The High-touch Legal Services® Blog…for Startups!

© 2009-2021 Dana H. Shultz

What is a Branch Office?

Picture of tree branches in front of an office building, symbolizing a branch office

Generally, when a foreign client starts a new business in the U.S., we form a new corporation for both business and legal reasons. Recently, however, I had an interesting experience helping a foreign client set up a branch office without forming a new legal entity.

The client acknowledged the benefits of a new corporation. However, procedural issues for the client (located in Southeast Asia), would result in the necessary approvals taking too long. As a result, the client asked that I first provide help setting up a branch office in Silicon Valley. That branch office later would be used by a new California corporation that we would form.

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Where Do I Get a Business License?

Reduced image of San Jose business license applicationYou’ve started a new business. Don’t forget to apply for (and next year, renew) your business license!

Most cities (in some instances, counties) require that businesses located within their borders obtain what is commonly called a business license. In reality, this is an application to pay business taxes.

Here are links to the business license applications for several of California’s largest cities:

Dana H. Shultz, Attorney at Law? +1 510 547-0545? dana [at] danashultz [dot] com
This blog does not provide legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, please contact a lawyer directly.