Online store licenses
in Houston, Texas
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
The business is an online store located in Houston, Texas, operating from a home without a storefront or employees, selling tangible goods. State and federal obligations apply alongside local filings triggered by the operating name, activities and location. This guide does not establish whether a general Harris County business license or occupational registration is required. BOI reporting depends on formation country; U.S.-formed entities are exempt.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- Federal
- Federal Government
- State
- Texas
- County
- Harris County
- City
- City of Houston
Details to confirm before you apply
- Will the owner form an LLC or operate as a sole proprietorship?
- What specific tangible goods will be sold?
- Does the owner plan to use a trade name different from their legal name?
- Are there any private deed restrictions that may affect the home business?
- Will the owner hire employees in the future?
- Is a secondhand reseller license needed if selling used goods?
- Does Harris County require a general business license, business tax receipt, or occupational registration for this exact operation and address? The reviewed sources do not establish an exemption.
- Where was or will the business entity be formed, and if formed under foreign-country law, what U.S. registration and BOI exemptions apply?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: Home occupation rules. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 6- 01Texas Sales and Use Tax PermitTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas
The business sells tangible personal property in Texas, which requires a sales and use tax permit to collect and remit sales tax.
RequiredNo renewal cycle published; the permit remains active while the business operates and must be closed when the business ends - 02Employer Identification Number (EIN)Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
The business will pay sales tax and will likely form an LLC or hire employees, and an EIN is the identifier used for those tax accounts.
RequiredNone (one-time; EIN does not expire) - 03Texas business entity registration (Certificate of Formation)Texas Secretary of State · Texas
Required if the owner chooses to form an LLC or corporation.
ConditionalNone (one-time formation; no annual SOS report for LLCs) - 04Assumed Name Certificate (DBA)Texas Secretary of State · Texas
Required if the store operates under a trade/brand name different from the owner's legal name.
ConditionalTerm up to 10 years; renew by filing a new certificate within 6 months of expiration - 05Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) with Harris County ClerkHarris County Clerk – Personal Records Department · County
Required if the business will operate under any name that is not the owner's full legal name.
ConditionalCertificate valid for 1 to 10 years; refile before the term ends to avoid lapse. - 06BOI report for a foreign-country entityFinancial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), U.S. Department of the Treasury · Federal
Only if the entity is formed under foreign-country law, registered to do business in a U.S. state or Tribal jurisdiction, and not otherwise exempt. U.S.-formed entities are exempt.
ConditionalNo annual renewal; updates and corrections when required
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Not required for this example
- City of Houston General Business License — Houston does not issue a general business license.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should an online store in Houston check?
The research marks City of Houston General Business License, issued by City of Houston, as not required for this setup. Houston does not issue a general business license. Check the other city permits in this guide and confirm the requirements for your premises and activities.
How much do licenses and permits cost for an online store in Houston?
Most fees vary by item; see report. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Texas business entity registration (Certificate of Formation) (if applicable) (Texas Secretary of State), then Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) (if applicable) (Texas Secretary of State). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical online store. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.