LaunchPath

Flagship channel-state reference guide

Start TikTok Shop in Texas: full reference guide

Use this page when you want the complete dense version: all sections, all appendices, and the full official source directory in one scrollable reference surface.

Last verified: April 26, 2026 Reference mode Dense appendix

Built from reviewed public pages for Texas, IRS, FinCEN, Houston, TikTok Shop. Use it as a first-pass guide, then verify the official links that match your setup.

How to use this page

Dense appendix modeFull source directory attachedLast verified April 26, 2026

This version favors completeness over pacing. Use it when you need the appendix, the dense source trail, or the full long-form reference in one place.

Best reading order

  1. Use the fast-answer and official-links sections first if you only need the main route and source trail.
  2. Open the entity, setup, tax, and local sections only where your exact launch path actually branches.
  3. Use the full source directory last as the appendix, not the starting point, unless you already know the exact agency task.
Fast answer appendix Official links first Full source directory
Back to the guided journey

Reference mode

Everything in one dense page

The guided journey is the easier starting point. This page keeps the full accordion guide and source appendix when you want the complete research-backed reference view.

Best when you need

  • The full section map in one scroll without the lighter journey framing.
  • The appendix and official-source directory preserved next to the answer sections.
  • A clearer audit trail before you print, compare, or cross-check another route.

Still better handled in the journey

  • First-pass reading when you want the shortest, safest beginner route.
  • Deciding what to do first before you need the full appendix.
  • Switching states or platforms quickly without reading the full dense version.
Reference map
Start here Fast answer If you want to open TikTok Shop in Texas, you usually need to do five things in order: Everyone 5 steps

If you want to open TikTok Shop in Texas, you usually need to do five things in order:

  1. Choose your setup: sole proprietorship vs single-member LLC, and line that choice up with the correct TikTok Shop seller type.
  2. Get your federal and Texas registrations in place before launch, especially the Texas sales-tax permit branch even if you plan to sell only through TikTok Shop.
  3. Verify county and local permit, deed-restriction, home-business, and property-location rules. If you will operate in Houston, treat that branch as real work, not a footnote.
  4. Open and verify your TikTok Shop seller account, complete W9, payout, warehouse, and shipping setup, and start with a very small first catalog.
  5. Launch only after your category-fee math, product compliance, and home-address operating plan are ready.

Practical first-launch recommendation

If you are testing casually with minimal risk, sole proprietor can work.

If you intend to build a real TikTok Shop business selling physical goods, a single-member LLC is usually the better long-term path in Texas.

Avoid these first-launch mistakes

  • Treating TikTok Shop like a direct Shopify store instead of a marketplace-facilitated channel
  • Assuming TikTok's checkout tax handling eliminates the separate Texas permit and filing branch
  • Buying resale inventory before the Texas permit and resale-certificate sequence is ready

Texas-specific friction

Texas marketplace treatment is not the same as direct-store Shopify logic.

  • Texas marketplace treatment is not the same as direct-store Shopify logic.
  • A Texas-based TikTok Shop seller still needs a Texas sales-tax permit and must file returns even if TikTok handles marketplace tax collection on platform sales.
  • Resale sequencing matters in Texas: permit first, then Form 01-339.
  • Texas sellers with a Texas business registration address also face seller-invoice sales tax on referral fees under TikTok's public October 30, 2025 notice.
  • Houston does not have zoning, but that does not mean no local review. Deed restrictions, county location, inventory storage, and carrier traffic still matter.
  • Houston's startup guide uses broad DBA wording that does not cleanly match the Texas Secretary of State assumed-name FAQ for LLCs, so you need to follow the state rule where they differ.

TikTok Shop-specific friction

TikTok Shop seller type must match the real legal and banking setup.

  • TikTok Shop seller type must match the real legal and banking setup.
  • Product visibility is gated behind W9 completion and TikTok's internal review.
  • Sellers must display a business address to shoppers, even if the platform partially masks a certified residential address.
  • Bank-account identity matching is strict.
  • Public fee pages are real but still mixed enough that exact category rates should be re-checked live before pricing.
  • Some logistics and insurance tools are eligibility-based and not guaranteed for every account.

Insurance reality

TikTok Shop's public Insurance Center & Commercial Liability Insurance page dated April 14, 2026 says CGL insurance is not currently mandatory, but may become mandatory later with advance notice.

  • TikTok Shop's public Insurance Center & Commercial Liability Insurance page dated April 14, 2026 says CGL insurance is not currently mandatory, but may become mandatory later with advance notice.
  • The same public page says the Insurance Center is available only to select sellers.
  • TikTok Shop's public Shipping Insurance page says automatic shipping insurance up to $200 per package applies to TikTok Shipping labels only, not to Seller Shipping orders.
  • Even without a current platform-wide mandate, physical-goods risk is real. If you sell products that could injure someone or damage property, treat CGL and product-liability planning seriously before you scale.
Back to top Next: Quick-start checklist
Checklist Quick-start checklist Use the research-backed checklist groups before you spend, before your first sale, and before launch goes live. Everyone 3 groups

Do these before you spend money

  • Pick your entity.
  • Pick your business name.
  • Decide whether you are selling under your legal name, a county assumed name, or an LLC legal or assumed name.
  • Decide whether you will stay marketplace-only or also add direct off-TikTok sales later.
  • Decide whether you need a resale-purchase path.
  • Stay in low-risk general merchandise for the first launch.
  • Avoid regulated categories such as food, supplements, cosmetics, medical claims, batteries-heavy hazmat, alcohol, children's products unless you are doing separate category research.
  • Make sure you can document sourcing with invoices and supplier records.

Do these before your first sale

  • Form the business or file the right assumed-name branch for Texas if needed.
  • Get an EIN from the IRS if applicable.
  • Open a dedicated business bank account.
  • Get the Texas sales and use tax permit before relying on marketplace collection or resale treatment.
  • Check Houston or other local deed-restriction, permit, and home-business rules.
  • Re-check the live TikTok Shop category fee and the Texas referral-fee tax page before you price inventory.

Do these before launch goes live

  • Complete the TikTok Shop onboarding branch using current public pages.
  • Finish W9, payout, warehouse, and shipping setup.
  • Confirm the product is lawful, eligible, and not blocked by live TikTok Shop policy pages.
  • Upload only one or two low-risk products first.
  • Launch small enough that a fee, returns, or shipping mistake will not wreck margins.
Back to top Next: Official links you will use first
Choose your setup Entity choice Compare the sole-proprietor and single-member LLC paths before banking, tax setup, and platform onboarding. Everyone 2 options

Sole proprietor

Best for: Best if you want the cheapest and simplest start.

