WAHM Forums

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I need your advice on starting a business online from home. I do graphic arts and web design and I want to legally have a business name for myself. I have been to sba.gov and several other sites, but they want to send you to training and such. This is not brain surgery.. lol, I just want a legal name to do business under for advertisements... etc.


Does anyone have a shortcut on where to start with getting a legal name and what you had to do to get started?


Thanks,
Adina

Search by your state. You will have to register with your city to legally set your business name. I'd start with a phone call to the local city treasurer office, ask them how to register a small business name, and see where they take you.

Thanks, I just called my County Clerk's office and they had all the information right online. I took forever to find out what to do... Thanks for the info.


I'm quiet mostly but this is a great support team!

No problem! That's what we're all here for!

Does anyone have a tax id number?
Also i'm trying to find outwhat you need to do to get a tax id number?
I have my name but I want to be sure I'm ok with the goverment if I need to be.

I didn't need a tax id because a service based industry such as design isn't required to charge taxes. We only file our information once a year.

:( I have to charge tax here

So does it depend on your state? And when you file your taxes, do you put your business name on them and account for all of your money earened?

I have a web design service and Internet entrepreneural websites. I am considered as a "sole proprietor" and don't have a tax ID because I have no employees but myself. I just use my SS# to report taxes. The only benefit of an EIN is to pay your employess.


However you can go down to the state offices and get DBA forms (doing business as) and you just have to apply for a DBA. My home business is called "Coast To Coast Cash" (cuz I've worked on both coasts....heehee) and it is a sole-proprietorship.

I would check with your state, each is different. I'm a sole proprietor too but had to have a tax number.



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The irs website www.irs.gov (http://www.irs.gov) has a form where you can get a tax id # over the web. It's very simple.

The irs website www.irs.gov (http://www.irs.gov) has a form where you can get a tax id # over the web. It's very simple.


agree smileys/smiley2.gif

Yes, whether you need a tax id for web design will vary by state. But if you do - it is a simple (and inexpensive) process. :)


Teresa