Start a Business in Pennsylvania
Costs, permits, taxes, and requirements for PA.
- Cost rank
- 27th of 50
- 96% of the national average · 23 states cost more
- State income tax
- 3.07%
- Charged on top of federal income tax
- Sales tax
- 6%
- You collect it on taxable sales and remit it to the state
- LLC filing fee
- $125
- One-off, paid to the Secretary of State · 16th most expensive of 50 (median $100)
Where Pennsylvania sits on cost
Cheapest third to most expensive third, by startup cost index. Select a state to open its page; on desktop, hover shows its index and rank.
What's different in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's local tax layer is the thing that catches new owners out: municipalities and school districts levy their own taxes on earned income and, in many places, on business activity, so two addresses fifteen minutes apart can carry different obligations for the same trade. Philadelphia runs its own business tax regime on top of the state's, and a business operating in the city needs to plan for it separately. Liquor licences are limited in number and change hands on a private market, which makes them a capital item rather than an application for anyone opening a bar or a restaurant. Outside the two big metros the state is rural, and costs fall accordingly.
- Taxes change by municipality
- Local earned income and business taxes vary between neighbouring townships; confirm the exact address.
- Philadelphia is a separate regime
- City business taxes apply on top of state ones for anything operating inside the city.
- A liquor licence is an asset
- Licences are capped and bought from existing holders, so budget for a purchase rather than a fee.
Business Guides for Pennsylvania
All 53, cheapest first. Ranges are what that business actually costs in PA.
Under $10K 20
- Notary Services $294 – $1,960
- Social Media Management $475 – $2,875
- Pet Sitting $480 – $2,880
- Web Design $475 – $4,800
- Dog Walking $480 – $4,800
- Tutoring $475 – $9,600
- E-Commerce $480 – $9,600
- Graphic Design $950 – $9,600
- Window Cleaning $960 – $9,600
- Bookkeeping $1,925 – $9,600
- Cleaning Business $2,000 – $10,000
- Handyman $2,000 – $10,000
- Personal Training $2,000 – $10,000
- House Painting $1,920 – $14,400
- Pool Cleaning $1,920 – $14,400
- Tax Preparation $1,925 – $14,400
- Photography $2,000 – $15,000
- Vending Machine $2,940 – $14,700
- Lawn Care $3,000 – $15,000
- Pressure Washing $3,000 – $15,000
$10K – $50K 18
- Consulting $950 – $19,200
- Event Planning $1,925 – $19,200
- DJ Service $2,875 – $19,200
- Interior Design $1,920 – $24,000
- Carpet Cleaning $4,800 – $24,000
- Massage Therapy $4,800 – $24,000
- Mobile Spa $7,840 – $24,500
- Wedding Photography $9,600 – $38,400
- Junk Removal $4,800 – $48,000
- Auto Detailing $5,000 – $50,000
- Landscaping $5,000 – $50,000
- Pest Control $9,600 – $48,000
- Pet Grooming $4,800 – $72,000
- Catering $9,600 – $72,000
- Florist $9,600 – $72,000
- Tree Service $9,600 – $72,000
- Electrician $14,400 – $72,000
- Plumbing $14,400 – $72,000
$50K and up 15
- Bakery $2,000 – $100,000
- Yoga Studio $14,400 – $96,000
- HVAC $19,200 – $96,000
- Moving Company $19,600 – $98,000
- Barber Shop $25,500 – $122,400
- Nail Salon $30,600 – $153,000
- Hair Salon $35,700 – $153,000
- Gym $51,000 – $153,000
- Food Truck $50,000 – $200,000
- Ice Cream Shop $48,000 – $288,000
- Coffee Shop $80,000 – $300,000
- Daycare $4,800 – $480,000
- Car Wash $48,000 – $480,000
- Laundromat $96,000 – $480,000
- Restaurant $178,500 – $510,000
Get a personalized cost estimate for Pennsylvania
Calculate CostsBusiness Requirements in Pennsylvania
Register Your Business
File with Pennsylvania Secretary of State. LLC fee: $125
Get Business License
Most cities require a general business license ($50-$300).
Get EIN
Free from IRS. Required for bank accounts and taxes.
Register for Sales Tax
State rate: 6%. Local taxes may apply.
Get Business Insurance
General liability protects from lawsuits. Often required by landlords.