Texas Secretary of State: Everything You Should Know

 

 

What is the Texas Secretary of State Do?

The Texas Secretary of States is the chief elections officer of the state of Texas. She/he oversees the election process, including voter registration, voting procedures (such as absentee ballots), voting designs, and recounting votes. In addition, he/she serves as the official custodian of the state’s election records.

The Texas Secretary of State can help business license applicants with a new online system that will allow them to apply for licenses and renewals in minutes.

The new system, called eLicense, is the first step toward creating an electronic application process for all state agencies. The goal is to streamline the licensing process by eliminating paper applications and making it easier for businesses to access their information.

The office was created in 1846 under the provisions of the Constitution of 1845. Its first secretary was John W. Moore. Since then, the position has been held by many notable Texans, including former Governor Dan Moody, who served from 1939-1941; former U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen, who served from 1971-1987; and current Secretary of State Hope Andrade, who assumed her post in January 2019.

The current officeholder is Michael McCaul, who took over after his predecessor, David Whitley, resigned amid controversy surrounding his handling of Hurricane Harvey relief funds.

The Secretary of State has no specific powers, although he/she may perform administrative duties delegated to him/her by law. These duties include overseeing the state’s public school system and administering the state lottery.

How can the Texas Secretary of State help business

1. Business Registration

The Texas Secretary of State’s office provides businesses with various services, including filing forms, registering trademarks, and verifying licenses.

2. Business filings

If you’re starting a business in Texas, you’ll need to file some documents at the county level before you open your doors.

3. Tax payments

You may have heard that Texas doesn’t collect sales tax; however, that isn’t entirely true. Local governments in the state charge a 6% sales tax on purchases. To avoid surprises, get a copy of your city’s sales tax rate from the city clerk’s office.

4. Licenses

You’ll first need a seller’s permit to start selling products in stores.

 

Create your LLC Corporation with just 3 easy steps

 

How to get LLC in Texas Secretary of state

1. Get a business license

The first step to getting started with any type of business is obtaining a business license. You will need to file for a federal tax ID number (EIN) if you plan on doing business online. If you do not have a federal EIN, you may still be able to obtain a temporary EIN until you apply for a permanent one.

2. File Articles of Organization

Once you have obtained a business license, you will then need to file articles of organization with the secretary of state’s office. These documents will allow you to officially register your company name.

3. Register DBA Name

You will also need to register your business under a fictitious business name. A DBA is short for Doing Business As. Once registered, you will need to pay a fee to renew your registration each year.

4. Pay Sales Tax

If you sell products or services to customers in Texas, you will need to collect sales tax from them. To avoid paying sales tax twice, make sure you charge enough money upfront to cover the amount owed.

5. Open Bank Account

To receive client payments, you will need to open a bank account. Banks generally require at least $25,000 in deposits before issuing a business checking account.

6. Apply for Franchise Tax Number

To operate legally as a franchisee, you will need to apply for a Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN). The IRS issued this number and is necessary to properly report income earned from selling franchises.

7. Obtain Insurance

You should obtain liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and general commercial insurance. Liability insurance covers damages caused by third parties, while workers’ comp provides coverage for employees injured on the job. General commercial insurance helps protect your business against theft and fire.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LLC Needed in Texas?

LLCs are not necessary for Texas. You do need to have a business license, though. However, you can get one online and it is free.

You will also need to register with the State of Texas if you want to sell your products in retail stores. This process is called “doing business as” or DBA registration. It is very easy to do and takes about 5 minutes.

How long does LLC last in Texas

In order to start a business entity in Texas, you need to file Articles of Organization (AO) with the Secretary of State’s office. You may choose between two types of AOs: Limited Liability Company (LLC), and Domestic Limited Liability Company (DLLC). Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

The first thing to know about filing an LLC in Texas is that if you want to operate as a sole proprietor, then you should use a DLLC. If you plan to hire employees, then you should consider using an LLC.

If you decide to go with a DLLC, you’ll need to pay $100 to register your company name. Once registered, you’ll need to file a certificate of formation with the Secretary of State. In addition to the $100 fee, you’ll need to submit a copy of your articles of organization along with a completed application.

For an LLC, you’ll need to complete a separate registration with the state. There are no fees associated with registering an LLC, however, you’ll need to provide proof of at least three members who own at least 51% of the company. Each member will need to sign a document stating they agree to be bound by the terms of the articles of organization.

Once you’ve filed your articles of organization, you’ll need to apply for a tax ID number. To do this, you’ll need to fill out a form called Form TX-BK-06. You’ll need to attach copies of your articles of organization and any supporting documents. After submitting the forms, you’ll receive a letter confirming that your application was received and accepted.

After receiving approval, you’ll need to wait 30 days before being issued a temporary tax identification number. You’ll need to keep this number until you get your permanent tax ID number.

You’ll need to renew your temporary tax ID number each year. You’ll need to send in a renewal request along with a check for $25.00. Your temporary tax ID number expires after five years.

To obtain a permanent tax ID number, you’ll need to visit the Tax Office website and follow the instructions. You’ll need to provide your current address, the name of your business, and the type of business you’re operating. You’ll also need to provide a copy of your articles and a signed statement from each owner indicating that he/she agrees to be bound by the provisions of the articles.

Your permanent tax ID number will take approximately four weeks to issue. When it arrives, you’ll need to make sure it’s not expired. You’ll need to contact the Tax Office to renew it if it is.

When you’re ready to open a bank account, you’ll need to find a financial institution that accepts businesses. Most banks offer online banking services, which makes it easier than ever to manage your finances.

There are several things to keep in mind when opening a business checking account. First, you’ll need to set up direct deposit. Direct deposit means you won’t have to worry about depositing checks manually. Second, you’ll need to ensure that your business name appears on the account. Third, you’ll need to verify your identity. Finally, you’ll need to establish a line of credit.

As soon as you open your business checking account, you’ll need a debit card. Debit cards allow you to access funds directly from your checking account. You’ll need to make sure that you don’t exceed your limit.

You’ll also need to create a payroll system. Payroll systems help you track employee hours and wages. You’ll need to determine how much money you’ll need to withhold from each paycheck. You’ll also need a way to record deductions and credits.

Finally, you’ll need to purchase insurance. Insurance helps protect your business from losses caused by theft, fire, natural disasters, and lawsuits. You’ll need to select coverage based on what risks your business faces.