๐Ÿ“ State Guide

Business License in Arizona

Do you need a business license in Arizona? What kind? Where do you get it? Here's everything you need to know โ€” in plain English.

No statewide license โ€” it's local

Arizona doesn't have a general statewide business license. You register at the city or county level. Plus you need a Transaction Privilege Tax license.

๐Ÿ’ฐ
$50โ€“$100+/year
Typical cost
โฑ๏ธ
2โ€“5 business days
Typical wait
๐Ÿ›๏ธ
Your city clerk + AZ DOR for TPT license
Where to apply
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Important thing to know about Arizona

Arizona has a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) โ€” it's like a sales tax but applies to the seller, not the buyer. If you do business in Arizona, you almost certainly need a TPT license from the AZ Department of Revenue.

Here's what to do, step by step

1

Check if Arizona has a statewide license

Arizona doesn't have a general statewide business license. You register at the city or county level. Plus you need a Transaction Privilege Tax license. Start here before you do anything else.

2

Find your city or county office

Most business licenses in Arizona are issued by your city or county โ€” not the state. Search "[your city] business license" and find the official government website.

3

Register your business name if needed

If you're doing business under a name that isn't your own name, you may need a DBA (Doing Business As) registration. This is usually done at the county level.

4

Get a sales tax permit if you sell products

If you sell physical products, Arizona wants you to collect sales tax. You need to register with the state's department of revenue โ€” this is separate from your business license.

5

Renew every year

Most business licenses in Arizona need to be renewed annually. Mark your calendar or you'll pay a late fee.

City guides for Arizona

Related guides

โš ๏ธ Heads up: This is general information โ€” not legal advice. Rules change. Always check with your actual city or state office before doing anything official. We may earn from some links.