Bookkeeping Permit Requirements in Detroit, MI

Complete permit and license guide for starting a bookkeeping in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.

Verified 2026-08-31 6 stops $75–$250 est. 1–3 weeks to register business and obtain all required licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

2 stops

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS, obtained instantly online. Sole proprietors without employees may use their SSN, but an EIN is recommended for privacy and professional credibility.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

  2. IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)

    Required for any paid preparer who prepares or assists in preparing federal tax returns for clients. If your bookkeeping practice includes any federal tax return preparation, you must obtain and renew your PTIN annually. Bookkeeping-only services (no tax return preparation) do not require a PTIN.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online at IRS.gov)

State of Michigan

2 stops

  1. Michigan Business Registration

    Bookkeeping and accounting service businesses operating in Michigan must register with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) (or equivalent) if structured as an LLC, corporation, or partnership. Sole proprietors operating under a trade name must file a DBA (Doing Business As) registration with the state or county clerk. An LLC is strongly recommended for liability protection.

    Official government source

    $50 (LLC Articles of Organization filing fee, flat); corporation/partnership fees and county DBA fees differ and are separate1–5 business days (online filing)

  2. Michigan Sales/Use Tax Registration (if applicable)

    Bookkeeping and accounting services are generally not subject to Michigan sales tax: Michigan taxes retail sales of tangible personal property, and only a short enumerated list of services (MCL 205.93a). If the business sells tangible goods (e.g. software on physical media, printed reports), a sales tax license is required. Register with the Michigan Department of Treasury — Michigan's tax agency; there is no 'Michigan Department of Revenue.'

    Official government source

    Free — the Michigan Department of Treasury charges no fee to register a business for sales, use, or withholding taxOnline through Michigan Treasury Online: the application is recognized within 15 minutes and can take up to 48 hours to process. By paper (Registration Booklet, Form 518): allow 7-10 days for mailing plus about 2 additional weeks for processing.

City of Detroit / Wayne County

2 stops

  1. Detroit General Business License

    The City of Detroit does not require a general business license, business tax certificate, or occupational license for bookkeeping or accounting services. BSEED (Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department) licenses only specific enumerated categories (vendors, lodging, amusement venues, consumer services, gas stations, second-hand dealers) — bookkeeping/accounting is not among them, so no city-wide registration or annual renewal applies.

    Official government source

    $0 — no general business license appliesN/A

  2. Detroit Home Business Zoning Compliance (if home-based)

    Bookkeeping businesses operated from a residence in Detroit must comply with the Zoning Ordinance's home-occupation/accessory-use provisions (no client foot traffic, no exterior signage, limited storage of business materials). Detroit publishes no standalone 'Home Occupation Permit' product; if the use exceeds as-of-right limits it requires Special Land Use / site plan review through BSEED Zoning & Special Land Use. Purely online bookkeeping typically qualifies as an as-of-right accessory use with no separate application.

    Official government source

    $0 as-of-right. If zoning review is triggered (BSEED Fee Schedule eff. 1/1/2024, mod. 7/18/2025): Minor Site Plan Review $210, Major Site Plan Review $466, Special Land Use Hearing $1,071, zoning verification letter $93.N/A as-of-right; several weeks if Special Land Use review with a public hearing is required

Terminus

Open for business — est. $75–$250 · 1–3 weeks to register business and obtain all required licenses

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