Starting & Growing Your Business

In this section, you will find a number of useful resources for starting and growing your business including information and contacts for potential financing options, environmental and historical assistance and more. Please contact the organizations below for additional information.

Local Requirements

There are no county or town business privilege license requirements for starting a business in Mitchell County. If your business will be operated under any name other than yours or your business partner(s), file an Assumed Name Certificate with the Register of Deeds.

If your new business will include the sale of alcohol, you will be required to secure a privilege license from the North Carolina ABC Commission. For more information visit Permits Section | NC ABC

If you rent out a room, home, cottage or cabin as a vacation rental, the income from such rentals is subject to both sales and occupancy tax. Mitchell County levies an occupancy tax on the rental of rooms and lodging. This includes hotels, motels, inns, lodges, vacation homes, and bed & breakfasts. The tax does not apply to stays of 90 or more consecutive days or nonprofit charitable, educational, benevolent or religious organizations when furnished to further their nonprofit purpose. To be exempt, property must meet all exemption requirements and be deemed exempt by the tax office.

The occupancy tax rate is six percent (6%) of the gross receipts. Gross receipts includes all fees that are logically related to, and thus are derived from the business of providing the accommodations, including but not limited to inspection fees, booking and security deposits, peace of mind fees, credit card fees pet fees, linen fees, and all other fees.

Individuals and operators of businesses that are required to collect the occupancy tax must file monthly reports and remit the tax to the Mitchell County Tax Collections Department by the 15th of the each month. Penalties apply for late or under reporting and for late or under payment. Any questions concerning the Occupancy Tax should be directed to the Mitchell County Finance Office (828) 688-2139.

For additional information concerning Occupancy Tax please read the notice published by the N.C. Department of Revenue.

State Requirements

A State Privilege License and License Tax are applicable to most businesses in North Carolina. Licenses are issued annually and should be applied for before the commencement of any business activity. Contact the NC Dept. of Revenue’s License and Excise Tax Division for information on Privilege Licenses.

If your business will be incorporated in North Carolina, file Articles of Incorporation with the Department of the Secretary of State.

All retail sales in North Carolina are subject to sales tax unless specifically exempt by statute. Wholesale transactions with a registered merchant for the purpose of resale are not subject to this tax. For information regarding this or to obtain a Wholesale Merchant’s certificate of Sale, please contact the NC Dept. of Revenue, Sales and Use Division.

Certain taxes must be withheld from employee wages and submitted to the federal, state and local governments. If you will be paying wages to one or more employees, complete an Application for Withholding Identification Number for your business with the North Carolina Department of Revenue.

Other State Requirements and Tax Information

Incorporated businesses are required to file annual franchise and income tax returns with the state.

Any company employing one or more employees is required to provide unemployment insurance coverage for its workers. The NC Employment Security Commission administers employer contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Fund. For more information, contact their Durham office.

If your company will be employing three or more employees; you will be required to provide workers compensation coverage. For more information regarding Workers Comp., contact the NC Industrial Commission.

To ensure the health and safety of workers employed in North Carolina, the Department of Labor administers the Occupational Safety and Health Act of NC. The department offers free services to ensure that your business is in compliance with OSHA standards.

A list of requirements for business owners who plan to hire employees in North Carolina. (http://www.blnc.gov/start-your-business/employer-requirements)

Federal Requirements

If you have employees, the “Small Business Kit” is essential for navigating federal regulations. Call the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-3676 and they will mail it to you with all the information you need, including Forms 940, 941, SS-4, W-2’s, W-4’s, the “Tax Guide for Small Business,” Circular E, and other federal necessities for starting a business. As mentioned in the State Requirements section, if you have employees, complete the SS-4 Form (Application for Employer Identification Number) in order to obtain a federal withholding I.D. tax number. Please contact the Internal Revenue Service’s Asheville office in regard to all technical questions regarding federal taxation issues.

Asheville Office
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828)271-4764
M-F 9 am-4:30 pm

Financial Resources

Financial Incentives

North Carolina’s targeted, performance-based incentive programs greatly lessen the tax burden and lower the overall costs, helping companies who are locating and doing business in our state to Thrive. Companies that meet certain requirements can take advantage of tax credits and other incentives, including sales and use tax discounts, exemptions and refunds, discretionary programs and other cost-saving programs.
Helpful Resources | Financial Incentives

The Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina publish a variety of reports on the state’s economic development incentives, primarily for in-state stakeholders and legislators.  You may review these reports here.

Workforce Training

NCWorks Career Center – Spruce Pine
200 Mayland Drive
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Phone:(828) 766-1195
Fax: (828) 766-1286

Hours: Monday & Wednesday 8:00am – 5:00pm (closed 12 noon – 1:00pm)

Customized Industry Training  NCEdge Customized Training – Mayland Community College

Customized Training is a special program offered through Mayland Community College for our communities’ existing manufacturers. Customized training uses individualized needs assessments and consultation to design and implement targeted, customized training for incumbent workers whose jobs are changing because of technological or process advances.

High Country Workforce Development Board EMPLOYERS | High Country

Mayland Small Business Center – Spruce Pine https://www.mayland.edu/mayland-small-business-center/
200 Mayland Drive
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Phone:(828) 766-1295
Director: Morgan Suddreth
mwood@mayland.edu

NC Business Forms

Commonly used N.C. Secretary of State forms to start businesses

Certificate of Assumed Name

Registration of Corporations, LLC’s and Limited Partnerships

Articles of Incorporation

Articles of Incorporation for Non Profits