Free guide · Texas

How to start a business in Texas.

Business formation in Texas runs through the Texas Secretary of State, the official government office. You can file there directly for just the state's own filing fee, and nobody can legalize your business "better" than the state itself. Fees change, so the current number is always on the official site.

Storing it saves Start a Business to your idea vault with the full checklist, free, so you can come back and launch when Texas paperwork day arrives.

Start with an idea

The 10 hottest business ideas to start in Texas right now.

Registration comes later. First, the fun part: the idea. These ten are tuned to Texas's real economy right now. Tap any one to explore it and find more like it inside the platform.

1. 1
   Energy and oilfield services

   Texas leads the nation in oil, gas, and increasingly renewables.

2. 2
   BBQ, food trucks, and Tex-Mex ventures

   A legendary food culture and warm weather keep mobile food thriving.

3. 3
   HVAC installation and repair

   Brutal summer heat makes air conditioning essential everywhere.

4. 4
   Logistics and freight brokerage

   Vast size, ports, and Mexico trade make it a distribution giant.

5. 5
   Home construction and remodeling

   Explosive population growth keeps builders in constant demand.

6. 6
   Tech and software startups

   Austin has become a top-tier tech hub rivaling the coasts.

7. 7
   Solar and clean-energy installation

   Abundant sun and land make Texas a renewables leader too.

8. 8
   Landscaping and lawn care

   A long growing season means year-round recurring revenue.

9. 9
   Cross-border trade services

   The Mexico border drives huge import-export activity.

10. 10
    Healthcare and senior services

    A fast-growing, aging population needs clinics and care.

Why Texas is a great place to build.

Texas charges no state income tax and has one of the largest, fastest-growing economies in the world, spanning energy, technology, logistics, and agriculture. Businesses and people keep relocating here, which continually expands the customer base. Low costs, no income tax, and explosive growth make it one of the best states in America to start a business.

Local help for Texas founders.

Texas founders have real, free help within reach. The state's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network offers no-cost advising, and volunteer mentors through SCORE chapters have built businesses like yours. The Secretary of State and state commerce resources publish plain guides on formation, licensing, and taxes, so lean on them before you ever pay a middleman.

Texas, specifically.

Everything really is bigger in Texas: the energy fields, the ranches, the barbecue, and the ambition. Austin draws the tech crowd, Houston runs energy and medicine, Dallas the corporations, and San Antonio the culture. With no income tax and endless newcomers, Texas is a promised land for entrepreneurs, and it knows it.

The six steps, in order

1. 1

   Pick your business structure

   Most first businesses in Texas choose an LLC for the liability separation between the business and your personal life. Sole proprietorships are simpler but offer no separation; corporations fit businesses raising investment.

2. 2

   Check that your business name is free

   Search the Texas Secretary of State's business registry to confirm nobody in Texas already holds the name, and check the matching web domain at the same time. Our free name generator checks the domain with every name it suggests.

3. 3

   File your formation documents with the Texas Secretary of State

   This is the official step that makes the business real. File directly on the state's own site and pay only Texas's filing fee. Every state requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state; if you live in Texas, you can usually be your own.

4. 4

   Get your EIN free from the IRS

   The Employer Identification Number is the business's tax ID. The IRS issues it directly at irs.gov in about five minutes, at no charge. Never pay anyone for an EIN alone. Get the EIN at irs.gov ↗

5. 5

   Check for licenses and permits

   Many businesses also need a city or county business license, and some industries need Texas state licenses. The Texas Secretary of State's site and your city hall list what applies.

6. 6

   Open the business bank account and connect payments

   Keep business money separate from day one: it protects the legal separation your LLC exists for and keeps taxes clean. Bring your EIN and formation documents to the bank. Our free Get Paid directory lists business banks and payment processors in the order to set them up.