Basic Guidelines To Keeping Your Work-At-Home Business Legal
A work at home business or home business can be an exciting,
challenging, and lucrative adventure. It is, however, relatively
the same as any other business, and is subject to the same laws
and regulations that govern any business, no matter what the
size. Simply because home businesses are sometimes "one person"
endeavors (especially in the beginning) does not free them from
adherence to the same laws and regulations that apply to all
businesses.
In order to avoid problems both in the beginning, and in the
future of any home business, it is important to do some
research, spend some money, and otherwise make sure that all
laws and regulations at the state, local, and national levels
are followed "to the letter".
Herewith follows some basic guidelines to keeping your work at
home business legal, and avoiding possible aggravation and
heartache in the future:
1. Call your Department of State, or other local government
agency, before starting your business. All information from
local government agencies is always usually free, and any
required licenses such as DBA (Doing Business As, or Fictitious
Name Licensing), will be fully explained, as well as Articles of
Incorporation and other smaller license requirements. Usually
the fees and how to obtain all necessary licensing will be
explained as well in a phone call such as this. 2. Call your
regional or local government office for any advice on zoning
permits that may be required or space and inventory
requirements, depending on the type of business. 3. Call an
accountant or accounting firm. These firms are generally hugely
knowledgeable about how to start and maintain a legal work at
home business and will freely share this advice with others.
They will in addition have a good knowledge of local
requirements and tax issues. 4. Find out before starting, what
tax requirements are necessary and the forms you must have on
hand before beginning. These forms and requirements will depend
on the type of business, number of employees (if any), etc., and
are a necessary part of setting up any home-based business. 5.
Call a local business chamber of commerce if possible. Other
business owners can effectively impart information on other
legalities, and usually do so very willingly.
All of the above require some fees, but are usually very
economical means of preventing larger fines and sometimes legal
action if regulations and licensing requirements are not met.
Remember, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", and
this statement is no truer than when applied to a work at home
business.