Catering Business Permit Requirements in Huntsville, AL

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Alabama Department of Revenue - Sales Tax License

   Required for businesses making retail sales of tangible personal property in Alabama. Alabama sales tax is a privilege tax on retail sales; most services are not taxable, so service-only businesses may not need to register. Local city and county sales taxes are also due on top of the state rate and vary by jurisdiction - use ADOR's local tax rate lookup for your address. Register with the Alabama Department of Revenue via My Alabama Taxes (MAT); state and local returns are filed together through ONE SPOT.

   Official government source

   No registration fee is published by ADOR; registration is made through the My Alabama Taxes portal·Not published by ADOR; confirm current processing time with the Department of Revenue

   No registration fee is published by ADOR; registration is made through the My Alabama Taxes portal

   Not published by ADOR; confirm current processing time with the Department of Revenue

2. County Health Department - Food Handler / Certified Food Protection Manager Training

   Alabama regulates food establishments under ADPH Chapter 420-3-22, and permits plus employee food-safety training are administered by County Health Departments - ADPH publishes no statewide food handler card mandate or fee. Confirm what your county requires before opening.

   Official government source

   Set by each County Health Department and not published statewide; for example Jefferson County charges $15 for its Food Safety Course and $150 for the Certified Food Safety Manager Course·Not published statewide; confirm with your County Health Department

   Set by each County Health Department and not published statewide; for example Jefferson County charges $15 for its Food Safety Course and $150 for the Certified Food Safety Manager Course

   Not published statewide; confirm with your County Health Department

1. Madison County Health Department — Food Service Establishment Permit

   Catering businesses operating out of a commercial kitchen in the Huntsville area must obtain a Food Service Establishment permit from the Madison County Health Department (a local office of the Alabama Department of Public Health), which requires an on-site inspection of the licensed commissary kitchen.

   Official government source

   Fees vary; confirm the current permit fee with Madison County Health Department·Confirm current timeline with Madison County Health Department

   Fees vary; confirm the current permit fee with Madison County Health Department

   Confirm current timeline with Madison County Health Department

2. City of Huntsville Finance Department, Revenue Division — Business License

   Huntsville requires a business license (privilege license tax) for all businesses within city limits. Most licenses are issued by the Finance Department's Revenue Division (256-427-5080); licenses for contractors, subcontractors and building permits are issued through the Inspection Division. The license tax is graduated by annual gross receipts under one of roughly 92 numbered category schedules in the city's License Fees by Schedule — for example Service schedule (77) minimum $35, Profession and vocation schedule (67) minimum $65, Contractor general building schedule (26) minimum $75, and Barbershop or beauty shop schedule (7) at $50 for the first chair/station plus $20 for each additional chair/station — rather than a single flat range. Must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   Graduated by gross receipts and business category (minimum tiers start at $35 and rise by schedule); see the city's License Fees by Schedule·Not published; confirm with the Revenue Division (256-427-5080)

   Graduated by gross receipts and business category (minimum tiers start at $35 and rise by schedule); see the city's License Fees by Schedule

   Not published; confirm with the Revenue Division (256-427-5080)

Official Sources

• Madison County Health Department
• Alabama Department of Revenue — Sales Tax License

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