What it means

  • Texas does not require a general business license.
  • A sole proprietorship is not formed with the Texas Secretary of State.
  • If you use a name other than your own legal name, Texas generally sends the assumed-name filing to the county clerk in each county where you maintain a business office, or in each county where you conduct business if you do not maintain a Texas office.
  • TikTok Shop's public registration guides dated April 7, 2026 separate Individual and Sole Proprietorship onboarding and say a sole proprietor without an EIN should choose Individual Seller.
  • Business income generally runs through your personal federal return unless you later change tax treatment.
  • You usually do not get a liability shield.

Why someone chooses it

  • Faster launch
  • Lower up-front filing cost
  • Fewer entity-maintenance steps

Main downside: Personal liability

single-member LLC

Best for: Best if you want a more durable setup for a real business.

What it means

  • You file Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company (Form 205) with the Texas Secretary of State and appoint a registered agent and registered office.
  • The public filing fee is $300.
  • Internal company-agreement documents stay internal and are not filed with the Secretary of State.
  • Texas LLC maintenance runs through the Comptroller franchise-tax and PIR / OIR cycle, not through a standard Secretary of State annual report.
  • TikTok Shop's public business-entity registration guide expects EIN, UBO, primary-representative, and business-address information.
  • Federal tax treatment is generally pass-through by default for a single-member LLC unless you elect otherwise.

Why someone chooses it

  • Liability protection
  • Cleaner setup for banking, suppliers, bookkeeping, insurance, and scaling
  • Better fit for inventory, branded goods, employees, and later restructuring

Main downside: Higher setup friction and recurring compliance than a sole proprietorship

Back to top Next: What to do in order
Main path What to do in order The full end-to-end setup path, kept in the same order as the researched guide. Everyone 14 steps

  1. Step 1: Choose a low-risk launch model

    Main guide step 1

    For a first launch, stay inside the safest lane:

    Why it matters: Practical rule: If the product touches health, safety, children, batteries, chemicals, medical claims, or heavy intellectual-property risk, slow down and do product-specific compliance research before buying inventory.

    • general merchandise
    • small, easy-to-ship products
    • no high-risk categories from food, supplements, cosmetics, medical claims, batteries-heavy hazmat, alcohol, children's products
    • no products that require specialized approvals or testing unless the guide is explicitly built for them

  2. Step 2: Choose your name and brand approach

    Main guide step 2

    You need to decide whether you are:

    Why it matters: Important:

    • operating under your own legal name,
    • using a county assumed name,
    • using your LLC legal name,
    • using a separate LLC assumed name filed on Form 503,
    • reselling existing brands,
    • creating your own brand,
    • or building a content-plus-commerce brand path first
    • Your TikTok Shop shop name does not replace the legal business name, bank record, or tax registrations behind the business.
    • TikTok Shop's public registration guides say sellers display a business address on the Product Detail Page, with partial display available only if the seller certifies that the address is residential.
    • Texas county assumed-name rules and Texas Secretary of State assumed-name rules are not the same branch.
    • If you resell branded goods, keep invoices and supplier records from day one.

  3. Step 3: Form the business

    Main guide step 3

    If you choose sole proprietor: If you sell under your own legal name, Texas does not require a Secretary of State formation filing.

    • If you choose sole proprietor: If you sell under your own legal name, Texas does not require a Secretary of State formation filing.
    • If you choose sole proprietor: If you use a trade name, file the assumed name with the county clerk in each county where you maintain a business office, or in each county where you conduct business if you have no Texas business office.
    • If you choose sole proprietor: Keep the county term limit in mind: an assumed-name filing cannot exceed 10 years.
    • If you choose sole proprietor: If you operate in the Houston area, confirm which county your address actually falls in before filing. The city spans multiple counties.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Do this in order:
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Check Texas name availability before filing.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: File Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company (Form 205) with the Texas Secretary of State and appoint the registered agent and registered office.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Prepare your internal company records, get the EIN, and set up banking and bookkeeping.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: If your public brand differs from the LLC legal name, file Assumed Name Certificate (Form 503) with the Texas Secretary of State.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Calendar the annual Comptroller franchise-tax and PIR / OIR cycle.

  4. Step 4: Get your EIN

    Main guide step 4

    Use the IRS EIN application after the entity is formed if you picked an LLC.

    Why it matters: For many sole proprietors, an EIN is optional, but it is still useful for banking, suppliers, tax paperwork, and marketplace setup. TikTok-specific note:

    • TikTok Shop's public sole-proprietorship guide says a sole proprietor without an EIN should register as Individual Seller instead of Sole Proprietorship.

  5. Step 5: Open banking and bookkeeping

    Main guide step 5

    Do this right away:

    Why it matters: TikTok-specific bank rules:

    • Open a business checking account.
    • Keep business money separate from personal money.
    • Save every invoice, shipping bill, TikTok Shop fee statement, refund record, and tax record.
    • Build a tax folder and a compliance folder from day one.
    • TikTok Shop's public finance guidance says only the shop owner can link or change payout bank details.
    • The same public finance guidance says the bank-account holder name must exactly match the business or individual identity used during onboarding.
    • The same public finance guidance says Corporate/Business shops use a corporate bank account, while Individual and Sole Proprietorship shops use a personal bank account.

  6. Step 6: Register for Texas tax, seller permit, or resale setup

    Main guide step 6

    Practical Texas takeaway:

    Why it matters: Unlike a direct Shopify storefront, this pack assumes marketplace-facilitated checkout. That changes who collects buyer tax on TikTok Shop orders, but it does not eliminate the Texas permit rule for a Texas-based seller. Wave-specific note: Texas is the hard exception state in this TikTok Shop wave. Do not generalize the Texas permit rule into the reusable marketplace baseline for other states.

