Doing Business on Mississippi Choctaw Tribal Lands
A Quick Guide for Prospective Small Business Owners
Yes — you can start a business on Choctaw tribal lands.
The path is well-defined, and you don't have to walk it alone. This one-pager shows you the essentials. When you're ready to take a step, the MBCI Office of Economic Development — Small Business Program is your starting point and will walk alongside you the whole way.
The Path, in Three Steps
1
Get your Business Permit
Apply to the Choctaw Tax Commission for a Permit to Engage in Business. One-time $25 fee, location-specific. This permit gives you the right to operate and registers you for Tribal sales tax in a single step. (Tribal Code §14-1-4)
2
Secure your location
Under the Tribe's HEARTH Act Leasing Regulations, both Tribal Members and non-Members may lease Tribal land for business purposes. The Realty Program handles applications; Tribal Council approves leases. You can also lease space inside an existing tribal facility through the Choctaw Shopping Center Enterprise.
3
Add any specific permits you need
Most businesses need only the Business Permit. If you're building out a space or doing construction, expect to engage the Office of Construction Management for building and sign permits — construction above $50,000 requires a Mississippi State Board of Contractors license. If your business involves food service (restaurant, food truck, café), coordinate with the Choctaw Health Center for any required health permits and sanitation standards.
Sales tax: you collect, the Tribe doesn't take a cut of your revenue
You charge sales tax on top of your price and remit what you collected to the Tax Commission. Example: a $1.00 item at the 7% retail rate — you add 7¢, charge the purchaser $1.07, and remit the 7¢. Rates: 7% retail · 5% food/drink · 7% services · 3.5% major equipment · 7% rentals & amusement. Filed monthly, due by the 20th of the following month.
You don't have to do this alone.
The MBCI Office of Economic Development — Small Business Program exists to help prospective and existing small business owners navigate this entire process. We translate the regulations into plain language, connect you with the right offices, help you think through your business model and financing, and stay with you from idea to grand opening.
If you're thinking about starting a business on Choctaw lands, call us first. One conversation can save you weeks of work.