How to Start Up a Business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- 1). Research the current demographics for Pittsburgh. According to City-Data.com, in 2008 Pittsburgh had a population of more than 300,000 and 52 percent of the residents were female. The 2008 estimated median income per household was $36,709, nearly $15,000 less than the average for the state of Pennsylvania. Having this information is an important part of determining your target market in Pittsburgh.
- 2). Take the Pennsylvania Open for Business Online Business Registration Interview (OBRI) to determine what forms you need to register your business in the state of Pennsylvania.
- 3). Submit your business registration to the Pennsylvania Department of State office. Strict guidelines are in place and available online (see Resources) regarding the registration documents you submit. Some of these guidelines include the use of the forms provided by the Department of State or, if you submit your own registration form, make sure it is on 8.5-inch by 11-inch white paper. You also must type or legibly write out your responses in blue or black ink and provide a physical address for the business (no post office box).
- 4). Apply for state tax accounts, such as sales tax, employer withholdings or unemployment compensation tax, using the Online PA-100 system (see Resources).
- 5). Meet all state-enforced licensing requirements for your particular type of business. The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs Division of the Pennsylvania Department of State provides a full list of occupations that must obtain licenses and details on the process for each. Some businesses that require licensing include accountants, landscape architects and real estate agents.
- 6). Contact the Pittsburgh Bureau of Building Inspection, Business Licensing Division to apply for the appropriate local licenses and permits for your company.
Bureau of Building Inspection
200 Ross St., 3rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-255-2858
BBI_DPWRequests@city.pittsburgh.pa.us - 7). Submit the New Business Registration form (available online or by calling 412-255-2543) to the Pittsburgh Treasurer's Office. The city requires anyone that conducts business proceedings within the city limits to submit this form.
- 8). Withhold City and School District Wage Tax from the wages of employees who live within the Pittsburgh city limits. Similar tax withholdings apply to people who work in Pittsburgh but live outside the city or state of Pennsylvania.
