Bookkeeping Permit Requirements in Green Bay, WI

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

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (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

   Free·Immediate (online at IRS.gov)

   Free

   Immediate (online at IRS.gov)

1. Wisconsin Business Registration

   Bookkeeping and accounting businesses operating in Wisconsin as an LLC, corporation or partnership register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). Wisconsin's DBA filing under Wis. Stat. 134.17 is narrow: it applies only when a business operates under a corporate-sounding name in order to obtain credit, and it is recorded with the county Register of Deeds - not with the state or a county clerk, and not as a general requirement for every trade name. An LLC is commonly chosen for liability protection.

   Official government source

   DFI filing fees: limited liability company $130 online / $170 by paper; business corporation $100; limited partnership $70; nonstock corporation $35. Annual report thereafter $25 online ($40 by paper) for an LLC or business corporation.·DFI does not publish a guaranteed standard turnaround; paid expedited service is available at $100 (next business day), $250 (four hours, in person) or $500 (one hour, in person).

   DFI filing fees: limited liability company $130 online / $170 by paper; business corporation $100; limited partnership $70; nonstock corporation $35. Annual report thereafter $25 online ($40 by paper) for an LLC or business corporation.

   DFI does not publish a guaranteed standard turnaround; paid expedited service is available at $100 (next business day), $250 (four hours, in person) or $500 (one hour, in person).

2. Wisconsin Seller's Permit / Business Tax Registration (rarely needed for bookkeeping)

   Bookkeeping and accounting are not on Wisconsin's list of taxable services in DOR Publication 201, so your fees are not taxable and you generally need no seller's permit. The obligation that does apply runs the other way: Pub. 201 treats the accounting service provider as the final consumer of the paper, forms, reports and binders it hands to clients, so you owe sales or use tax on those purchases yourself. Register for a seller's permit only if you separately make retail sales of taxable goods, prewritten computer software, or taxable digital goods.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time Business Tax Registration (BTR) fee if you do need to register, then $10 to renew every two years. The $20 is the same regardless of how many locations need a seller's permit.·Register online through My Tax Account. DOR does not publish a guaranteed processing time - contact [email protected] or 608-266-2776 to check status.

   $20 one-time Business Tax Registration (BTR) fee if you do need to register, then $10 to renew every two years. The $20 is the same regardless of how many locations need a seller's permit.

   Register online through My Tax Account. DOR does not publish a guaranteed processing time - contact [email protected] or 608-266-2776 to check status.

1. Green Bay General Business License

   Green Bay does not require a general/all-purpose business license. The City Clerk's office (Green Bay Municipal Code Ch. 10) licenses only specific regulated categories (e.g. Adult Entertainment, Alarm Business, Direct Seller/Solicitor, Entertainment Facility, Home-Based Businesses, Junk Collector, Massage Establishments, Mobile Food Vendor, Public Vehicle, Salvage, Secondhand Dealer, Tree & Brush Trimmer). Bookkeeping and accounting services are not a regulated category on the City Clerk's license list, so no general business license is required in Green Bay.

   Official government source

   not applicable·not applicable

   not applicable

   not applicable

2. Green Bay Home Occupation Application (if home-based)

   A bookkeeping business run from a residence in Green Bay needs a home-based occupation approval from the Department of Community & Economic Development under Green Bay Municipal Code Ch. 44. Standard restrictions apply: no client foot traffic, no exterior signage and limited storage of business materials. An online-only bookkeeping practice normally meets them easily.

   Official government source

   $25.00 initial home-based occupation application fee and $10.00 annual renewal (City of Green Bay Fee Schedule, Sec. 44-112).·Not published - confirm current review times with the City of Green Bay Department of Community & Economic Development.

   $25.00 initial home-based occupation application fee and $10.00 annual renewal (City of Green Bay Fee Schedule, Sec. 44-112).

   Not published - confirm current review times with the City of Green Bay Department of Community & Economic Development.

Official Sources

• Green Bay Business Licensing
• IRS PTIN Requirements for Tax Return Preparers
• IRS EIN Application

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