Q: I offer mobile pet sitting services from my home in Houston, Texas, with one employee. Do I need a federal tax ID number?
A: Yes, because you have an employee. Here is what a pet sitting business in Houston needs: 1. Federal tax ID number (EIN) for payroll 2. Texas unemployment tax account 3. Assumed name certificate for your business name 4. Pet sitting liability insurance and bonding 5. Texas sales and use tax permit if you sell pet products