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BUSINESS LICENSING

Purchase a NEW Alaska Business License Online

Note: If you are attempting to RENEW an existing business license please go to RENEW an Alaska Business License Online.

TO BEGIN: Review, Prepare, and Scroll Down

To avoid errors and ensure compliance with Alaska Business Licensing Statutes (law) and Regulations, you are strongly encouraged to REVIEW the following information, PREPARE your answers, and SCROLL DOWN to purchase your NEW business license online for immediate processing.

1. How do I get started?

Go to How To Get Licensed.

For additional helpful information, FAQs, and Resources go to the Business License Webpage.

2. What is your business organizational structure?

Select your organizational structure carefully, per 12 AAC 02.010, 12 AAC 02.015, and 12 AAC 12.010(e) business license fees are non-refundable once the business license has been issued.

Sole Proprietorship: is owned by one (1) natural individual.

Note: a sole proprietorship cannot use an entity indicator (i.e. INC, LLC, LLP, LP, etc.) in the business name.

Partnership: is when two or more “persons” (individual or entity) share ownership.

Note: a partnership cannot use an entity indicator (i.e. INC, LLC, LLP, LP, etc.) in the business name.

Entity: May be a corporation (INC), limited liability company (LLC), limited liability partnership (LLP), limited partnership (LP), or other entity type.

Note: entity indicators whether words (i.e. corporation, limited liability company, etc.) or abbreviations (i.e. INC, LLC, LLP, LP, etc.) can only be used in the business name IF the business is owned by one (1) entity which is already on record with the Corporations Section AND the business name will exactly match the entity’s name. You will be required to provide the Alaska Entity Number in the Owner section of the application.

For more information about different organizational structures go to Business Structure FAQs.

3. What will be your business name?

Select your business name carefully, per 12 AAC 02.010, 12 AAC 02.015, and 12 AAC 12.010(e) business license fees are non-refundable once the business license has been issued.

Research your business name carefully. For more information please go to Selecting a Name for Your Business.

Per 12 AAC 12.020(a) a business license is required for each different business name that you will be engaging business activity.

Per 12 AAC 12.020(g) you must operate and advertise in the exact name on your business license.

Entity indicators whether words (i.e. corporation, limited liability company, etc.) or abbreviations (i.e. INC, LLC, LLP, LP, etc.) can only be used in the business name IF the business is owned by one (1) entity which is already on record with the Corporations Section AND the business name will exactly match the entity’s name. You will be required to provide the Alaska Entity Number in the Owner section of the application.

Important: Per Corporations Statutes (law) you cannot use entity indicators (words or abbreviations) that imply an entity unless it is an entity on record with the Corporations Section of this Division.

A business license does not give you exclusive rights to your business name. For more information go to Reserve or Register a Business Name.

Note: some special characters or symbols may not be accepted.

4. What business activities will you be engaging in?

Business activities are identified by Line of Business and Alaska NAICS Codes. You may provide up to ten (10) Line of Business and Alaska NAICS codes to identify your business activities.

Per AS 43.70.020(a)(2) and 12 AAC 12.030(2), you must indicate your line of business activities by providing the six-digit NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes which best describes the business activities you will be engaging in.

Important: per AS 43.70.020(a)(2) and 12 AAC 12.030(2), if any of your business activities require Professional Licensing then you must list those NAICS Codes as your primary and/or secondary NAICS codes and obtain your Professional License prior to applying for your business license. You will be asked to provide and validate your Professional License.

NAICS is the North American Industry Classification System developed as the standard for use by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for statistical data describing the US economy.

Line of Business is the first two digits of the six-digit NAICS code. The Line of Business numbers and descriptions will appear on your business license certificate.

Important: The State of Alaska uses a portion of the 2007 Federal U.S. Census Bureau NAICS Codes. It is important that you ensure the NAICS code you select and provide to this division is valid in the State of Alaska. Click here for more information about the State of Alaska recognized NAICS codes.

5. Is a physical presence, location, or address in Alaska required?

No. The requirement to obtain an Alaska Business License is based on business activity; it is not based upon whether you have a physical presence, location, or address in the State of Alaska.

If any portion of a business activity occurs within the State of Alaska then the expectation, per Alaska Statutes (law), is the business will have an Alaska Business License.

Per AS 43.70.020(a) a business license is required for the privilege of engaging in a business in the State of Alaska.

Per AS 43.70.110(1) "Business" means a for-profit or non-profit entity engaging or offering to engage in a trade, a service, a profession, or an activity with the goal of receiving a financial benefit in exchange for the provision of services, or goods, or other property.