    • Texas uses the online sales-tax registration system or Form AP-201.
    • There is no permit fee, but the Comptroller may require a security bond.
    • Texas Comptroller guidance says a Texas seller still must have a Texas sales and use tax permit and file returns even if the seller's only sales are through a marketplace provider.
    • TikTok's public Buyer Policy (US) dated April 23, 2026 says TikTok Shop is a marketplace and says TikTok is deemed to be a marketplace facilitator in most U.S. jurisdictions, where it calculates, charges, and collects taxes and fees on marketplace sales when required.
    • That means TikTok generally handles buyer-side marketplace tax collection on TikTok Shop orders, but it does not erase the separate Texas permit rule for a Texas-based seller.
    • A remote seller that only sells through a certified marketplace provider generally does not need a Texas permit for that marketplace-only fact pattern, but that is not this default Texas founder path.
    • If you plan to buy inventory tax free for resale, use Form 01-339, Texas Sales and Use Tax Resale Certificate after you have the Texas taxpayer number that supports it.
    • The public Texas resale FAQ says a copy of a permit is not a substitute for a resale certificate and that resale certificates should be kept in the seller's books and records for 4 years.

  7. Step 7: Check local permits, county rules, and home-business limits

    Main guide step 7

    Texas does not use one statewide local-business form for counties and cities.

    Why it matters: Do this before operating: For Houston specifically: Houston caveat: The public city pages do not give one clean citywide yes-or-no answer for every home-based general-merchandise TikTok Shop setup. Treat the exact operating address, county, deed restrictions, inventory pattern, and shipping pattern as real compliance variables.

    • check the county clerk if you need a sole-proprietor assumed-name filing,
    • check deed restrictions, lease terms, or HOA rules if you will work from home,
    • check city or county permit pages for activity-specific licenses,
    • ask whether inventory storage, customer pickup, repeated carrier traffic, or building changes trigger local review,
    • and check the appraisal-district branch if you will hold taxable business personal property in Texas
    • the city says it does not have a formal zoning ordinance,
    • but the city also says home-based businesses should check whether deed restrictions allow the use,
    • the startup guide says the four main startup requirements are business-entity registration, Texas sales-tax permit, EIN, and property-tax rendition,
    • the permits page routes many permit and inspection questions through the Houston Permitting Center,
    • and the city business-licensing page shows that some permits and licenses are activity-specific, including Dealer Permit, Second Hand Resellers, Street Vendor Permits, Noise and Sound Permit, Game Room License, and other non-general categories

  8. Step 8: If you hire employees, handle payroll registrations and insurance

    Main guide step 8

    If you do not hire anyone yet, skip this for now.

    Why it matters: If you hire:

    • Register with TWC within 10 days of becoming liable for unemployment tax.
    • Texas unemployment-tax liability can arise once you pay $1,500 or more in wages in a calendar quarter, have at least one employee during 20 different weeks in a calendar year, or otherwise become liable under FUTA.
    • The first $9,000 paid to each employee in a calendar year is taxable for Texas unemployment-tax purposes.
    • File quarterly wage reports and pay unemployment taxes by the last day of the month following the end of each calendar quarter.
    • Report new hires and rehires to the Texas Office of the Attorney General within 20 calendar days after the employee starts earning wages.
    • Decide whether you will carry workers' compensation coverage or operate as a Texas non-subscriber, and follow DWC notice and reporting rules if you do not carry coverage.
    • This pack did not identify a separate ordinary Texas state income-tax withholding registration for standard in-state wages because Texas does not have a general state individual income tax.

  9. Step 9: Create your TikTok Shop account with the right seller type

    Main guide step 9

    Have these ready:

    Why it matters: TikTok Shop's public registration flow re-checked on April 26, 2026 separates these branches: Important Texas note:

    • government-issued ID
    • phone number
    • email address
    • bank account information
    • tax information
    • business registration details if you formed an entity
    • proof of address or identity if the platform asks for it
    • Texas legal-entity rules and TikTok seller-type labels are not the same thing.
    • If you form a Texas LLC, expect to use the business-entity branch and confirm the exact live label in Seller Center before you submit, because the public article set does not publish a separate LLC-named walkthrough.
    • Individual for a founder selling under personal information.
    • Sole Proprietorship for an unincorporated business with a legal business name and EIN if available.
    • Corporation or Partnership for a business-entity path that can require EIN, UBO, and primary-representative information.

  10. Step 10: Understand TikTok costs before you price anything

    Main guide step 10

    Practical rule:

    Why it matters: For a Texas launch, do not price from one generic TikTok number. Re-check the exact category fee, any new-seller promotion, and the Texas referral-fee tax page before you commit inventory or ad spend.

    • No public fixed monthly storefront-plan fee was identified in the reviewed TikTok Shop public sources.
    • The public fee pages are still time-sensitive and not clean enough to treat as one universal rate table.
    • One public page dated April 7, 2025 says an eligible new seller who gets the first sale within 60 days after onboarding can receive a 30-day 3% referral-fee discount.
    • A different public fee page still describes category-based referral fees of 5%-6%.
    • A public category chart dated November 20, 2025 says most categories remain at 6%, while some categories use 5% or other special rules.
    • A separate TikTok Shop public notice dated October 30, 2025 says that, as of November 1, 2025, sellers with a Texas business registration address will also see Texas sales tax collected on referral fees on the seller invoice.

  11. Step 11: Decide whether brand, address-display, and official-account setup belong in the first launch

    Main guide step 11

    TikTok Shop's public registration guides say all sellers display a business address to consumers on the Product Detail Page, with partial display available only for a certified residential address.

    • TikTok Shop's public registration guides say all sellers display a business address to consumers on the Product Detail Page, with partial display available only for a certified residential address.
    • TikTok Shop's public setup guide says linking an Official TikTok Account can strengthen brand presence and traffic, but it is still part of the operational setup branch, not a substitute for legal setup.
    • If you resell branded goods, keep invoices and supplier records from the start.
    • If you are building your own brand, start your trademark and packaging records early.

  12. Step 12: Complete the fulfillment and listing branch

    Main guide step 12

    Use the beginner-safe version of this step:

    Why it matters: TikTok-specific operations note:

    • complete the W9,
    • set the ship-from and return addresses,
    • upload one or two low-risk products,
    • wait for TikTok's internal review,
    • keep handling and shipping promises conservative,
    • and test the first workflow before scaling
    • TikTok Shop's public setup page says products do not become visible until the W9 is complete and internal compliance review is passed.
    • The same public setup page says warehouse setup requires a valid USPS-verified address.
    • TikTok Shop's public logistics overview says sellers can encounter Seller Shipping, TikTok Shipping, and Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) depending on eligibility.
    • For a Texas beginner launch, TikTok Shipping is usually the simplest default if your address verifies cleanly and your local branch is clear. Use Seller Shipping only if you need your own carrier workflow. Treat FBT as a later-stage option.
    • TikTok Shop's public shipping-insurance page says labels purchased through TikTok Shop include automatic insurance up to $200 per package, with optional added coverage up to $5,000. That applies to TikTok Shipping labels, not to Seller Shipping.

