Starting a Business

Small Business Counseling

Tap into the free business consulting resources available in Harrisonburg.

• Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
  The mission of the SBDC is to advise, train and inform small businesses to help them achieve success. The SBDC can help you start, manage and grow your business.

Choose a Structure

A business becomes a ‘legal entity’ meaning that it can own property, can hold bank accounts, and pays taxes almost exactly as if it were a living citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia. There are several types, however, each with its own benefits and limitations. While it can be changed later, it is far easier to make this decision correctly before going further.

The ‘right choice’ for you is truly dependent on your needs. Get to know the types and make a good decision for yourself. This decision impacts taxes, the relationships between owners, and, legal liability. If the company is sued for personal injury, can the plaintiff sue you personally and take your house, car, and bank accounts? These are important considerations.

Sole Proprietorships are usually owned by a single person or a couple. You’re personally liable for all business debts, can freely transfer all or part of the business, and for taxes, you can report profit or loss as personal income.

Limited Liability Companies (LLC’s) are very popular. You have limited legal liability like a full corporation however, for taxes they’re more like Sole Proprietorships or Partnerships.

General Partnerships let you share profit, loss, and managerial duties among the partners, and each is personally liable for any debt entirely. Members file an informational tax return and income/loss is filed personally. (“Joint Ventures” are short-term partnerships.)

C-Corporations are distinct legal entities, taxed separately from their owners and are generally not favored to own assets that substantially appreciate in value.  While they protect against personal liability, they do not have many of the tax and operating advantages of an LLC or limited partnership, except that lower tax rates may apply to annual net income below $75,000.

S-Corporations are not taxed as a separate legal entity and protect their owners against personal liability, but there are limitations on the number and type of eligible stockholders.  They also have certain less favorable tax and operating advantages than LLC’s.

Benefit Corporations are a form of stock corporation that incorporate aspects of nonprofit organizations.

Register Your Business and Its Name

Virginia offers an online registration system on this website that can accomplish this task for most users. If your business structure is too complicated for the online system, or if you are starting a non-profit organization, the forms must be filled out and filed manually with the State Corporation Commission, a lawyer can help you with this. Virginia’s Business Information Hotline can assist: 866-248-8814.

• Check to make sure your company name isn’t taken, and register your name and trademarks with the federal government.
• For more information about the registration process, including information for more complex business structures complete with forms and look up tables, this commission is the authority.
• For most businesses, the online registration tool, found here, can handle this part for you.
• You should always consult a lawyer if you still have questions.
• You can register for SWaM certification if you are a small business (under 250 employees, $10M revenue), woman-owned, or minority owned.

Get Your Tax Numbers

The same way a person has a Social Security Number, a business has federal and state tax numbers.

• The online registration tool, found here, can assist you with obtaining your federal and state tax id’s.
• View forms required for each type of business structure.
• In Virginia some types of businesses require specific tax registration.

**The above information is compiled from Virginia’s Business One Stop.

Business Location

Harrisonburg Economic Development can help you find the right space for your business, big or small, retail, office or industrial space.

Permits

Determine which permits you will need to operate your business.  These may include building permits, sign permits, health inspection, fire inspection and others.  Economic Development can assist you in working with other city agencies.

Business License

All business and professional operations must purchase a business license before commencing operation in the City of Harrisonburg, including home based businesses. For business license information and application, visit the city’s Business License page.

Trade Name

Register your business trade name with the Rockingham County Circuit Court.

Networking Opportunities

Get out and meet people!  No matter what type or size business you have, Harrisonburg offers great opportunities for networking and growing your business connections.

• Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce
  The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber exists to connect area businesses into a powerful network through leadership and advocacy. The Chamber offers a variety of programs designed to meet the ever-changing needs of its member businesses.
• Shenandoah Valley Technology Council
  The Shenandoah Valley Tech Council brings together creators and users of technology for education, networking and business development.
• Shenandoah Valley Partnership
  The Shenandoah Valley Partnership brings together business, government, and education leaders to attract new business to the area, help existing businesses expand, and guide strategic workforce development to grow and sustain a healthy economic future for our region.