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How to Register a Foreign Business in Alabama Flipbook PDF
As an international business, you’ve found great success across the world. You likely started your business in your home
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How to Register a Foreign Business in Alabama
As an international business, you’ve found great success across the world. You likely started your business in your home country and may have already branched out—or are looking to branch out—into another country to grow your company. Like most countries, the United States has smaller territories governed by subgovernment agencies; these smaller territories are known as “states” (other countries may have provinces). If you’re looking to establish a business in the United States, you will need to determine in what state you wish to conduct business. Then, you’ll need to learn about that state’s respective laws. Let’s say you want to register a foreign business in Alabama. Here are two of the most important steps to take first.
Learn About Alabama’s State Laws for Businesses and Foreign Businesses
Each state will have different laws to govern how companies may conduct business. They will also have different laws for foreign companies that want to conduct business within the state. You’ll want to visit Alabama’s governing body’s website, Alabama.gov, for information on business name reservation, starting a business, and more. You can also visit Alabama’s Secretary of State website for additional information and forms. Note that, because you are a foreign entity applying to conduct business domestically, you may be charged more for certain filing fees.
Get an Employer Identification Number The Internal Revenue Service will consider you an “International EIN Applicant” if you “have no principal place of business, office or agency, or legal residence in the United States or U.S. Territories.” International applicants will not be able to fill out Form SS-4 online. Instead, they can use one of the three following methods: Telephone. You can call the IRS during their normal business hours to speak with an assistor to obtain an EIN. You can only obtain an EIN if you are an authorized person to do so. To facilitate this process, first fill out a physical copy of the Form SS-4, as the assistor will need this information to obtain your EIN. Fax. Download a PDF copy of Form SS-4 online and fill it out in its entirety. Fax it to the IRS for processing. You will normally receive your EIN by fax within four business days. This method is available 24/7. Mail. Download a PDF copy of Form SS-4 online and fill it out in its entirety. Mail the completed form to the IRS service center per the form’s instructions. Be sure to mail the form at least four to five weeks (one month) prior to actually needing the EIN, because it takes about four weeks to obtain an EIN through this method.
One Last Item of Note
In addition to the United States federal laws that regulate businesses and the laws set forth by Alabama to regulate businesses, you also need to learn about the local laws. Cities and towns in each state will have their own laws to govern how business is conducted in their territories. You need to make sure that you learn these so that your business will comply with the laws. You must adhere to federal, state, and local laws so your business is in good legal standing. You can learn about local laws from the municipality’s website or by calling the governing body’s office.