities.

Third, you should be able to provide any tax returns that may have been filed showing any profit/loss that has been attributed to you.

Finally, there should be no one else to dispute your claim as the owner of the business or your percentage of ownership.
The main benefits for certifying as a small diverse business come if you intend to perform government contracting work. Certifying as a small diverse business for government contracting purposes provides benefits related to contract bidding opportunities and awards. To learn more about certifying as a small diverse business in Pennsylvania, refer to the Pennsylvania Department of General Services Small Diverse Business Certification webpage.
There is a requirement for most business entities to file an annual report starting in 2025. For more information, please refer to the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Annual Reports in Pennsylvania website.
Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reports are a federal requirement that became effective in 2024. Most business entities will be required to file a BOI report. For more information about BOI reporting, please refer to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s BOI Reporting webpage.
All types of Limited Liability Companies (LLC) should create an Operating Agreement, agreed upon by each member. This agreement may be informal, but it is advisable to have a written agreement created by all parties, establishing ownership percentages, the roles and responsibilities of each member, profit and loss distribution, as well as other rules about the LLC. The operating agreement does not need to be filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State. However, when opening a bank account or applying for funding the operating agreement may be required to prove ownership of the LLC.
While it is advisable to have trusted legal counsel, an attorney is not required to register a business in Pennsylvania. All registration forms can be filed by the individual business owner/entrepreneur. You can obtain free legal assistance by contacting the Entrepreneurial Assistance Clinic through Penn State University.
Plan
When starting a new business or expanding an existing business it is important that you create a comprehensive business plan, which includes financial projections, cash flow and industry analysis, research of competitors and other market conditions, etc. Although plans differ in some content elements depending on the industry, the business plan template available on the Business One-Stop Shop website should provide a solid framework for creating your business plan. For one-on-one business planning assistance, contact your nearest Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) .
Yes, all business entity (e.g., LLC, For-Profit Corporations, Non-Profit Corporation, Limited Partnership) initial filings and amendments submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of State must include a physical Pennsylvania address verifiable by the United States Postal Service. A P.O. Box alone is not sufficient. This address is referred to as the Registered Office. A Registered Office can be your home address, physical business location, or a registered agent address.
A registered agent is not required. However, the Pennsylvania Department of State requires all business entity initial filings and amendments to include a registered office address. You can obtain the services of a registered agent, which is a third-party provider that charges a fee to use their address as your business’s Registered Office. This would typically be done when you do not want to use your home address (which becomes public information) or if you do not have a physical Pennsylvania location for operations.
You can create a checklist to obtain customized step-by-step instructions related to starting, amending, merging/acquiring, or closing a business. To do so, login or register at https://hub.business.pa.gov and click Checklists from the shortcut menu. On the following screen, click Create Your Checklist. Complete the screens as required and you will be provided a step-by-step guide. Go through each step of the guide to ensure you complete any necessary requirements. Checklists can be linked to specific business profiles or converted to a business profile if one didn’t exist previously. Once linked/converted to a business profile you can mark steps complete and save the checklist. Your checklist progress will also appear on your dashboard.
It is important that you consider the risks associated with your business. Obtaining business insurance can help mitigate those potential risks. It is always beneficial to learn more information about the various business insurance products that are available. We recommend that you consult with a knowledgeable insurance professional to discuss your business needs. Additional guidance related to business insurance can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance’s Business Insurance webpage.
You should reach out to your financial institution to determine the requirements to open a business bank account. At minimum, you will need to register with the Pennsylvania Department of State (fictitious name, LLC, corporation, etc.) and obtain a Federal Tax Identification Number (EIN/FEIN). You will need to provide the resulting documents to the bank as proof your business is registering. Some banks also have additional requirements, such as an operating agreement or corporate bylaws, good standing certificates, etc.
Register
The process to register a business in Pennsylvania varies based on several factors. To ensure you complete all required steps to properly register your business, we suggest creating a Business Registration Checklist . After answering a series of questions, you will be provided a step-by-step guide. Complete each step and you will be ready to operate. If you still have specific questions after completing your checklist, please contact the Business One-Stop Shop at business.dced@pa.gov. If you do not wish to create a customized checklist, you can find the general steps to register a business on the Business One-Stop Shop’s Basic Business Registration Overview webpage.
Please refer to the Register a PA Domestic LLC help guide for additional assistance with forming an LLC.
Sole Proprietors and general partnerships should register their business name by filing the Fictitious Name Registration. For more information on who is required to file a fictitious name, refer to the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Fictitious Names webpage.