  13. Step 13: Confirm product and category eligibility before scaling

    Main guide step 13

    TikTok Shop's public Prohibited Products Policy dated April 7, 2026 says products offered on TikTok Shop must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws plus TikTok Shop policies.

    • TikTok Shop's public Prohibited Products Policy dated April 7, 2026 says products offered on TikTok Shop must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws plus TikTok Shop policies.
    • TikTok Shop's public Restricted Products Policy dated April 7, 2026 says some categories require category-level, product-level, or invite-only qualification, and that TikTok Shop may request more documentation during listing or while the product is live.
    • TikTok Shop's public Product Listing Policy dated April 15, 2026 says listings must be clear and truthful and that enforcement can include removal, violation points, or loss of selling privileges.

  14. Step 14: Launch with a compliance-first operating routine

    Main guide step 14

    Once live, keep these habits:

    • reconcile orders, platform charges, refunds, and shipping cost
    • maintain invoices and sourcing records
    • keep tax reserves separate
    • review listing accuracy and customer complaints
    • watch margins after actual fee and shipping behavior are known
    • avoid mixing personal and business spending
    • re-check the direct-sales branch before adding your own website, invoices, pop-ups, or off-TikTok orders

Best practical order for the LLC launch path

  1. Choose the product lane first.
  2. Choose the entity name.
  3. File Form 205.
  4. Get the EIN.
  5. Open the bank account.
  6. Open the Texas sales-tax permit.
  7. Resolve the resale branch if you need inventory tax-free.
  8. Check Houston or other local permit, deed-restriction, and home-based rules.
  9. Build the TikTok Shop account with the correct seller type.
  10. Complete W9, payout, warehouse, shipping, and first-listing setup.
  11. Track the franchise-tax, PIR / OIR, and local property-rendition calendar.
  12. Re-check live category fees and the Texas referral-fee tax page before you price or scale.
Back to top Next: Texas tax stack
State filing and tax Texas tax stack Keep the Texas registration, tax, and maintenance rules together while you launch. Everyone 7 checks

1. EIN

A typical single-member LLC needs an EIN.

  • A typical single-member LLC needs an EIN.
  • A sole proprietor commonly needs one once employees are hired and may still want one for operations even when not strictly required.
  • The IRS says you should form the legal entity through the state before you apply for the EIN if you are creating an LLC.

2. Texas sales tax, seller permit, or equivalent registration

Texas uses the online sales-tax registration system or Form AP-201.

  • Texas uses the online sales-tax registration system or Form AP-201.
  • There is no permit fee, but a security bond may be required.
  • You must obtain a permit if you are engaged in business in Texas and sell taxable goods or taxable services.
  • Permit holders must file Texas sales-tax returns even when they have no taxable sales or purchases to report.

3. Marketplace or platform tax rule

Marketplace providers engaged in business in Texas must collect, report, and remit state and local sales and use tax on marketplace sales.

  • Marketplace providers engaged in business in Texas must collect, report, and remit state and local sales and use tax on marketplace sales.
  • TikTok's public Buyer Policy (US) dated April 23, 2026 says TikTok Shop is a marketplace and that TikTok is deemed to be a marketplace facilitator in most U.S. jurisdictions.
  • A Texas seller living or operating in Texas still needs an active sales and use tax permit even if it sells only through a marketplace provider that certifies collection and remittance.
  • Remote sellers that only sell through a certified marketplace provider generally do not need a Texas permit, but that is not the default in-state founder path used in this pack.

4. Resale purchases or exempt purchasing

Texas uses Form 01-339, Texas Sales and Use Tax Resale Certificate.

  • Texas uses Form 01-339, Texas Sales and Use Tax Resale Certificate.
  • The purchaser's Texas taxpayer number appears on the certificate.
  • A copy of a sales-tax permit is not a substitute for a resale certificate.
  • Sellers should keep resale certificates in their books and records for at least 4 years.

5. Entity tax treatment

Texas LLCs are subject to state franchise-tax laws.

  • Texas LLCs are subject to state franchise-tax laws.
  • The legal formation of the entity, not just federal tax classification, drives Texas franchise-tax filing responsibility.
  • A sole proprietorship that is not legally organized in a liability-limiting form is not a taxable entity for Texas franchise-tax purposes.

6. Entity filing-fee or franchise-tax rule

The Texas franchise-tax annual due date is May 15.

  • The Texas franchise-tax annual due date is May 15.
  • For reports due in 2026, the no-tax-due threshold is $2.65 million.
  • Effective for reports due on or after January 1, 2024, the No Tax Due Report is discontinued.
  • A taxable entity at or below the no-tax-due threshold still files PIR or OIR.
  • Texas business owners with taxable business personal property also need to watch the local appraisal-district rendition branch. Property is generally due April 15, and a written request can extend the deadline to May 15.

7. If the founder changes entity type later

Texas says a new sales-tax permit is needed if ownership changes.

  • Texas says a new sales-tax permit is needed if ownership changes.
  • If you operate as a sole proprietor and then form an LLC or corporation, Texas treats that as a change of ownership.
  • The new entity must obtain its own permit, and the obsolete sole-proprietor permit should be closed if no longer needed.
Back to top Next: TikTok Shop account and operations
Platform setup TikTok Shop account and operations Use this section for the TikTok Shop-specific account, plan, eligibility, and operations work. Everyone 5 steps

  1. Step 9: Create your TikTok Shop account with the right seller type

    Platform step 1

    Have these ready:

    Why it matters: TikTok Shop's public registration flow re-checked on April 26, 2026 separates these branches: Important Texas note:

    • government-issued ID
    • phone number
    • email address
    • bank account information
    • tax information
    • business registration details if you formed an entity
    • proof of address or identity if the platform asks for it
    • Texas legal-entity rules and TikTok seller-type labels are not the same thing.
    • If you form a Texas LLC, expect to use the business-entity branch and confirm the exact live label in Seller Center before you submit, because the public article set does not publish a separate LLC-named walkthrough.
    • Individual for a founder selling under personal information.
    • Sole Proprietorship for an unincorporated business with a legal business name and EIN if available.
    • Corporation or Partnership for a business-entity path that can require EIN, UBO, and primary-representative information.

