The Complete Guide to Vermont Business Licenses
Vermont does not have a general business license. Sellers register for a free sales and use tax license, residential contractors register with the state, and towns handle zoning and local permits. This guide explains each step for a new Vermont business.
Step 1: Form the LLC
File Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State for $155. The $45 annual report is due within three months after your fiscal year ends, and LLCs pay a $250 minimum business entity tax. See the Vermont LLC guide for every formation step.
Step 2: Free sales and use tax license
Open a business tax account in myVTax with the Vermont Department of Taxes. The sales and use tax license is free by statute, and you need one for each location. The rate is 6%; towns such as Burlington add a 1% local option tax. Meals and rooms and withholding are separate accounts.
Step 3: Town requirements
Vermont towns regulate zoning, signs and some activities. Check with your town clerk before you sign a lease.
Step 4: Residential contractor registration
Residential contractors register with the Office of Professional Regulation for jobs of $10,000 or more. The fee is $75 for an individual or $250 for a business, renewed every two years. OPR also licenses many other professions.
Hiring staff and trade names
Employers register for withholding in myVTax and for unemployment insurance with the Vermont Department of Labor. A trade name must be registered with the Secretary of State within 10 days of starting business — $70, renewed every five years for $65.
Checklist
| Registration | Agency | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | Secretary of State | $155; $45 annual report |
| Sales and use tax license | Department of Taxes (myVTax) | Free |
| Residential contractor registration | Office of Professional Regulation | $75 or $250, every 2 years |
| Trade name | Secretary of State | $70 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Vermont require a business license?
No. Vermont has no general business license. Sellers need a free sales and use tax license, and residential contractors register with the state.
How much is a sales tax license in Vermont?
It is free, issued through myVTax; you need one for each location.
Do contractors need to register in Vermont?
Residential contractors register with the Office of Professional Regulation for jobs of $10,000 or more: $75 for an individual or $250 for a business.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Vermont?
The Articles of Organization cost $155, the annual report is $45, and LLCs pay a $250 minimum business entity tax.
How much is a trade name in Vermont?
$70 with the Secretary of State, renewed every five years for $65.