Starting a Business in South Texas

September 6, 2022

Business Plan

Starting a business or non-profit organization is not a trivial undertaking. The following steps should only be undertaken after you have completed your business plan and obtained sufficient funding. Help in developing a business plan is available from local SCORE mentors, Online mentors, face-to-face workshops, and online training.

Four Basic Steps

Starting a business in Texas requires only four primary steps: Choosing a Business Structure, Getting an Employer Identification Number (also known as a federal tax I.D. number), Setting up Tax Information, and, for most businesses, Preparing for Employees. This site will walk you through each of these steps.

Registering your Business Name

Your business name must be on file with the county clerk’s office in each county your business operates. This is to protect your business name from being used by someone else. The name you have chosen may not be available, so have at least 3 choices before visiting the county clerk.

Listing of South Texas Counties and their websites

Counties Surrounding San Antonio

Counties in the Rio Grande Valley

(* = no website - check the listing of Texas County Clerks)

Business Licenses

There is no “General Business License” requirement in Texas. However, certain types of businesses are required to have a state license. Contact the State Licensing Office to see if your business is required to be licensed by the state.

City Licenses

Check with your City Hall for licensing or zoning requirements.

Listing of City websites in South Texas

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Business Plan

Four Basic Steps

Registering your Business Name

Business Licenses

City Licenses