  2. Step 10: Understand TikTok costs before you price anything

    Platform step 2

    Practical rule:

    Why it matters: For a Texas launch, do not price from one generic TikTok number. Re-check the exact category fee, any new-seller promotion, and the Texas referral-fee tax page before you commit inventory or ad spend.

    • No public fixed monthly storefront-plan fee was identified in the reviewed TikTok Shop public sources.
    • The public fee pages are still time-sensitive and not clean enough to treat as one universal rate table.
    • One public page dated April 7, 2025 says an eligible new seller who gets the first sale within 60 days after onboarding can receive a 30-day 3% referral-fee discount.
    • A different public fee page still describes category-based referral fees of 5%-6%.
    • A public category chart dated November 20, 2025 says most categories remain at 6%, while some categories use 5% or other special rules.
    • A separate TikTok Shop public notice dated October 30, 2025 says that, as of November 1, 2025, sellers with a Texas business registration address will also see Texas sales tax collected on referral fees on the seller invoice.

  3. Step 11: Decide whether brand, address-display, and official-account setup belong in the first launch

    Platform step 3

    TikTok Shop's public registration guides say all sellers display a business address to consumers on the Product Detail Page, with partial display available only for a certified residential address.

    • TikTok Shop's public registration guides say all sellers display a business address to consumers on the Product Detail Page, with partial display available only for a certified residential address.
    • TikTok Shop's public setup guide says linking an Official TikTok Account can strengthen brand presence and traffic, but it is still part of the operational setup branch, not a substitute for legal setup.
    • If you resell branded goods, keep invoices and supplier records from the start.
    • If you are building your own brand, start your trademark and packaging records early.

  4. Step 12: Complete the fulfillment and listing branch

    Platform step 4

    Use the beginner-safe version of this step:

    Why it matters: TikTok-specific operations note:

    • complete the W9,
    • set the ship-from and return addresses,
    • upload one or two low-risk products,
    • wait for TikTok's internal review,
    • keep handling and shipping promises conservative,
    • and test the first workflow before scaling
    • TikTok Shop's public setup page says products do not become visible until the W9 is complete and internal compliance review is passed.
    • The same public setup page says warehouse setup requires a valid USPS-verified address.
    • TikTok Shop's public logistics overview says sellers can encounter Seller Shipping, TikTok Shipping, and Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) depending on eligibility.
    • For a Texas beginner launch, TikTok Shipping is usually the simplest default if your address verifies cleanly and your local branch is clear. Use Seller Shipping only if you need your own carrier workflow. Treat FBT as a later-stage option.
    • TikTok Shop's public shipping-insurance page says labels purchased through TikTok Shop include automatic insurance up to $200 per package, with optional added coverage up to $5,000. That applies to TikTok Shipping labels, not to Seller Shipping.

  5. Step 13: Confirm product and category eligibility before scaling

    Platform step 5

    TikTok Shop's public Prohibited Products Policy dated April 7, 2026 says products offered on TikTok Shop must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws plus TikTok Shop policies.

    • TikTok Shop's public Prohibited Products Policy dated April 7, 2026 says products offered on TikTok Shop must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws plus TikTok Shop policies.
    • TikTok Shop's public Restricted Products Policy dated April 7, 2026 says some categories require category-level, product-level, or invite-only qualification, and that TikTok Shop may request more documentation during listing or while the product is live.
    • TikTok Shop's public Product Listing Policy dated April 15, 2026 says listings must be clear and truthful and that enforcement can include removal, violation points, or loss of selling privileges.
Back to top Next: Local permits and Houston branch
Local branch Local permits and Houston branch These local and city checks can still change the answer even after the state and platform path is clear. Location-specific 2 branches

Local permits and location checks

Texas pushes many permit and location questions down to counties, cities, appraisal districts, and activity-specific agencies.

  • Texas pushes many permit and location questions down to counties, cities, appraisal districts, and activity-specific agencies.
  • For any place where the business will operate:
  • use the 2026-2027 Texas Business Licenses & Permits Guide,
  • contact the county clerk if you need a sole-proprietor assumed-name filing,
  • contact the city or county office where the business will operate,
  • ask planning, permitting, fire, building, or code offices whether home activity, storage, or alterations trigger review,
  • and check the appraisal district if you will hold taxable business personal property in Texas

Houston Appendix

If the business operates in Houston, add one more review layer.

  • If the business operates in Houston, add one more review layer.
  • The city says it does not have a formal zoning ordinance, but it also says restrictions may be in place through local deed restrictions and that home-based businesses should check whether the use is allowable.
  • The city startup guide says the four main legal-operating requirements are entity registration, Texas sales-tax permit, EIN, and property-tax rendition.
  • The same startup guide uses broad DBA wording that does not cleanly match the Texas Secretary of State assumed-name FAQ for LLCs, so use the state assumed-name rule where they differ.
  • The city permits page routes many questions through the Houston Permitting Center, which issues a majority of city permits and licenses and points founders to the city fee schedule.
  • The city business-licensing page is activity-specific, not a universal general-ecommerce license page. It includes categories such as Dealer Permit, Second Hand Resellers, Street Vendor Permits, and Noise and Sound Permit.
  • The exact county clerk branch still matters because Houston spans multiple counties. If the operating address is outside Harris County, use the actual county clerk rather than assuming the Harris County path.
Back to top Next: Employees and insurance
Optional branch Employees and insurance Use this branch if you plan to hire or need the insurance follow-up that comes with scaling. Only if hiring or scaling 5 branches

1. Employer registration

TWC says liable employers must register within 10 days of becoming liable for unemployment tax.

  • TWC says liable employers must register within 10 days of becoming liable for unemployment tax.
  • Texas employers become liable once they meet one of the applicable tests, including paying $1,500 or more in total gross wages in a calendar quarter, having at least one employee during 20 different weeks in a calendar year, or becoming liable under FUTA.
  • The first $9,000 paid to each employee in a calendar year is taxable for Texas unemployment-tax purposes.
  • Quarterly wage reports and taxes are due by the last day of the month following the end of the calendar quarter.
  • The Texas Office of the Attorney General says new hires and rehires must be reported within 20 calendar days after the employee starts earning wages.
  • Register with TWC within 10 days of becoming liable for unemployment tax.
  • File quarterly wage reports and pay unemployment taxes by the last day of the month following the end of each calendar quarter.
  • Texas unemployment-tax liability can arise once you pay $1,500 or more in wages in a calendar quarter, have at least one employee during 20 different weeks in a calendar year, or otherwise become liable under FUTA.

