Connecticut · Town-by-town

Starting a Business in Connecticut: Town-by-Town Guides

Starting a business in CT takes two sets of steps. The state ones (your LLC, EIN, myconneCT tax registration and annual report) are the same everywhere. The local ones (a trade name certificate, zoning for a home business and the personal property declaration) depend on your town. Here is both.

Step 1: The state steps

Do these once, wherever in Connecticut you are.

NewFree toolCT Business Launch WizardAnswer a few questions and get your personal checklist: LLC filing, EIN, myconneCT and sales tax permit, town permits and bookkeeping.Start the wizard →GuideHow to Start an LLC in CTName search, the $120 filing, registered agent, EIN, CT tax registration and the annual report.Open guide →CalculatorCT Startup Cost CalculatorAdd up state fees, the annual report, a registered agent and software for year one.Open calculator →NewGuideConnecticut Sales Tax GuideGetting your $100 CT permit, the 6.35% rate and special rates, taxable services, Form OS-114 due dates, and filing and paying in myconneCT.Open guide →NewQuizDo I Need to Collect Sales Tax?Six quick questions for CT and NC sellers, service businesses and Airbnb hosts.Take the quiz →NewCalculatorCT & NC Sales Tax CalculatorAdd tax, back it out of a total, or estimate what’s due this period, with all 100 NC county rates.Open calculator →

Step 2: Your town

Local checklists with the town clerk, zoning and assessor steps for each city.

NewTown guideStarting a Business in Danbury, CTTrade name (DBA) filing, home business zoning, the personal property declaration and the Danbury offices to contact.Open checklist →NewTown guideStarting a Business in Shelton, CTTrade name (DBA) filing, home business zoning, the personal property declaration and the Shelton offices to contact.Open checklist →NewTown guideStarting a Business in Bridgeport, CTTrade name (DBA) filing, home business zoning, the personal property declaration and the Bridgeport offices to contact.Open checklist →NewTown guideStarting a Business in Stamford, CTTrade name (DBA) filing, home business zoning, the personal property declaration and the Stamford offices to contact.Open checklist →NewTown guideStarting a Business in Norwalk, CTTrade name (DBA) filing, home business zoning, the personal property declaration and the Norwalk offices to contact.Open checklist →NewTown guideStarting a Business in New Haven, CTTrade name (DBA) filing, home business zoning, the personal property declaration and the New Haven offices to contact.Open checklist →

Don’t see your town? The state steps above are the same everywhere in Connecticut. For the local ones, check with your town clerk (trade name), zoning office (home business rules) and assessor (personal property declaration, due each year by November 1).

Step 3: Your first year

Once you’re open, these keep your first tax season calm.

NewEmail courseYour First Tax Season as a Business OwnerA free 6-lesson email course: records, 1099s, deductions, self-employment tax, estimates and CT due dates.Join the course →NewOrganizerFree First-Year Tax OrganizerPDF and Excel workbook for income, expenses, mileage, estimated payments and documents.Get the organizer →NewEmail remindersTax Deadline RemindersFree email reminders before each federal and CT due date, including the CT annual report.Sign up →NewGuideHire an Employee or Contractor?W-2 vs. 1099 in Connecticut, with 2026 payroll costs and the CT ABC test.Open guide →

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General education only, not tax, legal, investment, or insurance advice.