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1. How do I register my business name or get an Assumed Name: Doing Business As (DBA)?

Visit the Bexar County Clerk’s office at the Bexar County Paul Elizondo Tower, next to the Courthouse to register the business name, 1st floor 101 W. Nueva (Notary public onsite) Call them at (210) 335-2223 or visit them on the web. Copies of misplaced certificates can be obtained.

2. Where do I get an Employer Identification Number (EIN)? Why do I need it for my business?

Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by visiting Internal Revenue Service's webpage or: IRS San Antonio 8122 Datapoint Dr Suite 210, San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 841-2090

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. Generally, Businesses need an EIN. You may apply for an EIN in various ways, and now you may apply online. This is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service and you can get your EIN immediately.

IRS San Antonio EIN Information

3. Where do I get a State of Texas sales tax permit?

Complete the application if you are engaged in business in Texas and:

• Sell or lease tangible personal property in Texas; or
• Sell taxable services in Texas.

Texas State Comptroller offices are located in San Antonio or contacted at Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Field Office - San Antonio Taxpayer Services and Collections 10010 San Pedro Ave Suite 410, San Antonio, Texas 78216-3862 (210) 342-2300

IRS San Antonio Contact Information

4. Where can I get information on permits needed for my business?

The City of San Antonio Development Services Department at 1901 S. Alamo St. is a one stop shop for required permits, licenses, zoning, and certificates to operate a business in San Antonio. Businesses located in unincorporated areas of Bexar County need to contact Bexar County Public Works at (210) 335-6700 or visit 233 N. Pecos, Suite 420, San Antonio, Texas 78207. Businesses located in surrounding Bexar County cities listed below need to contact the city offices for the following entities to obtain required permits:

• Alamo Heights
• Balcones Heights
• Castle Hills
• China Grove
• Cibolo
• Converse
• Elmendorf
• Fair Oaks Ranch
• Grey Forest
• Helotes
• Hill Country Village
• Hollywood Park
• Kirby
• Leon Valley
• Live Oak
• Lytle
• Olmos Park
• Sandy Oaks
• Schertz
• Selma
• Shavano Park
• Somerset
• St. Hedwig
• Terrell Hills
• Universal City
• Von Ormy
• Windcrest

CDPs: Cross Mountain, Lackland AFB, Macdona, Randolph AFB, Scenic Oaks, Timberwood park

Unincorporated Communities: Adkins, Atascosa, Leon Springs, Losoya, Martinez, Sayers, and Wetmore

(Note: for further details on home based businesses please make sure to contact your local entity).

Bexar County Public Works

5. Where can I get training or counseling on starting a business and or writing a business plan?

UTSA Small Business Development Center offers training and counseling on international trade and government contracting as well as a variety of other subjects. They can be contacted at https://sasbdc.org/ or 210.458.2460.

SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business Volunteers provide professional guidance and information to maximize the success of America's existing and emerging small businesses. Additional contact information can be found at San Antonio SCORE or 210.403.5931.

UTSA Institute of Economic Development

6. Are there any grants to start a business?

No - but the SBA offers Small Business Loans through various financial institutions in and around Bexar County.

For local micro-lending institutions or start up loans please contact:

• LiftFund at LiftFund  or 888.215.2373
• Small Business Administration at the Small Business Administration Website or 210.403.5931
• Information about community grants is available from the San Antonio Area Foundation at http://www.saafdn.org/ or 210.225.2243

7. How do I certify my business as HUB, SBE, MBE, AABE, HABE, ASBE, NABE, DIBE, DBE, VBE or LGBTE?

Note: Certification is not required to respond to any County Solicitation.

Local Bexar County Area

• South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (SCRTRCA) or 210-227-4722

Federal:

• SBA 8(a), SBE, SBA, HUB Zone and Empowerment Zone
• Texas Unified Certification Program is a certification process for the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Programs in Texas.

State

• Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) - Central Master Bidder's List

Private Sector Certifications

• Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council (SMSDC)
• Women's Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA)

8. How do I become a Bexar County Vendor?

Visit the Bexar County Purchasing Website and go to the Supplier Portal Registration and follow the steps listed. You can contact the Purchasing Department at 210.335.2211.

9. How do I register to do business with other agencies, school districts or the State or Federal Government?

The Opportunity Link is an initiative of the Bexar County SBE Department to address business development and small, minority and women-owned business participation in public procurement opportunities. 

https://www.bexar.org/133/Opportunities

10. How do I find out about pre-bid meetings, events, trainings and networking events?

Go on-line to the SBED Homepage, www.bexar.org/smwbe, and click on the Calendar Button. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community. 

For more information please contact the SMWBE office at (210) 335-2478 or www.bexar.org/smwbe