General Business: Getting a Businesss Licence
Overview A business license indicates to your customers that you have met the City’s licensing requirements. You do not always need a business license, but if in doubt, call the Cityat 986-2171 and tell them about your business. Some licenses may require additional inspections or approvals from:
Some businesses that do not have a premises or location need to be licensed, including direct sellers, hawkers, tradesmen, entertainers, food services. The cost of the license is based on the cost of performing the appropriate inspections and approvals (not on the square feet occupied or invested capital). If the business owns real property (buildings or land), it will also have to pay property taxes which support city operations and public schools. You may also have to pay business taxes on your business premises, on top of your property taxes. These taxes are based on property valuation, and if you are a tenant of the premises (rather than the owner) your allocation, if so provided for in the lease, is based on the square feet you occupy or lease. If you move, you need to re-apply for a new license and get all the appropriate approvals. If you sell your business, then the new owners must re-apply for their license and obtain their own approvals since licenses are not transferable. License fees are not refundable. Other New Business Issues Trade names are not registered with the city but with Manitoba Consumer & Corporate Affairs (204) 945-2500. You do not need be incorporated for a business license, but should check with your lawyer or accountant if there are other reasons to do so. To incorporate a business contact Manitoba Consumer & Corporate Affairs (204) 945-2500. You should also get a Business Identification Number (BIN) from Revenue Canada, which is also your GST number (no expenses qualify for a GST refund until you have a number!!). If you expect gross revenues over $30,000 you are required to collect and remit GST, and need a BIN number. Contact Revenue Canada, Taxation, GST at 1-800-959-5525. Licenses for home-based businesses You may wish to locate a business in your home for reasons including convenience and economy, so long as it is one of the Permitted Home Occupations. Some permitted examples are: artists and small-scale craft-work, tailoring and related professions, teaching classes of four people or less, lawyers, insurance agents, physician or dentistry, photography and small precision machine repair. There are some rules that will limit the operation of your business. For example, you may only hire people who live in your house. You can contact the City of Winnipeg Zoning Development Branch at 395 Main Street, (204) 986 - 5140. You must pay an annual home occupation fee of $125 dollars (since July 1996), and complete a Licence in Lieu of Business Tax and Home Occupation Application Form at the Zoning Development Branch. If your business is not one of the permitted home occupations then you will probably need to get Conditional Approval, which has a required fee ($150+GST. It typically takes 4-6 weeks to get approval. Some businesses cannot be carried on from the home, including an office related to any type of adult entertainment, a swimming pool, towing operation, or any office facility that uses radio transmission equipment.
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