Vendor setup
Register a business in Texas
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Texas. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Texas entities are formed with the Secretary of State. Since September 29, 2026, online filing runs through SOSPortal, which replaced SOSDirect and SOSUpload and takes ACH or card. Mail and fax are still accepted. Texas Secretary of State, as of
Forming an LLC
- A Texas LLC is formed by a Certificate of Formation (Form 205, revised 09/26) filed with the Secretary of State. Texas Secretary of State, as of
- Certificate of Formation filing fee: $300 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Texas Secretary of State, as of
- Optional expedite, standard rate, added: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Texas Secretary of State, as of
- Optional next-day expedite, added: $500 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Texas Secretary of State, as of
- Optional same-day expedite, added: $750 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Texas Secretary of State, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Texas for-profit corporation is formed by a Certificate of Formation (Form 201, revised 09/26) filed with the Secretary of State. Texas Secretary of State, as of
- Certificate of Formation filing fee: $300 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Texas Secretary of State, as of
- Optional expedite, standard rate, added: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Texas Secretary of State, as of
- Optional next-day expedite, added: $500 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Texas Secretary of State, as of
- Optional same-day expedite, added: $750 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Texas Secretary of State, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Each Texas corporation and LLC files a Franchise Tax Public Information Report (Form 05-102) with the Comptroller every year, due on the franchise tax due date, even when no franchise tax is owed. Failing to file can forfeit the entity’s right to transact business. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- Texas corporations and LLCs file an Assumed Name Certificate (Form 503) with the Secretary of State. The form lists the counties where the name is used and a 10-year use period. Texas Secretary of State, as of
- Assumed Name Certificate filing fee: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Texas Secretary of State, as of
State tax registration
- Texas businesses apply for a sales tax permit through the Comptroller of Public Accounts, which also administers franchise tax. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Texas Department of State Health Services rules (25 TAC section 265.194(b)) require all Class A, B and C pools and spas to operate under a trained, certified operator, who need not be on site and may cover several pools. Class C names property owner associations. Texas Department of State Health Services, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Business Services Texas Secretary of State. As of .
- Form 205 Certificate of Formation Limited Liability Company (Rev. 09/26) Texas Secretary of State. As of .
- Form 806 Fee Schedule (Rev. 09/26) Texas Secretary of State. As of .
- Form 201 Certificate of Formation For-Profit Corporation (Rev. 09/26) Texas Secretary of State. As of .
- Texas Franchise Tax Public Information Report (PIR) and Ownership Information Report (OIR) Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. As of .
- Form 503 Assumed Name Certificate (Rev. 09/26) Texas Secretary of State. As of .
- Registering and Reporting Texas Sales and Use Tax Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. As of .
- 25 TAC Chapter 265, Subchapter L (Public Swimming Pools and Spas) Texas Department of State Health Services. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
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