Bookkeeping Permit Requirements in Hattiesburg, MS

Complete permit and license guide for starting a bookkeeping in Hattiesburg, Forrest County, Mississippi.

Verified 2026-09-03 6 stops $75–$250 est. 1–3 weeks to register business and obtain all required licenses
Get my personalized route — $14.99

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 Mississippi

2 stops

  1. Mississippi Business Registration (Secretary of State)

    Bookkeeping and accounting service businesses operating in Mississippi as an LLC, corporation, limited partnership, or registered partnership must register with the Mississippi Secretary of State. Sole proprietors operating under a trade name file a Fictitious Business Name Registration with the Secretary of State (Mississippi has no county-level DBA registry). An LLC is commonly chosen for liability protection.

    Official government source

    $50 (Certificate of Formation of a Mississippi LLC; also $50 for a Mississippi LP certificate); $25 (Fictitious Business Name Registration), per the Secretary of State's official Services & Fees schedule.Not published by the Secretary of State; filings are submitted online through the business services portal — confirm current processing times with Business Services (601-359-1633).

  2. Mississippi Sales/Use Tax Permit (if selling taxable goods)

    Bookkeeping and accounting services are not among the services Mississippi taxes under Miss. Code Ann. Section 27-65-23, so a practice that only bills for professional services does not collect sales tax. If you also sell tangible goods - software on physical media, printed reports, supplies - you must register with the Mississippi Department of Revenue for a sales tax permit and collect the 7% state rate.

    Official government source

    No fee - the Mississippi Department of Revenue does not charge for a sales tax permit.Register online through TAP; allow about two weeks to receive your permit and filing information by mail.

City of Hattiesburg / Forrest County

2 stops

  1. City of Hattiesburg City Clerk/Tax Division - Privilege Tax License

    All businesses must hold a Privilege Tax License to operate in Hattiesburg, issued by the City Clerk/Tax Division. For a bookkeeping or accounting service this is a straightforward administrative registration - no specialized local certification is required beyond it. The application asks for the number of employees and/or the wholesale value of inventory. Renewed annually and displayed at the place of business.

    Official government source

    Set under Mississippi's privilege tax schedule from the number of employees and/or wholesale value of inventory; Hattiesburg does not publish a fee table - the Tax Division quotes the amount at application (601-545-4523).Not published by the City; applications are filed in person with the City Clerk/Tax Division on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 200 Forrest Street (601-545-4523).

  2. City of Hattiesburg - Home Occupation Zoning Approval

    A bookkeeping business run from a residence in Hattiesburg must meet the home-occupation conditions in the City's land development code - typically no client foot traffic, no exterior signage, and limited storage of business materials. The Planning Division confirms whether your address and activity qualify and whether a zoning application is needed; an online-only bookkeeping practice normally qualifies without difficulty. The city Privilege Tax License is still required.

    Official government source

    Hattiesburg does not publish a home occupation fee; the Planning Division quotes any applicable charge when it reviews your address (601-545-4599).Not published by the City; a pre-application meeting with Planning staff is required before any formal zoning application (601-545-4599).

Terminus

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

Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?

Get my personalized route — $14.99

Official Sources

Related Guides