The Golden State is home to many entrepreneurs who must figure out how to get a small business license in California. The Business Licensing Program (BLP) is a regulatory requirement, not a tax based on a company's gross revenue. Fortunately, there are certain individuals and organizations that are exempt from the obligation to obtain a business license. For instance, any employee whose compensation is reported on a federal Form W-2 is not considered to be in business and therefore does not need to obtain a business license.
This includes employees of the University of California and all of its campuses, such as UCLA. In addition, certain types of businesses may be exempt from the requirement to obtain a business license. For example, some businesses that are regulated by other state or federal agencies may be exempt from the BLP. It is important to check with the relevant agency to determine if this exemption applies.
Finally, some businesses may be exempt from the BLP if they meet certain criteria. For example, businesses that have gross receipts of less than $100,000 per year may be exempt from the BLP. It is important to check with the relevant agency to determine if this exemption applies.
