Last year I got most of my income for working from home in the state of Virginia. I did work for a company that is not owned by me and was located in another town in Virginia. I got a 1099 as an individual from the company for the work that I did. This work was all conducted by phone and email, no one came to my home. I recently got a letter in the mail from the City of Winchester, VA saying that I did not register as a business in the city and that I needed to pay back licensing fees. I know you're not my lawyer, but do I have to do this?
posted by jefeweiss on Nov 6, 2009 - 13 answers

I'm thinking about cashing out my 401k to help start a business. I know I will pay a penalty, and that what I take out will be taxable income, but I expect my business to post a loss the first year that would offset most of (if not all) of this income. Would I still have to pay taxes on all of the 401k money? [more inside]
posted by wezelboy on Oct 1, 2009 - 8 answers

Taxes/licenses required for Nevada company providing consulting services in California? [more inside]
posted by Jacqueline on Aug 14, 2009 - 2 answers

Mixing business and pleasure as a small businessperson, I need a little advice regarding taxes and business travel. [more inside]
posted by TungstenChef on Jun 8, 2009 - 1 answer

What sort of state of organization are the financial records of most sole proprietorships in? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 17, 2009 - 5 answers

blogging as a business and taxes - it can't be so difficult! Or can it? The Plan - spouse and I want to start a travel blog (we love to travel and are *good* at it!) as a business. You know, run some google ads, make a little money. Actually, if we make enough to cover our travel, we'll be happy (until the eventual greed kicks in). Soooo... if we're going to make more than $600 here in America, the IRS is going to want it's share. But two can play at that game! We want to take all the deductions we can (home office, website costs and, of course, our travel). It will just be the two of us, no employees. But therein lies the confusion... [more inside]
posted by catcatwomanman on Dec 8, 2008 - 15 answers

Someone wants to pay me to do stuff! Only I'm not really sure how to go about it. Now what? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 11, 2008 - 4 answers

Experiencing turning a sole proprietorship into an LLC in California? [more inside]
posted by supermedusa on Aug 20, 2008 - 2 answers

I’m a writer who is spending more and more time in Los Angeles for work. I live in Florida, and am a Florida resident. My question is this: If I rent a place in LA, because I am spending roughly half of my time there, what deductions can I take advantage of? [more inside]
posted by vVCHAZVv on Mar 27, 2008 - 1 answer

StartupFilter: Payroll processing co or part-time bookkeeper for SF Bay Area co? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 21, 2008 - 6 answers

CanadianTaxesFilter: Can I legally claim some of my debt as an "investment expense" if I give up my second job to focus on my business? [more inside]
posted by bitteroldman on Feb 21, 2008 - 5 answers

Simple set of calculations/spreadsheet formulas for thinking about the true cost of starting a business or going freelance? [more inside]
posted by garfy3 on Feb 10, 2008 - 3 answers

Is there an expense reporting app that's flexible, handy, and will help me finish next year's taxes quickly and easily? I know about excel, quicken, and various financial transaction apps, but what if I drive 100 miles to a tech conference and want to note my mileage? And what if I'm out entertaining clients and I want to pop onto my iPhone to note the total bill for the evening (before I forget the next day to open excel). Are there any web-based flexible apps for doing all the expense reporting you might need for a small business' bookkeeping needs?
posted by mathowie on Jan 31, 2008 - 7 answers

I'm planning to do some on-the-side freelance photography in the next year. I'd like some advice on how to play the tax game most effectively. [more inside]
posted by sprocket87 on Sep 28, 2007 - 8 answers

I need software to manage my personal & business budget. [more inside]
posted by idlm on Sep 20, 2007 - 7 answers

I own with my partner a transcription service for film and TV production companies in Ontario. Recently, a company asked us to do something I consider slightly shady, and I'd like some opinions about what to do. [more inside]
posted by Lieber Frau on May 15, 2007 - 25 answers

Tax planning advice for the self employed. The web is full of articles, the bookstores are full of guides. But there is so much "get rich quick" and "pay zero taxes" crap out there that I am not sure where to go for good, solid tax planning advice. [more inside]
posted by Nothing on Mar 26, 2007 - 5 answers

Can I start a LLC (or similar) who's only business is to manage investments and reinvest any gains? What are the tax implications? [more inside]
posted by blueplasticfish on Nov 28, 2006 - 13 answers

I'm trying to make my new web project legal in California. After reading through the Nolo press book(s), we thought that perhaps the LLC was the best corporate structure (we are going to issue stock and give the primary developer a portion in lieu of payment). While the Federal government taxes LLCs like sole proprietorships - you aren't taxed unless you make profit, and I don't see our profit outpacing our costs for a year - the State of California charges an LLC "tax" (really a fee) of $800, due almost immediately after your incorporation paperwork goes through, so... [more inside]
posted by luriete on Sep 8, 2006 - 9 answers

I have several questions about starting a business. [more inside]
posted by medusa on May 17, 2006 - 11 answers

What are the advantages, disadvantages, and Important Things To Know about officially starting a business? [more inside]
posted by cortex on Mar 28, 2006 - 17 answers

How do I write off my defunct business partnership on my taxes? I ended a 2 year self employment partnership (incorporated LLC) August of this year, walking away with around $8k in personally liable loans, as well as racking up another $5K after my car was repossessed. I want to know how best to claim this loss on my taxes. [more inside]
posted by daHIFI on Feb 27, 2006 - 4 answers

I never understood how the "SUV as a business write-off" thing works. Can any tax-savvy folks explain to me how this saves you taxes or gets you a virtually free car? More >> [more inside]
posted by mathowie on Aug 4, 2004 - 10 answers