2. Workers' compensation

Texas private employers can choose whether to carry workers' compensation coverage in most cases.

  • Texas private employers can choose whether to carry workers' compensation coverage in most cases.
  • All Texas governmental entities must carry workers' compensation coverage.
  • Employers that choose not to provide Texas workers' compensation coverage are non-subscribers.
  • Non-subscribers must:
  • post a notice of no coverage in the workplace,
  • give written notice of no coverage to new employees,
  • file notice of no coverage with DWC between February 1 and April 30 each year,
  • file again after hiring the first employee or after terminating a workers' compensation policy,
  • and, if they have at least 5 employees, report workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths with more than one day of lost time
  • Register with TWC within 10 days of becoming liable for unemployment tax.
  • Decide whether you will carry workers' compensation coverage or operate as a Texas non-subscriber, and follow DWC notice and reporting rules if you do not carry coverage.

3. Disability, paid leave, or similar coverage

No separate Texas statewide private-employer disability-insurance or paid-leave registration requirement was identified in the reviewed public sources as of April 26, 2026.

  • No separate Texas statewide private-employer disability-insurance or paid-leave registration requirement was identified in the reviewed public sources as of April 26, 2026.
  • Re-check if your workforce facts are unusual or if your employees work outside Texas.

4. Exemption certificate if applicable

No Texas public equivalent to a New York CE-200-style broad employer exemption certificate was identified in the reviewed sources for an ordinary TikTok Shop seller.

  • No Texas public equivalent to a New York CE-200-style broad employer exemption certificate was identified in the reviewed sources for an ordinary TikTok Shop seller.
  • Public-project or special-industry facts can change that answer and need separate research.

Insurance reality

TikTok Shop's public Insurance Center & Commercial Liability Insurance page dated April 14, 2026 says CGL insurance is not currently mandatory, but may become mandatory later with advance notice.

  • TikTok Shop's public Insurance Center & Commercial Liability Insurance page dated April 14, 2026 says CGL insurance is not currently mandatory, but may become mandatory later with advance notice.
  • The same public page says the Insurance Center is available only to select sellers.
  • TikTok Shop's public Shipping Insurance page says automatic shipping insurance up to $200 per package applies to TikTok Shipping labels only, not to Seller Shipping orders.
  • Even without a current platform-wide mandate, physical-goods risk is real. If you sell products that could injure someone or damage property, treat CGL and product-liability planning seriously before you scale.
Back to top Next: Ongoing compliance calendar
Stay compliant Ongoing compliance calendar Keep the recurring compliance checks and live-operating routine visible after launch. Everyone 5 groups

Before first sale

  • Finish entity or assumed-name setup.
  • Get EIN if applicable.
  • Open bank account.
  • Open the Texas sales-tax permit before launch.
  • Resolve the resale branch before buying inventory tax free.
  • Check local permits, deed restrictions, and Houston home-business facts if operating from home.
  • Choose the correct TikTok Shop seller-type branch and complete the public onboarding steps.

Before first live launch

  • Complete W9, payout, warehouse, and shipping setup.
  • Re-check the live category fee and the Texas referral-fee tax page.
  • Confirm category and listing eligibility.
  • Upload only low-risk products first.

Monthly

  • Reconcile orders, platform charges, refunds, and shipping cost.
  • Review cash reserves for taxes.
  • Review margins after actual fees and shipping behavior.
  • Keep invoices, sourcing records, and customer-service records organized.

Quarterly

  • File Texas sales-tax returns on the cadence assigned to the permit, even if there are no taxable sales or purchases to report.
  • If you have TWC unemployment-tax obligations, file and pay on the quarterly cadence assigned to that account.
  • Re-check whether operational changes created a new local permit, zoning, or use-tax issue.

Annual or periodic

  • File the annual Texas franchise-tax and PIR / OIR cycle by May 15 if you formed an LLC.
  • Watch the April 15 business-personal-property rendition deadline and use the written May 15 extension branch if needed.
  • Renew county assumed-name filings before the term expires if you use them.
  • Re-check TikTok Shop fee, policy, insurance, and logistics changes before scaling or changing fulfillment models.
Back to top Next: Common mistakes
Avoid these Common mistakes These are the repeated beginner errors called out in the research pack. Everyone 8 mistakes

Common Mistakes New Operators Make

  • Treating TikTok Shop like a direct Shopify store instead of a marketplace-facilitated channel
  • Assuming TikTok's checkout tax handling eliminates the separate Texas permit and filing branch
  • Buying resale inventory before the Texas permit and resale-certificate sequence is ready
  • Treating Houston's no-zoning rule as a blanket green light for home inventory or shipping
  • Choosing the wrong TikTok Shop seller type for the real business setup
  • Pricing products before checking the live category fee and the Texas referral-fee tax notice
  • Linking the wrong bank-account type or using a bank-account name that does not exactly match onboarding records
  • Launching restricted or high-risk products too early

Practical first-launch recommendation

If you are testing casually with minimal risk, sole proprietor can work.

If you intend to build a real TikTok Shop business selling physical goods, a single-member LLC is usually the better long-term path in Texas.

Back to top Next: Full official source directory
Full appendix Full official source directory Every official source row from the research pack, kept in its full table structure. Everyone 40 rows

Source group

Statewide Start

Office of the Governor

State start-here page

Form / portal Start a Business in Texas guide
Fee None for the page
Timing First planning step
Who needs it Everyone

Public state startup page says a general business license is not required in Texas and points founders to tax, permit, and entity resources.

Open official link

Texas Secretary of State

State business portal

Form / portal Business Start-Up Information
Fee None for the page
Timing Before formation or name filings
Who needs it Everyone using state filing paths

SOS startup page routes founders to structure, guides, employer, and tax information.

Open official link

Office of the Governor Business Permit Office

State licensing support hub

Form / portal 2026-2027 Texas Business Licenses & Permits Guide
Fee None for the page
Timing Before launch and when activities change
Who needs it Businesses checking permit scope

Public page says Texas does not require a general license and says local permit requirements still need to be checked separately.

