Starting a New Business

From great idea to grand opening, the Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce helps businesse

s start, grow and thrive in Nassau County.

The Chamber provides demographic information, connects you with financing options and other critical resources you need to succeed. We offer employee recruitment assistance, including posting job openings and providing meeting and conference space. Our networking opportunities help you make valuable connections with other local business owners and professionals. And when you open your doors, the Chamber will be there with a red ribbon to celebrate.

Start-up check-list

Write a business plan

A business plan is essential to starting and running a business and often is required when applying for loans and seeking investors. Detail the business’ purpose, goals and how you will achieve them.

Choose a location

Considerations include proximity to potential customers, ease of access and zoning restrictions. The Chamber will help you navigate the local permitting process and locate commercial space.

Obtain financing

The Chamber can connect you with banks and credit unions that finance small businesses as well as provide information on federal and state financing, including programs for minority, veteran and women entrepreneurs.

Choose a legal structure

The most common business structures are Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, Corporations, S Corporations and Limited Liability Companies.

Register your business name

To do business in Florida, you need to register your company with the state and obtain a bank account for the company. You are required to do these steps even if you have an online or at-home business.

Get a tax ID

All businesses -- except sole proprietorships with no employees -- must apply to the IRS for a federal employer identification number.

Register for taxes

Before you begin business, you must first find out if your business activity or products used are subject to sales or use tax. If it is, you must register with the Florida Department of Revenue to collect those taxes. Additionally, all counties tax the personal property or business equipment of businesses.

Personal Property Tax

All counties tax the personal property or business equipment of businesses.

Business Tax Receipts

Nassau County does not require Local Business Tax Receipts, often referred to as business licenses. Callahan, Fernandina Beach and Hilliard, however, require businesses in their municipal limits to obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt. Additionally, Fernandina Beach requires all storefront businesses to carry liability insurance with the city as the certificate holder.

Get licenses and permits

A variety of businesses and professions are required to obtain specific licenses issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Some professionals may be licensed through other agencies including the Department of Financial Services, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and the Department of Health.

Report employees

If you have employees, you must report newly hired and re-hired employees to the Florida New Hire Reporting Center. Employers must withhold from salaries of their employees for federal tax purposes as well as pay Social Security taxes. Most businesses with one or more employees must contribute to a federal fund that pays unemployment insurance to workers who have been laid off. Companies with four or more employees must pay into a state fund that compensates workers injured on the job.