A business entity (e.g., LLC, For Profit Corporation, Non-Profit Corporation, Limited Partnership) does not have to separately register a business name unless they plan to operate under a fictitious name. A business entity chooses a legal name when they submit the appropriate formation documents. Only if the business will be operating under a business name different than their legal business name will they also be required to register a fictitious name. For example, a business with the legal name ABC Company LLC wants to do business under XYZ Company. Simply dropping the designator does not require the registration of a fictitious name. For example, ABC Company LLC to ABC Company.
An FEIN/EIN is a Federal Tax Identification Number that is used for income tax purposes. Business entities (LLCs, Corporations, Partnerships) are required to obtain an FEIN/EIN from the IRS. Sole proprietors can use their Social Security Number (SSN) for income tax purposes but are encouraged to obtain an FEIN/EIN to protect their personally identifiable information. You can obtain an FEIN/EIN by accessing the IRS website. There is no fee.
If you made a mistake on a Pennsylvania Department of State filing, you will be required to correct the document based on how it was originally submitted. If you filed it online in Business Filing Services (BFS), you will be required to correct it online in BFS. If you mailed your filing, you will be required to correct it by mail. If you filed in BFS, you should log in to the same account you used to submit the filing and access My Work Queue. Within in My Work Queue you should see your filing. Under Actions, click Make a Correction. Make the necessary correction, save the information, and make sure that you re-submit it. If done properly, the Status will change back to Pending Review. There are no additional fees to submit a correction.

If you filed by paper, you should make the correction directly on the returned filing and then mail it back to the address indicated in the notice.
There is no general business license that all businesses are required to have in Pennsylvania. There might be a specific license based on your business activity . You can also find various business licensing reference guides within the Business One-Stop Help Center . If you determine that you need a specific business license you should apply directly with the agency that administers the license.
Please refer to the Hire Remote Employees in Pennsylvania help guide for additional assistance.
Operate
If you sell a taxable item or provide a taxable service, you will need a sales tax license to collect and remit sales tax, as well as claim resale exemptions to avoid sales tax on items you intend to resale. You can learn more about what is and what is not subject to Pennsylvania Sales Tax by referring to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s Retailer’s Information Guide . There is no fee to apply. You can obtain a sales tax license by completing an online business tax registration in the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s myPATH system. For assistance with registering in myPATH, refer to the Apply for State Business Taxes help guide and/or Obtaining State Tax Accounts video tutorial.
To file and pay sales tax, you must login to your myPATH user account. If you do not already have a myPATH user account, you should sign up for one from the myPATH homepage.
You can find My Work Queue within the logged-in version of the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Business Filing Services system. To get there, login at https://hub.business.pa.gov and then click the link to Business Filing Services from the Hub Dashboard. Once in Business Filing Services, click My Work Queue on the left. For additional assistance with accessing My Work Queue, refer to the Check a Status in BFS help guide.
The process to close a business in Pennsylvania varies based on several factors. To ensure you complete all required steps to properly close your business, we suggest creating a Business Closing Checklist . After answering a series of questions, you will be provided a step-by-step guide. Complete each step to properly close your business. If you still have specific questions after completing your checklist, please contact the Business One-Stop Shop at business.dced@pa.gov.
Sole proprietors and general partnerships that only have a fictitious name registration do not need to obtain tax clearance certificates. Limited Liability General Partnerships are also not required to obtain tax clearance certificates to close. If you have a business entity (e.g., LLC, For-Profit Corporation, Non-Profit Corporation, Limited Partnership) and conducted business, then you will be required to obtain tax clearance certificates. The tax clearance certificates are required to be included as attachments to the appropriate document necessary to close your business type with the Pennsylvania Department of State. If you only formed a business entity and never conducted business you can complete the appropriate voluntary closure form, which does not require tax clearance certificates.

