Right Start Critical Tasks

Small Business Development Center

Right Start – Critical Tasks

Setup Requirements:

Secretary of State – Articles, Trade Name or Authority

Internal Revenue Service:   Form SS-4 – Employer Identification Number (EIN)

                        Form 2553 – S Corporation election

                        Form 8832 – Change Entity Classification

                        Form 1023 or 1024 – Tax-Exempt status application

Colorado Dept of Revenue – Business Registration

Colorado Dept of Labor & Employment – Unemployment ID#

City & County:     Sales/Use Tax License Application

        Business Permitting & Licensure

Colorado Dept of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) – Professional Licensing

U.S. Patent & Trademark Office – trade name, trademark or service mark registration

Legal Document Requirements:

Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization or Statement of Registration

Bylaws or Operating Agreement or Partnership Agreement

Buy-Sell Agreement (multi-owner venture)

Employment Agreement(s)

Employee Handbook

Lease Agreement

Franchisee Agreement

Corporate Record Book:     Stock Certificates

 Stockholder Agreement

 Board Resolutions

 First Minutes

Periodic Filing Requirements:

Annual Report – Secretary of State

Income Tax Return (990, 1120, 1120S, 1065, Schedule C, Schedule E or Schedule F)

Payroll Tax Returns:         Federal Withholding – 941 (quarterly) or 944 (annual)

 State Withholding – DR1094 (quarterly)

 Federal Unemployment – 940 or 940-EZ (annual)

 State Unemployment – UITR-1 and UITR-1a (quarterly)

 Federal Payroll Tax Deposit – 8109-B (semi-weekly or monthly)

 W-3/W-2s (Federal) and DR1093/W-2s (State)

 1096/1099s

Sales & Use Tax Returns:       State of Colorado / Larimer County (monthly, quarterly or annual)

 Cities of Fort Collins and Loveland (monthly, quarterly or annual)

Enterprise Zone Certification – Larimer County - DR0074 (annual)

Commercial Personal Property Declaration Schedule – Larimer County (annual)

Employee Benefit Plan Returns (retirement and insurance plans) – IRS - Form 5500 (annual)

Business Asset Acquisition Statement – IRS - Form 8594 (one-time)

Workforce Documentation Requirements:

Employees:            W-4

             Federal – Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9)

             State – Affirmation of Legal Work Status

Contractors:          W-9

Insurance Requirements:

General Liability                                                   Property

Professional Liability / Malpractice                  Workers Comp

Errors & Omissions                                             Employee Benefits