Business Licensing Multiple Lines Of Business FAQs HB32 was signed into law on 7/31/2014, Chapter 110 SLA 14, with an effective date of 10/29/2014. For information on Chapter 110 SLA 14 including the original bill, amendments, and intent go to HB32 Bill History. As a result of new business licensing law (effective 10/29/2014), a business may have multiple (different) lines of business (activities) on one (1) business license, instead of one (single) line of business (activity) per business license. 1. What Does This Mean? Prior to 10/29/2014 business license statutes require (restrict/limit) a business licenses to have only one (1) line of business activity per business license. Thus a business owner with multiple (different) lines of business activities may have had multiple business licenses, one for each different line of business activity regardless of what business name they were advertising and operating under. Effective 10/29/2014 business license statutes allow for multiple (different) lines of business activity on one (1) business license. Thus one business license may cover multiple lines of business activity, as long as all business advertising and operating occur under the same business name and same business owner. IMPORTANT regarding advertising and operating: Per 12 AAC 12.020(g) in advertising and operating you must (mandatory) use the exact business name that appears on the business license. Thus, if you choose to reduce your existing multiple different name business licenses down to one business license then you must advertise and operate only under the one business name you choose to maintain and keep active. IMPORTANT regarding lines of business with professional licensure requirements: IF any business activity requires a professional license (based on the NAICS Code) then these activities must be listed as the primary and/or secondary lines of business. The current professional license number associated with each NAICS Code must be provided. For additional information go to Business Licensing Statutes and Regulations. 2. What if I own multiple business licenses with the same business name, can I reduce them down to one business license? If you currently have multiple business licenses which: have the same business name and only one (different) line of business activity on each license AND the same owner(s) THEN, after 10/29/2014, you may choose to reduce all your same name business license numbers down to one business license name and number by selecting one of the options below: IMPORTANT regarding advertising and operating: Per 12 AAC 12.020(g) in advertising and operating you must (mandatory) use the exact business name that appears on the business license. Thus, if you choose to reduce your existing multiple business licenses down to one business license then you must advertise and operate only under the one business name you choose to maintain and keep active. OPTION 1: Renew one business license and allow the other business licenses with the same name to expire. If you currently have multiple business licenses which: have the same business name and only one (different) line of business activity on each license AND the same owner(s) THEN, after 10/29/2014, you may choose to reduce all your same name business license numbers down to one (1) business license name and number. 1. Choose the one business license number you want to maintain, keep it renewed and allow all the other business licenses numbers (with the same business name and business owner) to reach their expiration date without renewal. (Note: you will be sent renewal notices prior to a business license’s expiration date. For the business licenses you do not want to renew do not respond to the renewal notices.) IMPORTANT regarding advertising and operating: Per 12 AAC 12.020(g) in advertising and operating you must (mandatory) use the exact business name that appears on the business license. Thus, if you choose to reduce your existing multiple business licenses down to one business license then you must advertise and operate only under the one business name you choose to maintain and keep active. IMPORTANT regarding Endorsements: if there are any endorsements on any of the expiring business licenses the endorsements will expire at the same time. To add new endorsement(s) onto the one business license, which you will be maintaining and keeping active, you must submit a new Endorsement application (Form 08-4730) and pay the appropriate fee(s). New endorsements must apply by hardcopy. 2. The business owner must contact this office in writing (paper, fax or email at businesslicense@alaska.gov) to update the primary and/or secondary line of business on the one business license number you choose to maintain and keep active. For more information regarding how to change the NAICS code(s) please go to Changes to Business Licenses FAQs. IMPORTANT regarding lines of business with professional licensure requirements: IF any business activity requires a professional license (based on the NAICS Code) then these activities must be listed as the primary and secondary lines of business. The current professional license number associated with each NAICS Code must be provided. IMPORTANT potential business impact: You are strongly encouraged to research and consider any business impact before reducing all your business activities from multiple business license numbers down to one business license number. (For example: your professional license, if applicable, with this division; banking; insurance; and your business registration with other agencies such as local government, municipalities, Federal government, IRS, etc.) If you require assistance, you are advised to seek the services of an attorney or other qualified professionals (i.e. CPA). For additional information go to Business Licensing Statutes and Regulations. OPTION 2: Renew one business license and cancel your other business licenses with the same name prior to their expiration dates. If you currently have multiple business licenses which: have the same business name and only one (different) line of business activity on each license AND the same owner(s) THEN, after 10/29/2014, you may choose to reduce all your same name business license numbers down to one (1) business license name and number. 