What is a CBI in Kentucky?
Commonwealth Business Identifier (CBI): A unique, ten-digit, number assigned to all Kentucky businesses. The CBI allows the business to be easily identified by all state agencies that utilize the Kentucky OneStop Portal.
Business Registration Process
Complete the online registration via the Kentucky Business OneStop portal. You’ll need a federal tax ID number before applying for a Kentucky CBI number. The fastest way to get a federal tax ID is to apply online, allowing you to receive your number in under an hour. With your federal tax ID in hand, you can apply for your Kentucky CBI number through several methods. The best option is to apply online for fastest processing. After applying, expect to receive your CBI number within 4-6 weeks.
Additional Information for Regulated Professions and Licensing
Additional information, fees, and licensing requirements for professions are available from the Kentucky Office of Occupations & Professions. A variety of regulated professions in Kentucky require an occupational license, including detectives, cosmetologists, barbers, architects, and massage therapists.
Business Structure and Compliance
Businesses purchasing merchandise to resell may want a Kentucky Resale Certificate. This allows businesses to avoid paying sales tax on merchandise being resold to customers.
Incorporated businesses in Kentucky can structure as an LLC, C-corp or S-corp. First decide on structure, then check name availability before incorporating. The first step is choosing a business name and searching Kentucky’s database to confirm availability.