State Guide

New York Business License

This guide covers New York's general business license requirements — state-level registration, local city and county licenses, fees, and renewal timelines.

Get Free Licensing Guide

Overview

New York State does not have a single general business license, but businesses selling taxable goods or services must obtain a Certificate of Authority from the NY Department of Taxation and Finance before making taxable sales.

New York City has its own extensive business licensing system through the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Many NYC business types require a specific NYC license. Local counties in upstate New York have their own requirements.

New York Certificate of Authority (Sales Tax)

Primary agencyNYS Department of Taxation and Finance
Legal authorityTax Law § 1134
Key noteCertificate of Authority required for businesses making taxable sales in NY; obtain at least 20 days before first sale.

Initial Registration

Filing methodOnline at NY Business Express portal
Agency feeNo fee
NotesMust be obtained at least 20 days before first taxable sale.

Registration Renewal

Filing methodCertificate does not expire; file sales tax returns quarterly
Due dateReturns due quarterly (March, June, September, December)

Local General Business Licenses

NYC has one of the most complex local business licensing systems in the country. Many business types require a specific NYC license from DCWP.

Counties

Albany CountyAllegany CountyBronx CountyBroome CountyCattaraugus CountyCayuga CountyChautauqua CountyChemung CountyChenango CountyClinton CountyColumbia CountyCortland CountyDelaware CountyDutchess CountyErie CountyEssex CountyFranklin CountyFulton CountyGenesee CountyGreene CountyHamilton CountyHerkimer CountyJefferson CountyKings CountyLewis CountyLivingston CountyMadison CountyMonroe CountyMontgomery CountyNassau CountyNew York CountyNiagara CountyOneida CountyOnondaga CountyOntario CountyOrange CountyOrleans CountyOswego CountyOtsego CountyPutnam CountyQueens CountyRensselaer CountyRichmond CountyRockland CountySaratoga CountySchenectady CountySchoharie CountySchuyler CountySeneca CountySt. Lawrence CountySteuben CountySuffolk CountySullivan CountyTioga CountyTompkins CountyUlster CountyWarren CountyWashington CountyWayne CountyWestchester CountyWyoming CountyYates County

Cities & Townships

AlbanyAmherstAmsterdamArcadiaAuburnAuroraBabylonBallstonBataviaBathBeaconBedfordBeekmanBethlehemBinghamtonBlooming GroveBrighton Town (Monroe County)BronxBrookhavenBrooklynBrunswickBuffaloCamillusCanandaiguaCanandaiguaCantonCarmelCatskillCheektowagaChenangoChester Town (Orange County)ChiliCiceroClarenceClarkstownClayClifton ParkCohoesColonieCorningCornwallCortlandCortlandtDe WittDrydenDunkirkEast FishkillEast GreenbushEast HamptonEastchesterElmaElmiraEvansFallsburgFarmingtonFishkillFultonGatesGeddesGeneseoGeneva City (Ontario County)German FlattsGlen CoveGlens FallsGlenvilleGloversvilleGoshenGrand IslandGreeceGreenburghGuilderlandHalfmoonHamburgHarrisonHaverstrawHempsteadHenriettaHighlandsHorseheadsHuntingtonHyde ParkIrondequoitIslipIthacaIthacaJamestownKentKingsburyKingstonKirklandLackawannaLagrangeLancasterLansingLe RayLewisboroLewistonLibertyLloydLockportLockportLong BeachLysanderMaloneMaltaMamakatingMamaroneckManhattanManliusMassenaMiddletownMiltonMonroeMontgomeryMoreauMount KiscoMount PleasantMount VernonNew CastleNew HartfordNew PaltzNew RochelleNew WindsorNew YorkNewburghNewburghNiagara FallsNiskayunaNorth CastleNorth GreenbushNorth HempsteadNorth TonawandaOgdenOgdensburgOleanOneidaOneontaOnondagaOntarioOrangetownOrchard ParkOssiningOswegoOwegoOyster BayPalm TreeParmaPattersonPeekskillPelhamPenfieldPerintonPittsfordPlattekillPlattsburghPlattsburghPomfretPotsdamPoughkeepsiePoughkeepsiePutnam ValleyQueensQueensburyRamapoRiverheadRochesterRomeRotterdamRyeRyeSalinaSaratoga SpringsSaugertiesScarsdaleSchenectadySchodackShawangunkSmithtownSomersSouthamptonSoutheastSoutholdStaten IslandStony PointSullivanSwedenSyracuseThompsonTonawandaTonawandaTroyUlsterUnionUticaVan BurenVestalVictorWallkillWappingerWarwickWatertownWatervlietWawarsingWebsterWest SenecaWheatfieldWhite PlainsWhitestownWiltonWoodburyYonkersYorktown

EntityEngine does not provide tax, financial, or legal advice. Requirements change — always verify with the issuing agency. Confirm with NYS Department of Taxation and Finance →

Frequently Asked Questions

Track your New York licenses automatically.

EntityEngine tracks every license, deadline, and renewal — so nothing expires without you knowing.

Start Free Pricing and Packaging