To apply for a business license, you may apply online here or complete the Business License Application (New Business Tax Affidavit form). The "Starting a New Business in California" brochure should be used as a general tool to help you broadly assess how to start a business in California.Once completed, note the SST number and come into our office to finish the process. Experienced San Jose Business Entity Formation Lawyer Serving San Jose, Santa Clara County, and the San Francisco Bay Area What you need to know to get started: 1. Business licenses are renewed on a calendar-year basis. 2. There are three ways to file the Business Property Statements (571-L) 1. Filing your statement via the internet 2.