Open this task from Onboarding by clicking "Add business details and accept the terms".
Each "Save and continue" saves that screen, so you can stop and come back later.
Agreements
On "Add yourself as a signatory", check your "First name" and "Last name" (use your legal name) and enter your "Title". The signatory, usually a company admin or the company's CPA, signs for the company and must be legally authorized to do so.
Check "I confirm I have permission to onboard on behalf of the company." and click "Save and continue".
On "Review and sign the agreements", agree to Freedom's Terms of Service and sign a debit authorization that lets Freedom debit your company's bank account for payroll. Later, you connect the bank account in "Connect a bank account" and sign the forms that let Freedom file your taxes in "Authorize tax filings".
Your business
On "Business name", enter your "Legal name". Add a "Trade name (DBA)" if you have one, or check "Same as business legal name".
On "Business type", choose your "Industry" and "Business structure". The IRS uses your business structure to decide which tax forms Freedom files for you.
On "Business address", enter the "Legal address". Freedom uses it on tax filings, so it should match your articles of incorporation and tax documents. A PO box or registered agent address is fine if it's on your tax filings.
Payroll history
On "Has your business paid people before?", choose "Yes" or "No".
If you chose "Yes", answer "Will this be your first payroll of [year]?".
If you answered "No" in step 2, answer "How are you handling payroll today?". If you use software, pick it under "Which software do you use?", or choose "Other" and type the "Provider name".
Answer "How many people have you paid this year (estimated)?" or, if you haven't paid anyone this year, "How many people do you expect to pay this year?". Pick a range for W-2 employees and 1099 contractors. An estimate is fine.
Pay schedule
On "How often do you pay your team?", choose your "Pay frequency".
On "Choose your start date with Freedom", keep the date marked "Recommended" or pick another at least 5 days from today. It unlocks after the earlier steps.
Click "Start with Freedom [date]" to finish.
To change your start date later, reopen the business details page and pick "Start date" in the step list at the top. See Understand your start date and your first payday.
After you finish
Click "Next", which names your next onboarding task. This task unlocks "Choose who will transfer your data", where you choose who adds your team and pay history. See How Freedom recommends your start date and who adds your data.
If you see an error
"Please confirm you have permission to onboard on behalf of the company.": check "I confirm I have permission to onboard on behalf of the company."
"The address could not be verified.": check the street, city, state, and ZIP code.
"We couldn't save your changes. Please try again.": click "Save and continue" again.