Open official link

Source group

Entity Choice and Formation

Office of the Governor Business Permit Office

Compare business types

Form / portal Guidance page
Fee None for the page
Timing First decision
Who needs it Everyone

Public guidance says Texas does not have a general business license and routes entity-registration questions to the Secretary of State or county clerk.

Open official link

Texas Secretary of State

Formation hub

Form / portal SOSDirect and business forms
Fee Varies by filing
Timing Before launch
Who needs it Filing entities

Official SOS startup and forms pages route founders to entity records and filing forms.

Open official link

Texas Secretary of State

Default entity formation filing

Form / portal Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company (Form 205)
Fee $300
Timing At formation
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

Public Form 205 instructions say the filing fee for an LLC certificate of formation is $300.

Open official link

Texas Secretary of State

Immediate post-filing requirement

Form / portal Internal company agreement; no separate public filing identified
Fee None identified
Timing Immediately after formation
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

Public Form 205 instructions say LLCs are subject to state franchise tax. The reviewed public sources did not identify a separate publication or ordinary annual-report filing with SOS.

Open official link

Texas Comptroller

Ongoing entity maintenance

Form / portal Annual franchise-tax report plus PIR or OIR
Fee No separate state filing fee identified on reviewed pages
Timing Due May 15 each year
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

Public 2026 franchise pages say the No Tax Due Report is no longer used for 2026, but PIR or OIR can still be required even below the threshold.

Open official link

Source group

Sole Proprietor and Local Name Filings

Texas Secretary of State

Sole proprietor and county assumed-name rule

Form / portal County-clerk filing rule
Fee County fee varies
Timing Before using a trade name
Who needs it Sole proprietors and other non-filing entities using an assumed name

SOS says sole proprietors file with the county clerk in each county where a business office is or will be maintained, or in each county where business is conducted if there is no Texas office.

Open official link

Harris County Clerk

Houston-area county clerk example

Form / portal Assumed Name search and filing information
Fee Notarized $24.00 first owner or Non-notarized $25.00 first owner, plus listed add-ons
Timing Before filing if the address is in Harris County
Who needs it Houston-area sole proprietors using the Harris County path

Official Harris County pages show the searchable assumed-name database, say the term can run up to 10 years, and publish current fee examples. Use the actual county clerk if the address is outside Harris County.

Open official link

Source group

Federal and State Tax Setup

IRS

EIN overview and online application

Form / portal Online EIN application
Fee Free
Timing Early in setup
Who needs it LLCs, employers, and founders who want an EIN

The IRS says to form the legal entity through the state before applying if you are creating an LLC, and says the online tool issues EINs immediately if approved.

Open official link

IRS

EIN paper form

Form / portal Form SS-4
Fee Free
Timing If not applying online
Who needs it Founders using paper, fax, or mail

Public IRS page says Form SS-4 is used to apply for an EIN and that responsible-party changes are reported on Form 8822-B.

Open official link

Texas Comptroller

State tax registration

Form / portal Texas Online Sales Tax Registration Application
Fee No fee for the permit
Timing Before launch
Who needs it Texas sellers of taxable goods or services

Public permit page says complete the application if engaged in business in Texas and selling or leasing tangible personal property or selling taxable services.

Open official link

Texas Comptroller

Registration instructions

Form / portal Form AP-201 or online system
Fee No fee for the permit; security bond possible
Timing During registration
Who needs it Sales-tax applicants

Public permit FAQ says there is no permit fee, but a security bond may be required, and permit holders must file returns even if they have no taxable sales or purchases to report.

Open official link

Texas Comptroller

Marketplace or platform tax rule

Form / portal Marketplace guidance page
Fee None for the page
Timing Before and after launch
Who needs it Marketplace sellers and facilitators

Public Texas guidance says a Texas seller still needs a permit and must file returns even if the only sales are through a marketplace provider, while certified marketplace providers handle collection and remittance on marketplace sales.

Open official link

Texas Comptroller

Resale or exemption certificate

Form / portal Form 01-339, Texas Sales and Use Tax Resale Certificate
Fee None for the form
Timing After permit registration if applicable
Who needs it Inventory purchasers buying for resale

Public Texas FAQ says the purchaser's Texas taxpayer number is required and that a copy of the permit is not a substitute for the resale certificate.

Open official link

Texas Comptroller

Recordkeeping guidance

Form / portal Records FAQ and marketplace guidance
Fee None for the pages
Timing Ongoing
Who needs it Registered taxpayers and marketplace sellers

Texas public guidance says sellers must keep adequate records, and marketplace sellers should keep marketplace-sales records for at least 4 years.

Open official link

Source group

Entity Tax Maintenance

Texas Secretary of State

Entity tax treatment

Form / portal Guidance page
Fee None for the page
Timing During planning and annually
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

Public Form 205 instructions say LLCs are subject to a state franchise tax.

Open official link

Texas Comptroller

Recurring entity tax filing or fee

Form / portal Annual franchise-tax report plus PIR or OIR
Fee No separate filing fee identified on reviewed pages
Timing Due May 15; 2026 threshold is $2.65 million
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

Public 2026 pages say entities at or below the threshold still file PIR or OIR, and failure to file can forfeit the right to transact business.

Open official link

Source group

Federal Reporting

FinCEN

BOI or other federal reporting status

Form / portal BOI interim-final-rule Q&A
Fee None
Timing Check before filing
Who needs it Everyone forming an entity

As of April 26, 2026, FinCEN says companies created in the United States are no longer reporting companies for BOI purposes under the current rule.

Open official link

Source group

Employees, Payroll, and Insurance

Texas Workforce Commission

Employer registration

Form / portal Unemployment Tax Services
Fee No fee stated on reviewed pages
Timing Register within 10 days after becoming liable
Who needs it Businesses hiring employees

TWC public guidance says Texas employers become liable under TUCA tests such as $1,500 in quarterly wages, one worker in 20 weeks, or FUTA liability; the first $9,000 per employee is taxable and reports are quarterly.

Open official link

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation

Workers' compensation

Form / portal Coverage verification or non-subscriber reporting
Fee Premium-based or varies
Timing Before or at hiring; annual non-subscriber notices between February 1 and April 30 if applicable
Who needs it Businesses hiring employees

Public pages say most private Texas employers can choose whether to carry coverage, governmental entities must carry it, and non-subscribers have notice and reporting duties.

