Business & Legal Toolkit for Farms
Affiliate disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, American Share Market may earn a commission from the company at no extra cost to you. We never receive any part of an attorney's fee. We are not a law firm and we do not tell you what the law requires or what you owe.
Which do I need?
Start your farm business
Free option: Your state's business filing office. In Virginia, that is the State Corporation Commission.
Get an EIN
Free option: The IRS issues an EIN at no charge.
Registered agent and address privacy
Free option: You can serve as your own registered agent in many states. Your home address may then be public.
DBA or farm name
Free option: The state or county filing office records a trade name. Search your state's business filing office.
Trademark your farm brand
Free option: Search the federal trademark records yourself.
Business licenses and permits
Free option: A city or county clerk issues the local license. State pages on this site are a starting list, not a permit.
Farm contracts and documents
Free option: A template is not a review. Have a licensed lawyer read anything you sign.
Talk to a lawyer
SCORE is at score.org. Legal aid starts at lsc.gov. UpCounsel lists lawyers. We are not paid for these links.
Bookkeeping and taxes
Free option: The IRS Farmer's Tax Guide, Publication 225.
Questions
Is American Share Market a law firm?
No. We do not tell you what the law requires or what you owe.
Does the market take part of a lawyer's fee?
No. We never receive any part of an attorney's fee.
Where do I get an EIN?
The IRS issues an EIN at no charge.
What does Virginia charge to form an LLC?
The Virginia State Corporation Commission charges $100 to form an LLC and $50 a year after that. A city or county business license is separate.