Basic
Guidelines To Keeping Your
Work-At-Home Business Legal
by Cristian Montegaza
A work at home business or home business can be an
exciting, challenging, and lucrative adventure. It is, however, relatively
the same as any other business, and is subject to the same laws and
regulations that govern any business, no matter what the size. Simply
because home businesses are sometimes "one person" endeavors
(especially in the beginning) does not free them from adherence to
the same laws and regulations that apply to all businesses.
In order to avoid problems both in the beginning,
and in the future of any home business, it is important to do some
research, spend some money, and otherwise make sure that all laws
and regulations at the state, local, and national levels are followed
"to the letter".
Herewith follows some basic guidelines to keeping
your work at home business legal, and avoiding possible aggravation
and heartache in the future:
1. Call your Department of State,
or other local government agency, before starting your business. All
information from local government agencies is always usually free,
and any required licenses such as DBA (Doing Business As, or Fictitious
Name Licensing), will be fully explained, as well as Articles of Incorporation
and other smaller license requirements. Usually the fees and how to
obtain all necessary licensing will be explained as well in a phone
call such as this.
2. Call your regional or local government
office for any advice on zoning permits that may be required
or space and inventory requirements, depending on the type of business.
3. Call an accountant or accounting firm.
These firms are generally hugely knowledgeable about how to start
and maintain a legal work at home business and will freely share this
advice with others. They will in addition have a good knowledge of
local requirements and tax issues.
4. Find out before starting, what tax requirements
are necessary and the forms you must have on hand before beginning.
These forms and requirements will depend on the type of business,
number of employees (if any), etc., and are a necessary part of setting
up any home-based business.
5. Call a local business chamber of commerce if possible.
Other business owners can effectively impart information on other
legalities, and usually do so very willingly.
All of the above require some fees, but are usually
very economical means of preventing larger fines and sometimes legal
action if regulations and licensing requirements are not met. Remember,
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", and this
statement is no truer than when applied to a work at home business.
Cristian Montegaza is the editor of Work At Home Business Dot - A
website dedicated to assist you whatever you're looking for a work
at home business or need some help getting your home business started.
Visit him at http://www.work-at-home-business-dot.com
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