Do you need some sort of business license if you want a home based business?

I'm new to the home business thing. I dont want to work online, I have an idea for a business that I would like to start.

Say I go to someone's house, and do a service for them.. Clean house, yard, etc...

Anyways, then they pay me with a check. They make the check payable to ABC business. (etc)

What do you need to start a small business account at a bank?

How will this work for tax purposes?

Thanks.

DONT CLICK ON THAT LINK BELOW, that guy is a virus, I clicked it and my virus software immediately said it was a virus.

Thanks for the heads up on that! I would of to see what they were referring you over to. I wonder if he knows. You might want to tell him.
Val is correct. If your starting your own privately owned home based business, then you will need to set up all kinds of different things. Your license, checking account, INSURANCE IS A MUST! PROTECT YOURSELF!!, You will also have to do your own billing, accounts payable, accounts receivables, etc etc. A lot of work, and a lot of money being dished out. In this type of home based business, you will be accumulating a lot of over head expenses. A lot of head aches for yourself. That is why we simply partnered up with a company for our home based business to eliminate these expenses and head aches.
But anyway, yeah, you need to take care of all this stuff, before you walk into someone's house. You never know when someone is going to try and sue you for damages that you did not do.

Tiffany

Hi BWI,

Yes you need a business license in the city you do business if it's just you I believe the cost will be under $75.00 per year. You will have to open a business checking account and that requires you to file a fictitious business statement in a local newspaper. It's really very easy so don't sweat it. If you want to take a peek at what my wife and I started at home in September 07 read my profile and contact me, goodluck.

Sincerely,
Val

You have to start out with legal permits. Your city hall can tell you what you need (if anything) for a home business. You will need to look into the tax issue directly with your county, state and the IRS for federal. You will need to learn about sales/service tax and income tax and self employment tax. No, it's not hard ... the are businesses up and running all around you. You may want to partner with an attorney and accountant for the professional assistance and they are tax deductible expenses so they are paid from your business fund. Don't forget to consider business insurance. Even cleaning a person's home could subject you to a lawsuit. Again have a lawyer and hope you never need him or her. The bank account can't come until you have a legitimate business license that says you are ABC business. Two great sources are listed below that can help with businesss start up: