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 website, then you should consider registering your trade name and logo with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. You can perform the basic research at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website but will ultimately have to conduct a formal filing. The last thing that you want to have happened is to receive a letter from a lawyer telling you to stop using the name you have chosen because it is trademarked.

Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) (uspto.gov)

Step 3:

Choose and register your legal structure: The choices of legal structure for a business are:

• Sole Proprietorship*
• Partnership
• Limited Partnership
• Limited Liability Partnership
• Corporation (C-corporation) **
• Limited Liability Company

* Trademark filing is optional with the NM Secretary of State
** C-corporations that wish to elect S-corporation status should complete IRS Form 2553 once their C-corporation registration has been filed.

Step 4:

Employers Identification Number. 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 Office for CRS identification number at its website:

Taxpayer Access Point – State of New Mexico

Or visit their local office at:

NM Taxation & Revenue Department
10500 Copper Ave Suite C
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123
(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 fundraising
• Business solicitations at private residences or on public streets or sidewalks

View Treasury Division contact information

Step 8:

Submit your 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 laws require  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:

Contact the IRS and your State Taxation and Revenue Office or a tax accountant if you have employees 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, and  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
• Business motor vehicle

How to Start A Business — City of Albuquerque (cabq.gov)