Any business engaged in catering will follow many of the same licensing requirements as a standard restaurant. For regulations regarding food sales please contact the Missouri Department of Health at (573) 751-6090 or visit www.dhss.mo.gov/FoodCode

Like any small business, food enterprises require careful planning, dedication, and skilled management to be successful. The food business is unique when compared to most other types of businesses. The food you produce can have a direct effect on your customers' health and safety. In fact, a food product that has been improperly processed could cause serious illness or even death. Consequently, a business that makes or sells food products must comply with a number of complex and often confusing federal, state, and local regulations.

Do not make any plans or begin any operations until you are sure that you have complied with all federal, state, and local regulations and zoning rules related to food production, processing and sales. This includes the construction of your facility as well as preparation. It is advisable to meet with the local health department before you begin planning your business to make sure that you understand all of the regulations that you will be required to meet. To find a county health department offices in your area, refer to www.dhss.mo.gov/LPHA/LPHAs.html

Missouri regulations prohibit the operation of a food-processing establishment in a kitchen that is also used for family cooking. A separate kitchen that is closed off from the rest of the home is required. The equipment is also regulated—generally you can't take your home kitchen equipment into the business kitchen to use some of the time and take it back into the household kitchen whenever you like.

The sale of liquor, wine or beer requires a license from the Missouri Division of Liquor Control at www.atc.dps.mo.gov/index.htm or call (573) 751-2333.

Any business serving water to the public should first contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Public Drinking Water program at (573) 751-5331 or go to www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/dw-index.htm

Pollution prevention measures, resources and a detailed list of strategies and benefits for implementing a pollution prevention and recycling plan for catering businesses can be found at the Missouri Environmental Assistance Center's section on the hospitality industry at www.missouribusiness.net/eac/p2/sectors/hospitality.asp

Legal Structure

Anyone conducting business in the State of Missouri under a name other than their own legal name (e.g., John Doe), must register the business name with the Missouri Secretary of State. Missouri law allows businesses to operate under four forms or organization:

• Sole proprietorship
• Partnership - general and limited
• Corporation - C-Corp; S-Corp; Professional, Not-for-Profit; Foreign Corporation
• Limited Liability Company - LLC

Each structure has its own advantages and disadvantages and there are many modifications and variations within these forms. The key to selection revolves around the concept of liability and taxation. You must decide which of these structures best suits your business. In choosing your business structure, consult with a qualified accountant and/or attorney who are familiar with your resources and objectives.

A description of the forms of organization and some of the advantages and disadvantages are discussed in Legal Structures, Licenses and Taxes and Starting a New Business in Missouri [256k].

The Licenses and Registration Checklist is a guide to help you with the licensing and registration requirements for starting your new business.

You can download forms on the web at: www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/forms.asp or request from the Secretary of State's Office at (573) 751-3200.

Taxes

Understanding the taxes that apply to your business and how to meet the legal requirements of those taxes is critical. Consultation with an accountant or attorney is advisable.

Tax considerations are essential during the formation of a new business and during its entire life. When a business is just starting out, it may have little or no income or assets and the choice of structure may not seriously affect its tax liability. However, as the business grows, the tax implications become more significant.

Choosing a particular structure does not necessarily determine how the business will be taxed. The table found in Starting a New Business in Missouri [246k] identifies the state and federal forms that must be filed for different business structures and compares the tax liabilities for the most common business structures.

Tax responsibility includes federal, state and local taxes. As a business owner you will be responsible for income taxes, payroll taxes, property tax and other miscellaneous taxes.

Any business making wholesale or retail sales must obtain a Missouri Retail Sales License from the Missouri Department of Revenue. A bond, based on projected monthly gross sales is posted at the time of application. An application form (Form #2643) can be obtained from the Dept. of Revenue on the web at www.dor.mo.gov/tax/business/forms/ or by calling 1-800-877-6881. Generally, a wholesaler or manufacturer will present a Sale/Use Tax Exemption Certificate (Form #149) to the seller showing the sale is exempt from sales tax.

For more information on taxes and access to printable copies of the required forms visit: Doing Business in Missouri: Taxes [531k] and the IRS/SBA Small Business Resource Guide.

Hiring Employees

Obtain a copy of "Employer's Tax Guide" [340k] from your local IRS office or call 1-800-829-3676. "Circular E" explains federal tax withholding and Social Security tax requirements for employers as well as containing up-to-date withholding tables for you to use to determine how much federal income tax and Social Security tax is to be withheld from each employee's paycheck.

What Is Involved?

• Once you begin paying salary or wages to employees, you must collect taxes from your employees. The primary taxes are: federal and state income taxes, Social Security (FICA) and Medicare taxes.
• If you have not already done so, you must apply for a federal employer identification number (EIN) -- Form SS-4. This number is used to identify your business on payroll and income tax returns, as well as for other federal tax purposes. Corporations and partnerships must file Form SS-4 even if they have no employees. The IRS now offers an online EIN application.
• Each employee completes an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form and a W-4 form [53k].
• Missouri require that all employers in Missouri report each newly hired employee to the Department of Revenue within 20 calendar days of hire.

For more information on your responsibilities as an employer, please contact your local Missouri Career Center (formerly Job Service). To locate the nearest office, check the phone book or call 1-888-728-JOBS or visit www.greathires.org/cgi-bin/career_centers.cgi.

For a complete discussion on hiring employees, your responsibilities, and access to the required forms, refer to: Doing Business in Missouri: Hiring Employees [432k].

Business Resources

You may also find the following information helpful as you begin your business:

• Starting a New Business in Missouri [246k] is an excellent publication on the process of starting and operating a business in Missouri.
  
  
• Evaluating Your Business Idea [587k] is a simple questionnaire-formatted document that helps you think through the elemental considerations in starting a business.
  
  
• Guide to Writing a Business Plan [382k] provides a short, but thorough introduction to the process of writing a business plan and provides a simple outline of the contents of a standard plan.
  
  
• MissouriBusiness.Net is a network of key business resource providers in Missouri. The Web site contains a vast array of helpful documents, links and information on starting and operating your small business as well as a calendar of upcoming training and educational events throughout Missouri. To find a business counselor near you, refer to www.missouribusiness.net/sbdc/centers.asp
  
  
• The Missouri Environmental Assistance Center helps businesses. improve business efficiency and save money through reducing or eliminating waste understand and navigate the complicated area of environmental permits and regulations. The Web site offers information on environmental compliance, pollution prevention and energy efficiency.
  
  
• Contact your local (county, city, township) government offices early in the planning stages of your business. The requirement for local licenses and permits vary by county and city. Most cities, and some counties, require businesses to be licensed. Check with the city business/merchant license office and/or the county collector's office for the requirements in your area. Be sure to check with the local city and/or county planning/zoning department to make sure that the site you have selected for your business is zoned to accommodate the activities of your business. These offices can be found in your local phone directory.
  
  
• Missouri Lawyer Referral Service
  - Kansas City: (816) 221-9473 (Clay, Jackson, Platte & Ray counties)
  - St. Louis City & County: (314) 621-6681
  - Springfield/Greene County: (417) 831-2783
  - Rest of Missouri: (573) 636-3635
  Web: www.mobar.org/fa9a5c63-a2c3-4c6e-a86a-de191b13e501.aspx
  
  
• Missouri Society of Accountants 1-800-959-4276
  Web: www.missouri-accountants.com