Registering as a freelancer
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- whendog
Anyone know where I can register to the state of CA as a freelancer / contractor?
Thanks in advance
- akrokdesign0
city hall?
- monospaced0
It's all in the tax forms.
- bulletfactory0
are you asking about starting a business or something different? if starting a business - you can just use your name and create a LLC on your state govt. website. This will give you a tax ID - though if you don't start a business (as in LLC, SCorp, LLP, INC etc) your social security number is your tax id. i could be wrong - but there isn't a whole lot to it other than paying for the forms and processing.
- nice - just trying to be more official, you know?whendog
- acescence0
if you're ok with just using your name and social security number, it's way easier to not set up a business. the paperwork is a pain in the ass.
- fyoucher10
yeh, I don't have a tax ID b/c I don't have employees. When I subcontract, I just send out 1099-Misc come tax time (end of January). I'm not a LLC because I don't need to be. I file as a sole-proprietor on my tax return. I'm still a business, I'm just not employed by someone other than myself. What I do have is a fictitious business name that's registered but you don't even need to do that.
My big mistake was marketing myself using my name (or nickname). Now my clients know me by it and I'll always look like a one man show unless I change it. If I were starting over again, I would have marketed myself as a studio/agency/etc so I could hire other folks or to let my clients know that I am more than just myself.
How'r things over there anyway?
- Scotch_Roman0
Actually if you are operating under a fictitious name (i.e., people are writing checks to the name of a business that is different from your actual name), you do have to register it as a DBA (Doing Business As). In my state it only costs $7 and last for 7 years.
- Scotch_Roman0
...And if you have business bank accounts that are separate from your personal bank accounts, you need a tax ID#. This will make your life much easier come tax time.
- skt0
i just got sent your portfolio...
- rippedursite0
with a portfolio of work like yours i wouldn't think you'd need to register for shit...
- hektor9110
wow i feel hostility around here..
- hektor9110
hey whendog I see good stuff there.... we need to talk...
- BK0