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Start a convenience store

Open your convenience store.Get every license in place.

Our office forms your grocery or convenience store company in any state, gets the EIN, runs payroll and keeps your books, and our agency insures the store, its inventory and your staff.

Start my convenience storeGet an insurance quote

Reviewed by Orkun Ozkaymak, CPA, MBAClients in all 50 states and abroad

$500company setup, EIN included
50 + DCstates we form companies in
1 officeformation, taxes and insurance
2011preparing taxes since
Step by step

How to open a convenience store

  1. 1

    Form the company and get an EIN

    Our office forms your LLC or corporation in the state where you open and gets the EIN before you sign the lease or buy the store, so every license is issued to the company.

  2. 2

    Register for sales tax

    Register with your state's revenue department and get a resale certificate, so you can buy inventory from distributors without paying tax and collect tax on taxable sales.

  3. 3

    Get food and city licenses

    Most cities require a business license, and stores selling food need a retail food permit from the local health department after an inspection. Check the rules for your store address.

  4. 4

    Add tobacco and liquor licenses

    Selling tobacco or vapes usually requires a state retailer license and sometimes a city license. Beer, wine or liquor needs state and local liquor licenses, which some areas limit.

  5. 5

    Insure the store and run payroll

    Our agency quotes property, general liability, liquor liability and workers' compensation. Our office runs payroll and keeps your books in QuickBooks Online.

Filings and prices

What our office files for you.Prices shown before you send.

Pick what you need on the request form. Ozfield's fees are shown here; government fees are passed through at cost.

  • Illinois sales tax registration and resale certificate IllinoisRegisters the company with the Illinois Department of Revenue.
    $250
  • Food service and health permit help Illinois
    Quoted by our office
  • Liquor license help IllinoisState and local liquor licenses.
    Quoted by our office
  • Illinois tobacco retailer license Illinois
    Quoted by our office
  • City of Chicago business license IllinoisThe city fee is $500 or $1,000 for 2 years depending on the license type, paid to the city.
    $179
  • Payroll and state unemployment setupPayroll accounts, state unemployment registration and your first payroll.
    Quoted by our office
Company setup is $500 plus the state fee, EIN included.
The request form adds your filings and shows the full estimate as you go.
Build my estimate
Insurance from the same office

Coverage in place on day one.Quoted by our agency.

Check the coverage you want on the request form and our insurance team sends quotes from multiple carriers. Nothing is bound without your OK.

Start my convenience storeGet a quote only
  • General liability
  • Property
  • Liquor liability
  • Workers' compensation
After you open

The filings that come every year.

Our office keeps these on your calendar so nothing is missed. How we work with grocery and convenience stores →

Illinois sales tax

20th of each month. Form ST-1 with high rate, low rate and local grocery taxes.

Form 941 and state payroll

Quarterly. Withholding and unemployment.

Inventory count

Year end. Physical count and valuation for your return.

Questions

What new owners ask us.

Something else on your mind? Call 773-536-9272 and our office will help, in English or Turkish.

What licenses do I need to open a convenience store?
Most stores need state sales tax registration, a city or county business license, and a retail food permit with a health inspection if you sell food. Selling tobacco or vape products usually requires a state retailer license. Selling beer, wine or liquor requires state and local liquor licenses. Our office forms your company and gets the EIN every application asks for.
Do I need a license to sell tobacco and vapes?
Most states require a tobacco retailer license for each store that sells cigarettes, other tobacco products or electronic cigarettes, and many cities add their own license. Federal law sets the minimum age at 21, so you must check ID. Some states and cities also restrict flavored products. Check your state revenue or health department before you stock the shelves.
Can I sell beer and liquor in my store?
Packaged beer, wine and liquor sales need a license from your state liquor agency and approval from your city or county. Some states limit liquor sales in grocery or convenience stores, and some cities cap or pause new licenses in certain areas. Check the address before you sign a lease. Our agency quotes liquor liability once you are licensed.
How are groceries taxed?
Each state sets its own rules. Many states exempt grocery food or tax it at a lower rate, while prepared food, candy, soft drinks and general merchandise are often taxed at the full rate. Some cities and counties add a local tax. Set up your register categories to match your state's rules so each item is taxed correctly.

Ready to start your convenience store?

Answer a few questions, see your estimate and send it to our office.

Start my convenience store773-536-9272