Business License

General Information

            One of the first steps in starting a new business is obtaining a business license. A business/privilege license is a requirement of every person, firm, company or corporation engaged in any business, vocation, occupation or profession described in §40-12-1, Code of Alabama.  The annual license covers the period of October 1 through September 30.  The license will be delinquent on November 1.  The State and County licenses(s) are issued by the county Probate Judge in the County where the business is located.  Unless otherwise provided, a license is required in every county where the business is conducted.  You should check with every city office where you are conducting business to verify what licenses are required to transact business.

Please visit the Business License website at:

Short Reference:  www.ador.state.al.us/licenses/reference.html

Review the handbook:  www.ador.state.al.us/licenses/handbook.html

The information is being furnished to you in order to help identify the proper code sections pertinent to the issuance of the county/state privilege licenses.  This guide contains types of business and the privilege licenses that the business may possibly need.

Automobile Dealer

A regulatory license is required prior to the issuance of an automobile dealers privilege license.  An application form must be completed and accompanied by a $25,000 surety bond for new car dealers and a $10,000 surety bond for used car dealers, wholesalers, rebuilders and or reconditioners.  Proof of issuance of your regulatory license to the county will enable you to purchase an automobile dealers license.  The cost of the privilege license is based upon the city population.  Regulatory license information and applications can be obtained by calling 334-353-7827 or writing the Alabama Department of Revenue, Sale, Use and & Business Tax Division, License Section, P. O. Box 327550, Montgomery, Alabama   36132-7550.  Physical location:  3103 Gordon Persons Building, 50 Ripley Street, Montgomery, Al 

You may need to contact one or more of the following agencies when starting a business in Coffee County, depending on where your business is located

County Agencies

To determine whether a state or county business license is required:

Coffee County Probate Office                           Coffee County Probate Office

99 S Edwards Street                                        230 P N Court Street

P. O. Box 311247                                            Elba, Al  36323

Enterprise, Al  36331                                       (334) 897-2211

(334) 347-2688

To meet all requirements of assessing your real and business personal property:

Coffee County Revenue Commissioner 

99 S Edwards Street                                        230 N Court Street

Enterprise, Al  36330                                       Elba, Al  36323

(334) 347-8734                                               (334) 897-2475

To determine if a business license is required:                

City of Enterprise 347-1211

City of New Brockton 894-5550

City of Kinston

City of Elba 897-2333

Enterprise Chamber of Commerce 347-0581

Elba Chamber of Commerce 897-3125

Coffee County Health Department for certain businesses dealing with food and beverages

Highway 167

Enterprise, Al  36330 (334) 347-9574

Internal Revenue Service to determine tax information, withholding, FEIN, etc.

1-800-829-1040 for tax information, or 1-800-829-3676 for forms and publications

Dothan Taxpayer Service Center  to determine what (if any) state taxes apply

344 North Oates Street

Dothan, Al  36303 334-793-5803

Alabama Department of Revenue, Withholding Tax Section (334) 242-1300  to determine if requirements for Alabama Individual Estimated Income Tax are met

Alabama Department of Revenue, Sales and use Tax Division (334) - 242-1490 to apply for a sales tax number

Contractors Licensing Board 334-242-2839

Contact the Small Business Development Center closest to you in order to determine what, if any, other requirement there may be.  These centers around Alabama are good sources for determining local requirements, any requirements exclusive to the type of business you are in, marketing information for your business, how to obtain small business loans, etc.

Small Business Development Center

Troy State University

Bibb Graves, Room 102

Troy, Al  36082

334-670-3771