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1. How do I register my business name or get a 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?

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

IRS San Antonio EIN Information

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

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 UTSA Institute of Economic Development 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 SBE, MBE, WBE, AABE, VBE, or DIBE?

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)

Private Sector-Fortune 500 Companies / MOU with the state of Texas
Note: Certification is not required to respond to any County Solicitation.

• Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council

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. Do I have to be certified as SBE, MBE, WBE, AABE, VBE, DIBE to do business with Bexar County?

No. Make sure you register on-line to do business with the Bexar County Supplier Portal to receive solicitations to compete for Bexar County Contracts.

10. How do I register to attend the Small, Minority, Women, and Veteran Owned Business Conference on December 7, 2016 at the Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall?

Go on-line to www.bexar.org/smwbe and register to attend the FREE conference. The Freeman Coliseum is located at 3201 E. Houston, San Antonio Texas, 78219. FREE parking for this event will be provided.

For more information please contact the SMWBE office at (210) 335-0671 or www.bexar.org/smwbe