Open official link

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation

Exemption certificate if applicable

Form / portal No broad statewide exemption certificate identified
Fee None identified
Timing Only when a special rule actually applies
Who needs it Employers evaluating edge-case coverage facts

No public Texas equivalent to a broad CE-200-style employer exemption certificate was identified for an ordinary TikTok Shop seller.

Open official link

Source group

Platform Setup

TikTok Shop public policy

Marketplace framing

Form / portal TikTok Buyer Policy (US)
Fee None for the page
Timing First platform-orientation step
Who needs it All TikTok Shop operators

Public page dated April 23, 2026 says TikTok Shop is a marketplace and says TikTok is deemed to be a marketplace facilitator in most U.S. jurisdictions.

Open official link

TikTok Shop

Platform registration starting point

Form / portal Seller signup flow
Fee No fixed storefront-plan fee identified in reviewed public sources
Timing Before launch
Who needs it All TikTok Shop sellers

Main seller entry point. The public academy guides confirm this is the signup starting point even though the main page is JS-heavy.

Open official link

TikTok Shop Academy

Seller-type registration guides

Form / portal Seller signup flow
Fee None stated on the pages
Timing Before launch
Who needs it All TikTok Shop sellers

TikTok Shop publishes separate U.S. signup paths by seller type. Sole proprietors without an EIN are told to register as Individual Seller; entity sellers should expect EIN, UBO, and representative-document review.

Open official link

TikTok Shop Academy

Shop setup, W9, warehouse, and product review

Form / portal Seller Center setup flow
Fee None stated on the page
Timing During onboarding
Who needs it All TikTok Shop operators

Public setup page says sellers complete verification, W9, warehouse setup with a valid USPS-verified address, product upload, and internal compliance review before products become visible.

Open official link

TikTok Shop Academy

Finance and payout setup

Form / portal Finance & Settlement Overview
Fee None stated on the page
Timing During onboarding and before first payout
Who needs it All TikTok Shop operators

Public finance guidance says only the shop owner can change bank details and the bank-account holder name must exactly match onboarding identity.

Open official link

TikTok Shop Academy

Fee and promotion checkpoint

Form / portal Public fee and promotion pages
Fee Time-sensitive and category-specific
Timing Before pricing inventory
Who needs it New sellers and anyone pricing inventory

Public pages show a 30-day 3% new-seller promotion after a qualifying first sale plus separate category-fee materials showing 5%-6% and category-specific charts, so live re-checking stays mandatory.

Open official link

TikTok Shop Academy

Texas seller-invoice tax on referral fees

Form / portal Sales Tax on Referral Fees — Effective November 1, 2025
Fee Varies with referral fees and applicable tax
Timing Before pricing inventory and during reconciliation
Who needs it Sellers with a Texas business registration address

Public page dated October 30, 2025 says Texas sellers will see sales tax collected on referral fees on seller invoices starting November 1, 2025.

Open official link

Source group

Fulfillment, Logistics, or Store Operations

TikTok Shop Academy

Logistics overview

Form / portal Logistics overview
Fee Varies by logistics path
Timing Before launch
Who needs it All TikTok Shop sellers

Public overview says TikTok Shop offers Seller Shipping, TikTok Shipping, and Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT), depending on eligibility.

Open official link

TikTok Shop Academy

Shipping default and address verification

Form / portal Warehouse setup
Fee None stated on the page
Timing During onboarding
Who needs it Sellers using TikTok shipping tools

Public setup page says warehouse setup requires a valid USPS-verified address and products become visible only after W9 completion and internal review.

Open official link

TikTok Shop Academy

Shipping insurance for TikTok Shipping labels

Form / portal Shipping Insurance
Fee Automatic coverage up to $200 per package; optional added coverage up to $5,000
Timing During shipping setup
Who needs it Sellers using TikTok Shipping labels

Public page says the automatic and optional insurance applies to TikTok Shipping labels only, not to Seller Shipping orders.

Open official link

TikTok Shop public policy

Listing, prohibited-products, and restricted-products policies

Form / portal Policy pages
Fee None for the pages
Timing During sourcing or setup
Who needs it All operators

Public policies cover clear and truthful listings, prohibited products, restricted products, qualification requirements, and enforcement.

Open official link

Source group

Insurance Checkpoint

TikTok Shop Academy

Platform insurance guidance

Form / portal Insurance Center & Commercial Liability Insurance
Fee Premium varies if purchased
Timing Re-check before or as sales scale
Who needs it Operators with physical-product risk

Public page dated April 14, 2026 says CGL is not currently mandatory, may become mandatory later, and the Insurance Center is available only to select sellers.

Open official link

Source group

Houston Branch

City of Houston

City location and deed-restriction warning

Form / portal Choose a Location and deed-restriction guidance
Fee None for the pages
Timing If business is in Houston
Who needs it Houston-based businesses

Public pages say Houston has no formal zoning ordinance but home-based operators should check whether deed restrictions allow the use, and the city has authority to enforce certain residential deed restrictions.

Open official link

City of Houston

City startup guide and main local requirements

Form / portal Startup Guide
Fee None for the page
Timing If business is in Houston
Who needs it Houston-based businesses

Public startup guide says the four main legal-operating requirements are entity registration, Texas sales-tax permit, EIN, and property-tax rendition. Its broad DBA wording conflicts with SOS guidance for LLCs, so this pack treats the SOS rule as controlling for assumed-name filings.

Open official link

City of Houston

City permits and inspections hub

Form / portal Houston Permitting Center and city fee schedule
Fee Varies
Timing Before operating if construction, fire, food, or other permit-triggering facts apply
Who needs it Houston-based businesses

Public page says the Houston Permitting Center issues a majority of city permits and licenses and routes founders to the city fee schedule.

Open official link

City of Houston Administration and Regulatory Affairs

Activity-specific city licensing

Form / portal Business licensing and permits portal
Fee Administrative fee may apply to qualifying permits
Timing Before operating if the activity matches a listed license type
Who needs it Houston-based businesses

Public licensing page lists activity-specific permits and licenses such as Dealer Permit, Second Hand Resellers, Street Vendor Permits, Noise and Sound Permit, and Game Room License, not a universal general-ecommerce license.

Open official link

Harris County Clerk

County assumed-name example for Houston addresses

Form / portal Assumed Name filing and search portal
Fee See county schedule
Timing Before filing if the address is in Harris County
Who needs it Sole proprietors using the Harris County branch

Houston spans multiple counties, so use this only if the operating address is actually in Harris County.

Open official link
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