City of Houston — Office of Business Opportunity
MWBE / small-business certification that unlocks city contracts, plus the Hire Houston First program for local vendors.
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More Start a Business resources
Free federal EIN (tax ID) — IRSStart a Business
Get your business's federal Employer ID Number straight from the IRS — free, online, in minutes. Never pay a third-party site for…
How to Register a Business in Texas: A Step-by-Step GuideStart a Business
A practical walkthrough for registering any business structure in Texas—from sole proprietorships to LLCs and corporations. Cover…
Texas HUB certification — ComptrollerStart a Business
Historically Underutilized Business certification that opens state contracts to minority- and women-owned Texas businesses.
Texas sales-tax permit — ComptrollerStart a Business
Free Texas sales-and-use-tax permit, required to sell taxable goods or services. Apply directly with the state — no fee.
Register a Texas LLC — Secretary of StateStart a Business
Official state filing to form your LLC or corporation in Texas — the right way to start a business. File directly with the state.
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