My original plan was to try and get licensing deals for my invention (and not start up a manufacturing business)
but since the decision makers of the companies I'm reaching out to aren't responding I've decided to set up a small shop at home where I can crank out widgets (which means an online store, a registered company with ein, etc)
The question becomes what happens when I move to a different state, do I simply re-register in the new state with the same ein?

 

There is a federal EIN and state EINs. As long as you don't change the legal structure (For example, change from a partnership to a corporation.) your federal EIN will still be used. You'll need to register in the new state and apply for a new state EIN.

Note that a proprietorship can obtain a federal EIN but isn't generally required to have one unless there are employees.

 

If I'm a sole proprietor then:
1. I don't have the same protections as an LLC if I get sued
2. I have to do business under my boring name instead of a catchy company name (e.g. promotional t-shirts, mugs, etc)
IF I understand the difference correctly

 

As an individual, you have 3 options: sole proprietorship, LLC. and corporation. All have advantages and disadvantages. But you're generally correct in what you say. Keep in mind, though, that an LLC's legal separation from its shareholder(s) is a double-edged sword; you may escape legal liability but you can't just put money in or take it out informally.

My earlier comment wasn't related to selecting one structure versus another. I was purely discussing the different rules for EINs.

 

Not really - the protection against liability of an LLC is largely in the past. Additionally, you can do business with any name you want as a sole proprietor, most states will just require some sort of DBA document be filed with them.

 

I'm thinking I could just pay a company, if it's not too expensive, to act as the registered agent in the state.
this way wherever I move, the business is in that state.

For some reason Delaware's a popular state to register businesses in

 

Michael, there are reasons to incorporate in one state versus another and, yes, Delaware is a very popular choice. But the vast majority of entrepreneurs incorporate where their business is located. I don't know the statistics but wouldn't be surprised if it was 99% of companies.

However, if concern about moving to another state is your motivation you accomplish nothing by incorporating in a different state now. If you're in (for example) New Hampshire and move to Nevada, you can just stay incorporated in New Hampshire after the move.

Beyond that, there are registration, business license, payroll and other requirements for doing business in any state. In my example, those requirements would apply in New Hampshire while you were there and Nevada after you relocate. Thus, incorporating in another state would not create a meaningful benefit and would add costs.

 

"For some reason Delaware's a popular state to register businesses in"

Delaware has made the process of incorporating very easy compared to most other states.

 

I assume that means I have to pay yearly Delaware state taxes on any income from the business?
So if I'm working a job while getting the business going, I have to pay yearly state taxes in that state and an additional tax return to pay the yearly state taxes for the business in Delaware?