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Step 3 - Name and Register Your Business

Registration is obligatory if any individual or partnership carries on business under a name other than their own true names.

Choose the correct legal framework

The type of business structure you choose will determine your legal liability, how you are taxed and what records you have to keep.

You can set up a business as a sole trader, as a partnership or as a limited company. The type of structure you choose depends on the kind of business you are running, who you will be doing business with and your attitude to risk. Get the advice of a solicitor or accountant when considering the structure for your business.

Find more information about different business structures on the CRO website

Your obligations as an employer

Every employer is legally obliged under the Terms of Employment (Information) Act, 1994 and 2001 to give certain information in writing, i.e. the important elements of an employees terms of employment within two months of the employee’s start date.

Download a PDF from the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment

Take the next step...

Step 4 - Write a business plan and get funding >>

Wanted: Irish director

When forming a company in Ireland there is a requirement to have at least one Irish-resident director. A registering company must also indicate to the CRO that the activity they are undertaking, or a proposing to undertake, will take place in this state.

Your proposed business name must be unique. Check the register of companies using the company search facility on the CRO website.

Visit the CRO website

The procedures involved in registering for taxes and meeting taxation obligations can be found on the Revenue Commissioners website.

Find out about taxation

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