Catering Business Permit Requirements in Fayetteville, AR

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. Arkansas Sales and Use Tax Permit — Department of Finance and Administration

   Any business selling taxable goods or taxable services in Arkansas must obtain a gross receipts (sales) tax permit before transacting business, and a separate permit is required for each business location under Ark. Code 26-52-201. The permit is issued by the Department of Finance and Administration's Sales and Use Tax Section. The state sales and use tax rate is 6.500%, with city and county rates added on top — in Little Rock, for example, the combined rate is 8.625% (6.5% state, 1% Pulaski County, 1.125% city).

   Official government source

   $50.00 sales tax permit fee, paid electronically when the registration is submitted.·Register online through the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point at atap.arkansas.gov. Registration questions go to the Sales and Use Tax Section at 501-682-7104, Ledbetter Building, 1816 W 7th St, Room 1330, Little Rock.

   $50.00 sales tax permit fee, paid electronically when the registration is submitted.

   Register online through the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point at atap.arkansas.gov. Registration questions go to the Sales and Use Tax Section at 501-682-7104, Ledbetter Building, 1816 W 7th St, Room 1330, Little Rock.

2. Certified Food Protection Manager (Arkansas has no food handler card)

   Arkansas does not issue or require a state food handler card. What the Rules Pertaining to Retail Food Establishments do require, at section 2-102.11, is that at least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control food preparation and service be a certified food protection manager who has passed a test that is part of an accredited program — one evaluated and listed by a Conference for Food Protection recognized accrediting agency, such as ServSafe. Only establishments the health department deems minimal risk are exempt: those serving only commercially prepackaged food, or only approved low-risk non-TCS food.

   Official government source

   The Arkansas Department of Health charges nothing for the certificate. The exam is sold by private accredited providers such as the Arkansas Hospitality Association's ServSafe program or Cooperative Extension, each of which sets its own price.·Establishments permitted after the rule took effect have 12 months from the date the permit is issued to have a certified food protection manager in place.

   The Arkansas Department of Health charges nothing for the certificate. The exam is sold by private accredited providers such as the Arkansas Hospitality Association's ServSafe program or Cooperative Extension, each of which sets its own price.

   Establishments permitted after the rule took effect have 12 months from the date the permit is issued to have a certified food protection manager in place.

1. Arkansas Department of Health — Food Establishment Permit (Catering)

   Catering businesses operating out of Fayetteville must hold a food establishment permit issued by the Arkansas Department of Health under the Food Establishment Permit Act (Ark. Code Ann. § 20-57-204), administered locally through ADH's Washington County health unit — not by Washington County or the City of Fayetteville. You need an ADH-approved commercial kitchen and an on-site inspection; using a kitchen someone else already holds a permit for does not remove the need for your own permit.

   Official government source

   $35 per year for the food establishment permit; new or remodeled facilities also pay a plan review fee of 1% of total mechanical cost, minimum $50 and maximum $500·Driven by plan review and the pre-opening inspection; call ADH Environmental Health at 501-661-2171 for current turnaround

   $35 per year for the food establishment permit; new or remodeled facilities also pay a plan review fee of 1% of total mechanical cost, minimum $50 and maximum $500

   Driven by plan review and the pre-opening inspection; call ADH Environmental Health at 501-661-2171 for current turnaround

2. City of Fayetteville Business License

   Fayetteville requires a business license for every business operating inside city limits, including home-based businesses and businesses headquartered elsewhere that operate in the city. Applications and renewals are filed through the city's Civic Access portal and administered by the Business License office in Development Services.

   Official government source

   $31 new license (home-based), $98 (non-home-based/commercial), $127 (short-term rental); $10 annual renewal ($35 for short-term rentals) plus a $30 late fee if not renewed by October 31·Apply within 60 days of opening to avoid additional fees; licenses expire October 31 each year and renewals open September 1

   $31 new license (home-based), $98 (non-home-based/commercial), $127 (short-term rental); $10 annual renewal ($35 for short-term rentals) plus a $30 late fee if not renewed by October 31

   Apply within 60 days of opening to avoid additional fees; licenses expire October 31 each year and renewals open September 1

Official Sources

• Washington County Health Department
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Sales Tax Permit

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