99% of new businesses are required to get a(n) , Houston business tax id registration (business license).
Businesses with an trade firm name other than the owner's legal name are required to get a(n) Fort Bend County DBA ( doing business as ) fictitious business name.
You may also need a resale license if you selling touchable items. (A.K.A TX seller's permit, state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate).
Also keep in mind that employers will need to obtain a federal EIN and a State EIN tax identificattion number. I.e., a TX Federal Tax Id Number and a(n) TX State Employer Tax Number
Instead of filing an Assumed Trade Firm business name ("DBA" Doing Business As) in Houston, set up a coporation in TX or set up a(n) TX LLC
Here's How to Get Your TX Seller's Permit and Other permits and Registrations You May Need.
TX Seller's Permit, LLC, DBA, Licenses & Tax IDs Requirements:
✅ Obtain all licenses and registrations here online
🛍️ The women’s accessories market is a multi-billion-dollar runway of glitter, leather, beads, and style. From handbags to headbands, this fashion-forward sector is expected to surpass $300 billion globally by 2026.
👗 Handbags alone? Over $80 billion worldwide. And that doesn’t even include the emotional support value of a well-structured tote.
💍 Jewelry? Growing at over 5% annually, driven by online sales and…Instagram envy.
Do I need a seller’s permit to sell online only?
✅ Yes. If you sell physical products—whether through Etsy, your own site, or a virtual trunk show—you’ll need a seller’s permit to collect and remit sales tax (unless you're in a jurisdiction that doesn’t require it).
Accessories may be small, but the market? Huge. Whether you’re curating boho earrings, importing silk scarves, or crafting one-of-a-kind clutches from upcycled denim, make sure the paperwork shines as much as your inventory.
Obtain all licenses and registrations here online.
The Texas state sales and use tax rate is 6.25% since 1990, but local taxing jurisdictions (cities, counties, special purpose districts, and transit authorities, but specifically not including school districts) may also impose sales and use taxes up to 2% for a total of 8.25%.The main items exempt from Sales Tax (get Seller's Permit) include medicines (prescription and over-the-counter), food and food seeds (but prepared food, such as from a restaurant, is subject to Sales Tax (get Seller's Permit) ).
Motor vehicle and boat sales are taxed at only the 6.25% state rate; there is no local sales and use tax on these items. In addition, a motor vehicle or boat purchased outside the state is assessed a use tax at the same rate as one purchased inside the state. The Sales Tax (get Seller's Permit) is calculated on the greater of either the actual purchase price or the "standard presumptive value" of the vehicle, as determined by the state, except for certain purchases (mainly purchases from licensed dealers or from auctions).
Lodging rates are subject to a 6% rate at the state level, with local entities being allowed to charge additional amounts. For example, the city of Austin levies a 9% hotel/motel tax, bringing the total to 15%, trailing only Houston for the highest total lodging tax statewide, at 17%.Lodging for travelers on official government business is specifically exempt from tax but the traveler must submit an exemption form to the hotel/motel and provide proof of official status.
If merchants file and pay their sales and use tax on time, they may subtract 1/2 percent of the tax collected as a discount, to encourage prompt payment and to compensate the merchant for collecting the tax from consumers for the state.
Texas provides one Sales Tax (get Seller's Permit) holiday per year (generally in August prior to the start of the school year, running from Friday to Sunday of the designated weekend). Clothing less than $100 (except for certain items, such as golf shoes) and school supplies are exempt from all Sales Tax (get Seller's Permit) (state and local) on this one weekend only. There has also been talk of a tax free weekend in December to help with the Holiday shopping season.
First decide on a business structure Ecommerce as a Sole Proprietor, LLC/Corp, or Partnership.
✔ Step 2 All Ecommerce Businesses need a , Business tax registration also called an occupation business License ✔ Step 3 Selling/Leasing or if wanting to buy or sell Ecommerce merchandise, food, equipment requires a Seller's Permit. ✔ Step 4 All Ecommerce Businesses Using a DBA doing business as name need a DBA Fictitious Business Name ✔ Step 5 Hiring Ecommerce Workers Requires a Federal EIN and a State Tax Number EIN
Selling/Leasing or if wanting to buy or sell Ecommerce merchandise, food, equipment requires a Seller's Permit.
All Ecommerce Businesses Using a DBA doing business as name need a DBA Fictitious Business Name
Hiring Ecommerce Workers Requires a Federal EIN and a State Tax Number EIN
As of 7/3/2025 5:07:19 AM, you can obtain your HOUSTON seller's permit here at $39 plus any tax you may have to pay in advance. To set up your reseller license is inexpensive but starting your business may cost you about (figures vary depending on area and type of business ) $58572.74 or $6677042.66 depending on your start up money. Getting a license in HOUSTON HARRIS HOUSTON, 77042 You will have many potential clients in this city. In fact, as much as 36282 but about 20237 are families in this area in TX. In addition, getting a 281/713/83 cell phone area code may help increase the idea that you operate from the city because you can text your clients as a local vendor (remember, everyone is texting these days). You can lease a space to operate your business from but if buying a house, the prices are (about $ 77042 153700 avergage value) , which you can use as a home operated business as well.
Your actual location in HOUSTON will be your business address. E.g., your business location could be 638 HOUSTON Road/Avenue or 66TH Way/Ct or HOUSTON, TX . Operating from a 77042 P.O. Box location purported as your business mailing address. E.g. P.O Box 64185 HOUSTON,TX 77042 . However this turns out, in 1729 considering demographics is intelligent. For example,
before iinvesting in getting a wholesale license there, there are about 22777, Whites, 7578 Hispanics, and 5857 Blacks in the 77042 area. Another important consideration is that of the residents' income in the wingspan of your business location. Each family here earns about $41683 per household and has about 2.74 residents per family. However, is the weather nice? Consider that the altitude is 38 feet, and you getting a seller's license in 6 time zone.