BUSINESS LICENSES

The State of Alabama and Madison County require all persons, firms, or corporations that engage in or transact any trade, business, commerce, occupation, vocation, or profession for gain or profit to pay a license fee. You may need a State License, a Madison County License, or a combination of the two depending on the nature of your business. You should obtain a business license prior to opening your business.

FEES

License fees are determined by the exact nature and type of your business. You should contact the Madison County License Department for more information. Some licenses require State Regulatory Permits in order to issue, such as auto dealers, food establishments, and air conditioning contractors.

HOW DO I GET A BUSINESS LICENSE?

For a new business or a new location of an existing business, you must contact the Madison County License Department at 256-532-3323, 3314, or 3316. Be prepared to give a detailed description of the type of business you will be conducting. This will determine the types of licenses required.

Description of State Licenses - www.ador.state.al.us

WHO ELSE SHOULD I CONTACT?

You should contact the city or municipality in which your business is located regarding any taxes or licenses they may require. You may also want to contact the following agencies regarding guidelines and requirements for new businesses:

State of Alabama Department of Revenue Sales Tax
www.ador.state.al.us
4920 Corporate Drive, Suite H
Huntsville AL 35806
256-837-2319

Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.gov
806 Governors Drive
Huntsville AL 35801
256-829-3676

Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Administration
http://www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/chamber/programs/small_biz/smallbiz.html
225 Church St
Huntsville AL 35801
256-535-2061

City of Huntsville
www.huntsvilleal.gov
308 Fountain Cir
Huntsville AL 35801
256-427-5082 - General Business
256-427-5331 - Contractors/Inspection/Zoning

City of Madison County
100 Hughes Rd
Madison AL 35758
256-772-5654 - Business
256-772-5600 - Inspection

City of Owens Cross Roads
P O Box 158 (Old 431 Hwy)
Owens Cross Roads AL 35763
256-725-4163

City of New Hope
P O Box 519 (Main Dr)
New Hope AL 35760
256-723-2616

City of Gurley
P O Box 128 (235 Walker St)
Gurley AL 35748
256-776-3313

City of Triana
640 6th St
Triana AL 35758
256-772-0253

Better Business Bureau
107 Lincoln St SE
Huntsville AL 35801
256-533-1640

Madison County Health Department
311 Green St
Huntsville AL 35801
256-539-3711 Ext 1

Alabama ABC Board (Field Office)
210-A Exchange Place
Huntsville Al 35806
256-726-0401

WHAT ABOUT SALES TAX?

All persons or businesses who sell tangible property at retail, or operate machines or places of entertainment or amusement must collect sales tax and make reports and payments to the Madison County Sales Tax Office.

HOW DO I RENEW?

State and Madison County business licenses are valid for a fiscal year beginning October 1, and ending September 30 of the following year. You should renew your business license between October 1st and October 31st. You may receive a renewal notice in the mail. However, renewal is your responsibility; any notification is a courtesy.

Renewals can be processed by mail. There is a $2 mail fee included.

WHAT IF I MOVE MY BUSINESS?

If your business changes location, your original license may be brought to the Madison County Courthouse to change the address to the new location.

Auto dealers must contact the office for procedures to change the location of the dealership.

WHAT IF I SELL MY BUSINESS OR BUY A BUSINESS FROM SOMEONE ELSE?

State and County Business Licenses may be transferred to new owners. Transfer required the original license and Bill of Sale be brought to the Courthouse for transfer procedures. NOTE: Business license issued to professionals (doctors, engineers, accountants, manicurist, etc) are NOT transferable.

WHERE DO I PURCHASE MY BUSINESS LICENSE?

Madison County Courthouse
100 North Side Square Rm 108
Huntsville AL 35801-4820
256-532-3323, 3314, 3316

Hours:
Monday-Friday (8:30 am - 5 pm), except holidays

Out of state companies may contact the above numbers for information to purchase a license.

INFORMATION NEEDED TO PURCHASE LICENSE:

Name of Company
Owners Name
Billing Address
Physical Address
Local Office Phone
Home Office Phone
Federal Employee Identification Number or Social Security Number
Type of Business