Per AS 43.70.020(f) a business license may cover multiple lines of business. For more information go to: Multiple Lines of Business FAQs

Per AS 43.70.105 there are few exemptions to having a business license. An exemption may exist under business licensing statutes but may not exist under other program or agency statutes. Procurement statutory requirements, professional licensing requirements, and other program requirements may supersede the business licensing exemption statutes.

For more information, go to: Alaska Business Licensing Statutes (law) and Regulations

6. Who will be the Owner of your business?

Provide the owner’s names carefully, per 12 AAC 02.010, 12 AAC 02.015, and 12 AAC 12.010(e) business license fees are non-refundable once the business license has been issued.

Per AS 43.70.020(a)(1) and 12 AAC 12.030(3) & (4), you must provide the name(s) and address(es) of who owns the business license.

If the Owner will be only one (1) natural individual (this is considered a sole proprietorship) then in the Owner section of the application select “Individual” and provide the full legal name of the one (1) natural individual who will own the business license.

OR

If the Owner will be only one (1) entity (i.e. INC, LLC, LLP, LP, etc.), which is already on record with the Corporations Section, then in the Owner Section of the application select “Entity”, provide its Alaska Entity Number and click Validate. Note: Do not provide who owns the entity; ownership of the entity will be on the entity’s record with the Corporations Section.

OR

If the Owner will consist of two or more “persons” (individual or entity), this is considered a partnership, then in the Owner section of the application provide the name of all partners (individual or entity):

  • If the partner is a natural person select “Individual” and provide their full legal name;
  • If the partner is an entity (i.e. INC, LLC, LLP, LP, etc.), which is already on record with the Corporations Section, then select “Entity”, provide its Alaska Entity Number and click Validate. Note: Do not provide who owns the entity; ownership of the entity will be on the entity’s record with the Corporations Section.

OR

If Owner is None-of-the-above (such as trust, tribe, village, municipality, unincorporated organization, etc.) then online filing is not available and you must apply hardcopy (via in-person, fax, or U.S. Mail) by submitting Business License: NEW Application (form 08-4181), along with the appropriate fees, and in the Ownership Section of the application select “OTHER” and provide the requested information. For security reasons, do not email filings, payment, or other confidential information.

Note: Hardcopy applications are processed in date order received by the Business License Section. Standard hardcopy processing time from March-September is 10-15 business days. During heavy business license filing season (October-February) the process time will be delayed.

7. Will you be selling tobacco products, electronic smoking products, or products containing nicotine?

Per AS 43.70.075, if you sell tobacco products, electronic smoking products, or products containing nicotine, then you must have an Endorsement.

An endorsement cannot stand on its own: it must be attached to a current business license and will expire on the same date as the business license to which it is attached.

An Endorsement is required for each location or outlet where tobacco products, electronic smoking products, or products containing nicotine, are sold.

Per AS 43.70.075(b) and 12 AAC 12.010(d), an Endorsement fee is in addition to the business licensing fee and is a flat rate of $100 per location, whether you purchase a one or two-year business license.

TIP: For a better bargain, purchase a business license with Endorsement(s) for two years.

Endorsement fees are non-refundable once the endorsement has been issued, per 12 AAC 02.010, 12 AAC 02.015, and 12 AAC 12.010(e).

For more information, go to: Endorsement FAQs

8. What will be your NEW business licensing fee?

Business license fees are non-refundable once the business license has been issued, per 12 AAC 02.010, 12 AAC 02.015, and 12 AAC 12.010(e).

All business licenses expire on December 31st. The expiring year depends on your choice of an annual (1 year) or biennial (2 year) license.

Regular Business License Fee: $50 per calendar year and may be purchased for 1 or 2 years.

Senior Discount Fee: To qualify for this discount the business license must be owned by one (1) natural individual (a sole proprietor) who is 65 years or older or will turn 65 during the licensing period to which applying and must provide the individual’s date of birth.

Disabled Veteran Discount: To qualify for this discount the business license must be owned by one (1) natural individual (a sole proprietor) who is “service-connected” disabled. To initially receive this discount, you must apply hardcopy (via in-person, fax, or U.S. Mail) by submitting Business License: NEW Application (form 08-4181) along with the appropriate fees and a copy of your “service-connected” disability determination letter from Veteran Affairs or “service-connected” military ID. Do not send documentation containing medical information.

Note: per AS 43.70.030(a) only one qualified discount fee (senior or disabled veteran discount) may be applied to a business license fee.

Online filing payment may be made by major credit card.

If you need to pay by check or money order, then file hardcopy (via in-person, fax, or U.S. Mail) by submitting Business License: NEW Application (form 08-4181) along with the appropriate fees.

Do not email payments or filings. For security reasons, do not email filings, payment, or other confidential information.