You can obtain tax clearance certificates by completing form REV-181. Refer to the REV-181 Instructions for more information about requesting tax clearance certificates. If you are required to obtain tax clearance certificates based on the previously mentioned criteria, you must obtain one from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and one from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry even if you never had business tax accounts.
The process to amend a business in Pennsylvania varies based on several factors. To ensure you complete all required steps to properly amend your business, we suggest creating a Business Amending Checklist . After answering a series of questions, you will be provided a step-by-step guide. Complete each step to properly amend your business. If you still have specific questions after completing your checklist, please contact the Business One-Stop Shop at business.dced@pa.gov.
You can update your registered office address with the Pennsylvania Department of State by completing the Change of Registered Office form. Sole proprietors and general partnerships that only have a fictitious name registration will need to file a Fictitious Name Amendment. Foreign registered entities must file a Foreign Registration Statement Amendment. The Change of Registered Office Form, Fictitious Name Amendment, and Foreign Registration Statement can be filed online through the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Business Filing Services. To get started, login or register through the Business One-Stop Shop Hub at https://hub.business.pa.gov .

Separately, if you have business tax accounts with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (e.g., sales tax, employer withholding, etc.) you should update your address online through myPATH or by completing REV-1705r . If you have employees, you should also update your address with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry online through the Unemployment Compensation Management System (UCMS) . Additionally, if you are licensed/regulated through any other Federal/State/Local entities, be sure to update your address directly with them.

Finally, you can update the address associated with your Federal Tax Identification Number (EIN/FEIN) when you file your next business income tax return or by completing IRS Form 8822b .
You can purchase existing business documents in the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Business Filing Services (BFS) system. For assistance with purchasing existing documents in BFS, refer to the Purchase Business Documents in BFS help guide. Purchased documents are available right away unless they have been moved to microfilm. Documents that are contained on microfilms must be manually accessed and uploaded, resulting in a delay. Once purchased, you can view your order and download associated documents in My Orders Work Queue. For assistance with accessing My Orders Work Queue, refer to the Check a Status in BFS help guide.
If your personal legal name changes you should notify any government agencies through which you may be licensed/registered by following the steps below:

  • If you have business tax accounts (e.g., sales tax, employer withholding, etc.) you should update your name with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue by logging into your myPATH account or by completing REV-563 . Please be sure to provide verification of the name change (e.g., marriage certificate, etc.).
  • If you are an employer and have an unemployment compensation account, you should update your name with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry by logging into your UCMS account. Please be sure to provide verification of the name change (e.g., marriage certificate, etc.).
  • If you are a sole proprietor and have a fictitious name registration with the Pennsylvania Department of State, you should update the “interested party” associated with your fictitious name by completing the Fictitious Name Amendment form. For assistance with accessing the Fictitious Name Amendment in Business Filing Services, refer to the Amend an Existing Business in BFS help guide. There is a $70 fee.
  • If you have a business entity (Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, Corporations, Nonprofits) you do NOT need to update your registration with the Pennsylvania Department of State because they do not maintain business ownership information.
  • If you have a Federal Tax Identification Number (FEIN/EIN) you can update it with the Internal Revenue Service when you file your next income tax return or by completing IRS IRS Form 8822b . Please be sure to provide verification of the name change (e.g., marriage certificate, etc.).
  • You should notify any other government agencies through which you may be licensed/registered.
  • Update your name through your bank/insurance provider. Please be sure to provide verification of the name change (e.g., marriage certificate, etc.).
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