1. Select which one of your business license numbers, with the same business name and same business owner, you choose to maintain and keep active by renewal. IMPORTANT regarding advertising and operating: Per 12 AAC 12.020(g) in advertising and operating you must (mandatory) use the exact business name that appears on the business license. Thus, if you choose to reduce your existing multiple business licenses down to one business license then you must advertise and operate only under the one business name you choose to maintain and keep active. 2. Submit Reduce Multiple Business License (form #08-4642) to update the primary and/or secondary line of business on the one business license number you choose to maintain and keep active by renewal. IMPORTANT regarding lines of business with professional licensure requirements: IF any business activity requires a professional license (based on the NAICS Code) then these activities must be listed as the primary and secondary lines of business. The current professional license number associated with each NAICS Code must be provided. 3. On Reduce Multiple Business License (Form #08-4642) cancel your other business license numbers with the same business name which you are choosing to not maintain and keep active. (Note: Business licenses, once issued, are not refundable [per 12 AAC 02.010(e)] nor pro-rated; thus there is no refund on a cancelled business license.) IMPORTANT regarding Endorsements: if there are any endorsements on any of the canceled business licenses, the endorsements will be canceled at the same time. To add new endorsement(s) onto the one business license, which you will be maintaining and keeping active, you must submit a new Endorsement application (Form 08-4730) and pay the appropriate fee(s). New endorsements must apply by hardcopy. IMPORTANT potential business impact: You are strongly encouraged to research and consider any business impact before reducing all your business activities from multiple business license numbers down to one business license number. (For example: your professional license, if applicable, with this division; banking; insurance; and your business registration with other agencies such as local government, municipalities, Federal government, IRS, etc.) If you require assistance, you are advised to seek the services of an attorney or other qualified professionals (i.e. CPA). For additional information go to Business Licensing Statutes and Regulations. 3. What if I own multiple business licenses with different business names, can I reduce them down to one business license? If you currently have multiple business licenses which: have different business names and only one (different) line of business activity on each license AND the same owner(s) THEN, after 10/29/2014, you may choose to reduce all your different name business license numbers down to one (1) business license name and number by selecting one of the options below: IMPORTANT regarding advertising and operating: Per 12 AAC 12.020(g) in advertising and operating you must (mandatory) use the exact business name that appears on the business license. Thus, if you choose to reduce your existing multiple business licenses down to one business license then you must advertise and operate only under the one business name you choose to maintain and keep active. OPTION 1: Renew one business license and allow the other business licenses with different names to expire. If you currently have multiple business licenses which: have different business names and only one (different) line of business activity on each license AND the same owner(s) THEN, after 10/29/2014, you may choose to reduce all your different name business license numbers down to one business license name and number. 1. Choose the one business license number you want to maintain, keep it renewed and allow all the other business licenses numbers with different business names, to reach their expiration date without renewal. (Note: you will be sent renewal notices prior to a business license’s expiration date. For the business licenses you do not want to renew do not respond to the renewal notices.) IMPORTANT regarding advertising and operating: Per 12 AAC 12.020(g) in advertising and operating you must (mandatory) use the exact business name that appears on the business license. Thus, if you choose to reduce your existing multiple business licenses down to one business license then you must advertise and operate only under the one business name you choose to maintain and keep active. IMPORTANT regarding Endorsements: if there are any endorsements on any of the expiring business licenses, the endorsements will expire at the same time. To add new endorsement(s) onto the one business license, which you will be maintaining and keeping active, you must submit a new Endorsement application (form 08-4730) and pay the appropriate fee(s). New endorsements must apply by hardcopy. 