Moving to Washington State - some business questions

I'm moving to Washington state at the end of February and making the leap to full time photography as a business. I have questions! Hope someone here can help. My main areas will be real estate, automotive, and landscape (running tours/teaching). I'm a PPA member so this is kind of based on my membership and its available programs. If you are not a PPA member, please let me know what you are using for insurance.

1. Can PPA provide assistance in getting the correct business licenses in Washington so I'm 100% legal? I'll be living outside of Vancouver WA and will only very occasionally use my home for any portrait work.

2. Is PPA's liability, drone, and full coverage of my equipment (not the free, included insurance I already have with PPA) a good deal, or is it less expensive/better to get quotes from local insurance agencies in Washington? I'm just getting started and want to keep it simple so I'm not overwhelmed and stressed to the max getting everything sorted.

3. What software do you recommend for accounting? Right now I just use Excel for my invoicing.

4. Any tips or things to make sure I don't forget? I've already got a great accountant, so there's that!

Thanks in advance for any help!
James

I can't speak for #1 or #2, but as for #3, Quickbooks is a favorite of many. I have had good luck with their support team when I have questions as well. And as for #4, I would also look into Oregon licenses. Portland, OR is a stone's throw from Vancouver and I'd bet that you'll find yourself working in Oregon from time to time.

James33 wrote in post #18782852
I'm moving to Washington state at the end of February and making the leap to full time photography as a business. I have questions! Hope someone here can help. My main areas will be real estate, automotive, and landscape (running tours/teaching). I'm a PPA member so this is kind of based on my membership and its available programs. If you are not a PPA member, please let me know what you are using for insurance.
1. Can PPA provide assistance in getting the correct business licenses in Washington so I'm 100% legal? I'll be living outside of Vancouver WA and will only very occasionally use my home for any portrait work.
2. Is PPA's liability, drone, and full coverage of my equipment (not the free, included insurance I already have with PPA) a good deal, or is it less expensive/better to get quotes from local insurance agencies in Washington? I'm just getting started and want to keep it simple so I'm not overwhelmed and stressed to the max getting everything sorted.
3. What software do you recommend for accounting? Right now I just use Excel for my invoicing.
4. Any tips or things to make sure I don't forget? I've already got a great accountant, so there's that!
Thanks in advance for any help! James

.

So ..... did the move happen when you expected it to?

How has this all been working out for you so far?


.

#3 You might ask your accountant which software they prefer. It could save them time and you money.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #18822633
.

So ..... did the move happen when you expected it to?

How has this all been working out for you so far?

.

Just got my business license today, along with insurance and a 1 year subscription to QuickBooks. My accountant can import/use the files it produces, although I am clueless at the moment on what he needs. My next step is to figure out how and when to pay my taxes and when I need to collect them from clients. From what I've read if you aren't selling a tangible product there is no sales tax. And WA doesn't have a state tax. I'll be proving digital files for my clients to download. Rarely will I be selling prints, books, or calendars.

If anyone has any insight on the tax part of this I'd appreciate it!

Thanks!
James