How to Start a Business in North Carolina

January 31, 2025

If you’d like to start a business in North Carolina, it can be overwhelming to think about, especially if you’re not even sure what type of business you want to start. Once you know what steps to follow, however, starting a business in North Carolina isn’t all that difficult, with the state very friendly to entrepreneurs (NC has a 2.5% corporate tax rate, the lowest in the country!).

Whether you’re looking for a new business idea or want to know what you should do to launch your business, review our guide to starting a business in North Carolina.

What Is a Good Business to Start in North Carolina?

Small business entrepreneurs have lots of exciting opportunities in North Carolina. If you’re still trying to decide what your business should do, review the following business types that are perfect for entrepreneurs early in their careers:

Moving Company
Professional Services (e.g., doctors, architects, engineers, dentists, geologists, and social workers can all start a Professional Limited Liability Company).
Bed & Breakfast
Recruiting Agency
Virtual Assistant Business

Regardless of the type of business you start, you’ll be in the right state to do it, as CNBC has named North Carolina one of the top three states to do business in for five years straight.

Do You Need a Business Plan to Start a Business in North Carolina?

Small business entrepreneurs need a business plan before they launch their company in North Carolina. This type of plan will give your business a direction to follow, guiding your business’s growth and helping you meet challenges. A detailed business and financial plan should include the following information:

The product or service your business plans to offer
The amount of funding you have, where that funding is coming from, and how much it’ll cost to launch and run your business
Your business’s primary competitors
The target audience of your business and how large that audience is

Does a New Business in North Carolina Need a Business Name?

Before you register your business, you need a name for it. The best business names will let customers know what your business does while also being unique enough that the name doesn’t get lost in the crowd. You’ll also want to look up competitor names to get a sense of naming conventions in your industry and how professional-sounding your business’s name needs to be.

Once you have a name, you need to do a business name search to make sure someone else doesn’t already have the same name. You can conduct your search here.

Where Can You Receive Funding From a New Business?

If you have enough personal savings to launch your business and fund operations for a stretch of time, you’ll likely want to stick to those funds so that you can retain full ownership and control of your business. However, most small business entrepreneurs will need funding from outside sources. Besides personal funds, you can receive funding from the following sources:

Family and Friends
Small Business Loans
Small Business Grants
Outside Investors (e.g., other entrepreneurs and venture capitalists)

How to Register a Business in North Carolina

Once you’ve decided on a small business idea, have a name, and know your funding sources, it’s time to register it. During registration, you’ll need to decide whether your business is a Sole Proprietorship, Limited Liability Company (LLC), a C corporation, a Nonprofit, or a Doing Business As (DBA). Each option has different benefits and requirements, so do your research first and talk to other business owners before deciding.

Next, you’ll officially register the business with the North Carolina Secretary of State. When you register your business, you’ll need to file paperwork that contains information about basic business details, the business’s name, and the registered agent.

How to Start a Business in North Carolina After You Finish Registering

Once you’ve finished registering your business, you’ll need to follow the rest of North Carolina’s requirements for launching a business. Based on nc.gov’s page on starting a business, new businesses must do the following after registering:

Obtain necessary licenses and permits
If applicable, apply for sales and use tax number
Apply for an Employer Identification Number
Prepare for any applicable taxes
Obtain insurance
Comply with regulations (E.g., OSHA, ADA, and Environmental Regulations)
Arrange for business financing
Open a business bank account
Protect your business’s intellectual property

What Should You Do After You’ve Launched Your Business?

Once you’ve launched your business and have started its operations, one of the best ways you can continue to improve is by working with your local Chamber of Commerce. For instance, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to serving small business entrepreneurs in Greensboro, NC. Some of the ways the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce helps business owners include:

FAQs About Starting a Small Business in North Carolina

Do I Need A General Business License In North Carolina?

North Carolina has no statewide “general” license. Requirements vary by industry and locality.

Most businesses check state/occupational licensing and any city or county permits before opening. NCBOLD lists state-level licenses.

How Do I Check If My Business Name Is Available in NC?

Search the NC Secretary of State’s Business Registry to confirm your name is unique before you file.

From there, you can reserve or proceed to formation, reducing the risk of rejections, delays, and costly rebranding. Search your name here.

What Is An Assumed Business Name (DBA) And Where Do I File?

File an assumed business name (DBA) with your county Register of Deeds. After, it will appear in a statewide database.

Because filings are searchable across counties, you can operate under your chosen name in multiple counties without duplicate paperwork.

Does a Business Need A Registered Agent in North Carolina, And Can I Be My Own?

Every LLC or corporation must keep a North Carolina registered agent, but you may serve as your own.

The agent must have a physical NC street address and be available during business hours to receive legal documents.

How Do I Get A Free Federal EIN?

Apply for a free EIN at IRS.gov only, and avoid third-party sites that charge fees.

After you apply for an EIN and receive approval, you can use the EIN to open bank accounts, hire employees, and handle federal and state tax registrations.

When Do I Register For Sales & Use Tax Or Withholding?

After you finish registering with NCDOR, you can collect and remit sales tax properly and withhold payroll taxes, helping you avoid penalties and interest.

What Are NC Annual Report Deadlines And Fees?

LLC reports are due April 15. Corporations file on the 15th day of the fourth month after fiscal year end.

Building a reminder system helps you avoid late fees and potential administrative dissolution for missed filings.

When Do I Need to Pay For Unemployment Taxes?

Businesses must pay for unemployment taxes if you pay $1,500+ in a quarter or employ 1+ worker for 20 weeks.

If you need to pay for unemployment taxes, you’ll file quarterly wage reports and pay contributions through the state’s employer system.

Do I Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Most employers must carry workers’ compensation when they have three or more employees, with limited exceptions.

Coverage helps protect your team and your business by paying for work-related injuries and complying with state law.

Join the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

Launching a business is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be stressful if you do it alone. The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce understands the pressures on small business entrepreneurs, and we have a lot of resources to help. Whether you’re interested in taking a small business class or are looking for entrepreneurs near you in Greensboro to network with, we have you covered.

Learn more about our entrepreneurship programs and other entrepreneurship resources today. If you have any questions, you can call us at (336) 387-8301.