2. The business owner must contact this office in writing (paper, fax or email at businesslicense@alaska.gov) to update the primary and/or secondary line of business on the one business license number you choose to maintain and keep active. For more information regarding how to change the NAICS code(s) please go to Changes to Business Licenses FAQs. IMPORTANT regarding lines of business with professional licensure requirements: IF any business activity requires a professional license (based on the NAICS Code) then these activities must be listed as the primary and/or secondary lines of business. The current professional license number associated with each NAICS Code must be provided. IMPORTANT potential business impact: You are strongly encouraged to research and consider any business impact before reducing all your business activities from multiple business license numbers down to one business license number. (For example: your professional license, if applicable, with this division; banking; insurance; and your business registration with other agencies such as local government, municipalities, Federal government, IRS, etc.) If you require assistance, you are advised to seek the services of an attorney or other qualified professionals (i.e. CPA). For additional information go to Business Licensing Statutes and Regulations. OPTION 2: Renew one business license and cancel your other business licenses with different names prior to their expiration dates. If you currently have multiple business licenses which: have different business names and only one (different) line of business activity on each license AND the same owner(s) THEN, after 10/29/2014, you may choose to reduce all your different name business license numbers down to one (1) business license name and number. 1. Select which one of your business license numbers, with different business names and same business owner, you choose to maintain and keep active by renewal. IMPORTANT regarding advertising and operating: Per 12 AAC 12.020(g) in advertising and operating you must (mandatory) use the exact business name that appears on the business license. Thus, if you choose to reduce your existing multiple business licenses down to one business license then you must advertise and operate only under the one business name you choose to maintain and keep active. 2. Select the one business license name and number you choose to continue advertising and operating under and provide this information to this office on Reduce Multiple Business License (form #08-4642). IMPORTANT regarding lines of business with professional licensure requirements: IF any business activity requires a professional license (based on the NAICS Code) then these activities must be listed as the primary and/or secondary lines of business. The current professional license number associated with each NAICS Code must be provided. 3. On Reduce Multiple Business License (form #08-4642) cancel your other business license numbers with the different business names which you are choosing to not maintain and keep active. (Note: Business licenses, once issued, are not refundable [per 12 AAC 02.010(e)] nor pro-rated; thus there is no refund on a cancelled business license.) Note: If the business license is owned by an entity then provide the name, title and signature of the entity’s authorized official on record with the Corporation Section. IMPORTANT regarding Endorsements: if there are any endorsements on any of the canceled business licenses, the endorsements will be canceled at the same time. To add endorsement(s) onto the one business license which you will be maintaining and keeping active, you must submit a new Endorsement application (Form 08-4730) and pay the appropriate fee(s). New endorsements must apply by hardcopy. 4. On Reduce Multiple Business License (form #08-4642) update the primary and/or secondary line of business on the one business license name and number you choose to maintain. Note: If business license is owned by an entity then provide the name, title and signature of the entity’s authorized official on record with this division. IMPORTANT regarding lines of business with professional licensure requirements: IF any business activity requires a professional license (based on the NAICS Code) then these activities must be listed as the primary and/or secondary lines of business. The current professional license number associated with each NAICS Code must be provided. IMPORTANT potential business impact: You are strongly encouraged to research and consider any business before reducing all your business activities from multiple business license numbers down to one business license number. (For example: your professional license, if applicable, with this division; banking;insurance; and your business registration with other agencies such as local government, municipalities, Federal government, IRS, etc.) If you require assistance, you are advised to seek the services of an attorney or other qualified professionals (i.e. CPA). For additional information go to Business Licensing Statutes and Regulations. This Division does not provide legal advice. The information contained within these webpages is provided for your convenience and is not to be interpreted as legal advice. It is your responsibility to know what your registering, reporting and filing requirements are based on your specific business activities. Not knowing what is expected of you may not preclude you from the legal obligation to meet these requirements and compliance with the law. You are encouraged to seek the advice of a professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Attorney if you need additional assistance. Contact Us When contacting this office, please direct your questions to the appropriate Section: Corporations, Professional Licensing, or Business Licensing. Each Section specializes in its own requirements per Alaska statutes and regulations. Professional Licensing Section Email: License@Alaska.Gov Corporations Section Email: Corporations@Alaska.Gov Business Licensing Section Email: BusinessLicense@Alaska.Gov