Hardcopy applications are processed in date order received by the Business License Section. Standard hardcopy processing time from March-September is 10-15 business days. During heavy business license filing season (October-February) the process time will be delayed.

9. What are Alaska Business Licensing Statutes and Regulations?

Alaska Business Licensing Statutes (law) and Regulations

For additional helpful information and FAQs go to the Business Licensing webpage.

10. I need help getting started, where can I go for help?

Wherever your business is located within the state, it is your responsibility to be aware of the federal, state, and local government laws and regulations which may impact your business.

The following links will guide you to helpful business resources:

Alaska Small Business Development Center
IRS Small Business Center
Landlord/Tenant Handbook
Nonprofit Community Association Handbook
Small Business Assistance Center
U.S. Small Business Administration
Workshops for Small Business

In addition, you may wish to contact a professional association or organization affiliated with your business activity.

If you need further assistance you are advised to seek the services of an attorney or other qualified professional.

Need a Lawyer? Contact the Lawyer Referral Service.

11. Who cannot purchase a NEW business license online?

Disabled Veteran Discount: “Service-connected” discounted new business licenses which are owned by one (1) natural individual (a sole proprietor) veteran who qualifies for the “service-connected” disabled veteran discount must initially apply hardcopy (via in-person, fax, or U.S. Mail) by submitting Business License: NEW Application (form 08-4181) along with the appropriate fees and a copy of your “service-connected” disability determination letter from Veteran Affairs or “service-connected” military ID. Do not send documentation containing medical information.

If Owner is not a natural "Individual" or an "Entitiy" on record with the Corporations Section (such as trust, tribe, village, municipality, unincorporated oranization, etc.) then online filing is not available and you must apply hardcopy (via in-person, fax, or U.S. Mail) by submitting Business License: NEW Application (form 08-4181), along with the appropriate fees, and in the Ownership Section of the application select "OTHER" and provide the reqested information.

If there are mulitiple "Entity" Owners and one or more owning entity are not on record with the Corporations Section then online filing is not available and you must apply hardcopy (via in-person, fax, or U.S. Mail) by submitting Business License: NEW Application (form 08-4181), along with the appropriate fees, and in the Ownership Section of the application select "PARTNERSHIP" and provide the requested information. Important: if there are mulitple entity owners then at least one entity must be on record with the Corporations Section.

A foreign (non-Alaskan) entity seeking exemption from filing with the Corporations Section must file by hardcopy and provide the required documents. For more information go to Exemptions FAQs.

You do not have a major credit card. Apply hardcopy (via in-person, fax, or U.S. Mail) by submitting Business License: NEW Application (form 08-4181) along with the appropriate fees.

Do not email payments or filings.For security reasons, do not email filings, payment, or other confidential information.

Hardcopy applications are processed in date order received by the Business License Section. Standard hardcopy processing time from March-September is 10-15 business days. During heavy business license filing season (October-February) the process time will be delayed.

Already applied hardcopy? If you have already submitted a hardcopy business license application and payment for the same business do not duplicate the application process and payment by filing online.

Business license fees are non-refundable once the business license has been issued, per 12 AAC 02.010, 12 AAC 02.015, and 12 AAC 12.010(e).

IMPORTANT! Before you purchase a NEW business license online:

You are strongly encouraged to review the above information and prepare your answers before proceeding to purchase your new business license.

Have you reviewed the above information to avoid errors and ensure compliance with Business Licensing Statutes (law) and regulations for your new business license?

Be prepared with all the necessary information before you begin online filing.

Move through in a smooth and timely manner without pausing to avoid the system timing you out.

For this program to work properly your computer must have JavaScript and Cookies enabled in your browser.

Using the BACK or FORWARD buttons will cause you to lose your information and you will need to start at the beginning of the program.

CHECK AND RE-CHECK YOUR DATA ENTRY AND SPELLING before proceeding to payment.


What can you expect after you have successfully filed online:

You will be able to print your Business License certificate immediately, which will include your NEW Alaska Business License Number.

Print the confirmation page at the end of the process for your records; it contains important information regarding your Business License purchase.

Per 12 AAC 02.010, 12 AAC 02.015, and 12 AAC 12.010(e) business license fees are non-refundable once the business license has been issued.

This Division does not provide legal advice. The information contained within these webpages is provided for your convenience and is not to be interpreted as legal advice. It is your responsibility to know what your registering, reporting and filing requirements are based on your specific business activities. Not knowing what is expected of you may not preclude you from the legal obligation to meet these requirements and compliance with the law. You are encouraged to seek the advice of a professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Attorney if you need additional assistance.

Contact Us
Professional Licensing Section Email: License@Alaska.Gov
Corporations Section Email: Corporations@Alaska.Gov
Business Licensing Section Email: BusinessLicense@Alaska.Gov