Although you may have a minority-owned business, you must meet specific criteria for formal recognition as a minority business enterprise (MBE). And if you meet the criteria, there are business benefits to receiving an MBE certificate.

So, what is an MBE, and what is the MBE certificate?

少数民族企业和MBE证书

MBE signifies that an individual who is a minority is the primary owner of the business. To apply for and receive a minority-owned business certificate, the businessmustbe legally defined as minority-owned. So what does that mean exactly?

Legal definition of minority-owned enterprise

To qualify and register as a minority-owned business, the company must meet the following requirements:

• 万家至少51%and operated by a U.S. citizen from one of the recognized U.S. minority groups
• 有少数民族所有权成员开展的日常运营和管理
• 是一个物理位于美国或信托领域的营利机业务

哪些群体被认为是美国的少数群体？有七个联邦认可的少数民族分组：

• Hispanic/Latino Americans
• Black/African Americans
• 亚裔美国人
• Arab/Middle Eastern Americans
• Native Americans
• Alaska Natives
• Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

MBE证书

So, what is the MBE certificate? The minority business enterprise certificate recognizes that a business is truly minority-owned. Basically, your business certificate confirms the legitimacy of claims regarding minority ownership.

Businesses can seek a minority business certificate through one of the following channels:

• 用于联邦认可的小型工商管理局（SBA）
• State or local governments
• Private sector certification

There is some overlap between each type of certification, but each agency has its own process and criteria. Therefore, you may need to get a new certification from a different agency if you want to receive the benefits of that agency. Contact the agency for additional information.

少数民族所有商业证书的好处

同样，每个扇区的MBE认证之间存在一些相似之处。但是，优势通过认证差异。所以，MBE有权让你有什么意思？

SBA MBE认证

小型企业管理是一家联邦机构，提供公共部门援助small businesses。MBE certification through the SBA allows businesses access to the8(a) Business Development Program帮助“社会和经济弱势”的企业。

小型工商管理局将“社会弱势群”定义为SBA合格少数群体所拥有的个人拥有的企业。“经济上处于不利地位”的业务是符合财务资格的人。

8（a）计划限制了对参与企业的某些合同的竞争，使他们能够更好地竞争联邦市场。

企业必须与联邦注册System for Award Management(SAM) website to certify the business as minority-owned. After SAM approves the business, upload the certification to theSBA certification website。

通过SBA注册和认证允许您有资格获得8（a）业务发展计划。

To qualify for the 8(a) Business Development Program, you must:

• 是一个SBA小企业
• 以前没有参加过8（a）计划
• 由美国公民拥有和控制的至少51％，他们在社会和经济上处于不利地位
• 拥有750K或更低的个人净值，调整3.5万美元或更低的总收入，资产持续600万美元或更低
• 展示良好的性质和潜力在合同上执行

寻求参加8（a）计划的企业可能先前参加过其他SBA计划。8（a）计划最多持续9年，包括年度审查。

联系SBA了解更多信息并查看preliminary assessmentto see if you qualify.

State and local MBE certification

An advantage of state and local MBE certificates is that the agencies provide technical and financial assistance to MBEs so the businesses can more successfully compete for contracts. And, the state agencies can better advocate for minority-owned businesses. But, one of the biggest advantages to state and local MBE certification is that receiving a certificate allows MBEs access to targeted government contracting.

每个州都有自己的机构为少数民族企业提供机会。商务部创建了少数族裔业务发展机构（MBDA），其中有一个国家资源清单。

Private sector MBE certification

TheNational Minority Supplier Development Council（NMSDC）是一个认证少数民族企业的组织。NMSDC列出了区域和国家少数民族供应商数据库中的MBE业务。而且，该清单包括商业部门和私营部门的公司，MBES可以从中获得合同并与之联系。

Other benefits of minority business certification through the NMSDC include:

• 管理培训计划
• 特别贷款计划
• Business opportunity fairs

认证要求包括：

• Being at least 51% owned by at least one individual who is part of a federally recognized minority group*
• Having U.S. citizenship
• Being a for-profit business that is physically located in the U.S. or its trust territories
• Having management and daily operations overseen and exercised by the minority ownership member(s)

*The NMSDC requires documentation stating that the individual(s) representing the 51% minority ownership have at least 25% heritage in the identified minority group.

If your business qualifies as a minority-owned business based on the criteria, gather the necessary documentation to complete and submit the application. Use theNMSDC website要验证您的业务需求的文档。文档可能根据业务结构而异。

NMSDC还为认证收取费用。费用根据您的业务位置和大小而异。

您必须在网站上注册regional councilwhere you are applying before you can apply. After you submit the application and the applicable fee, the NMSDC reviews the documentation. The process can take up to 90 days to complete. Regional affiliates notify businesses if they are approved. If your business is denied, you may submit an appeal.

税收激励和MBE认证

联邦政府没有特别为少数民族商业企业提供税收损失。但是，有联邦税收激励措施，用于与其他MBE合作并在低收入区域运营。

例如，在低收入区域运营的业务可能会收到New-Markets Tax Creditagainst联邦所得税。但是，业务必须投资于指定的社区发展实体。

States may also provide tax incentives to minority-owned businesses. Check with your state for more information.

This is not intended as legal advice; for more information, please点击这里。