Business License

[ryleerider]

I'm wanting to start a portrait business. Is it necessary to get a business license before I start charging?

[Eagle i]

if you need to ask this question then I think you have other questions you should be asking yourself to see if you really are cut out for running a business.

1st Question I will ask you is: Have you completed your business plan?

[Eagle i]

fwiw, I am not trying to be mean or anything but in this economy you cant just take things for granted and running a business is more than just being able to take good pictures or make good food(if you are a chef and want to open a restaurant etc)...I only wrote what I did above to make sure you do your homework so you hopefully dont open a business and become one of the "bad" statistics

[ryleerider]

No, I have not completed a business plan. I was expecting an answer along these lines in fact. I am a long way off from actually starting a business, but I have people who are already wanting to pay for pictures. I don't want to do anything illegal and don't want to turn the money down at the same time.

[DDCSD]

OP, where are you located?

[cory1848]

fwiw, I am not trying to be mean or anything but in this economy you cant just take things for granted and running a business is more than just being able to take good pictures or make good food(if you are a chef and want to open a restaurant etc)...I only wrote what I did above to make sure you do your homework so you hopefully dont open a business and become one of the "bad" statistics

I think that was a rather harsh answer. I think the OP is doing their homework by asking the question on here. Did you magically know all the answers or did you ever have to ask someone for help?

How does that question have anything to do with their ability to run a business?

To the OP, the question applies to where you live. A business license is usually dependent on where you live, what state, county, town etc. Some locales don't require a license, some do. Some require both a county and city license as well. The easiest way to answer your question is to call your local city hall and ask if you need one. They will be able to help you further with that. If you do need one, its a simple process. Either way, you will have to pay taxes on the money you make.

[zagiace]

if you need to ask this question then I think you have other questions you should be asking yourself to see if you really are cut out for running a business.

1st Question I will ask you is: Have you completed your business plan?
License and requirements are all part of completing a business plan. Gathering the information you will need for your area is a very responsible approach to starting out in any business.
It does not reflect on whether you are ready to start a business or not.

[Keltab]

I am in the same position somewhat. I have written the outline to my business plan, and now I want to make sure I have my ducks in a row. My target audience are parents of local sports leagues. I am deciding if an LLC, Sole Proprietorship, etc is the best way to go as an "official" company.
I think asking the questions on here is the best way to start all of this...

[Eagle i]

I am in the same position somewhat. I have written the outline to my business plan, and now I want to make sure I have my ducks in a row. My target audience are parents of local sports leagues. I am deciding if an LLC, Sole Proprietorship, etc is the best way to go as an "official" company.
I think asking the questions on here is the best way to start all of this...an accountant/cpa would be the best person for you to talk with to help make that decision.