Thinking of going "offline." Do I need a business license?

You're probably going to want to give it a go with a business entity. Set up a sole proprietorship at your local county clerk's office under your name. (your name dba offline business name) This form is known as "Doing business as"

It's easy to do and then you will gain a bit of professionalism as well as a layer between you and the business. There are several considerations here. If someone pays you with a business check, they need 'numbers' for their accountant. I mean a social security number, tax id number or employer id number. Do you really want your social security number out there when you can use a business format instead?

Start up the business first and then decide where it needs to go. That means, keep expenses to a bare minimum. No glossy brochures, letterhead, imprinted pens, etc. (When it's time for some of that, though, make sure that you send it out to a printer and spend the money so it doesn't look cheap).

If you have a corporate structure in place, you can make dba's for each of your separate entities that you develop into, or you can decide to do a corporation for each one. An "S" corporation is the easiest to set up and administer because the "S" is the IRS section that lets you pass income directly onto your personal tax returns rather than the double tax that both a "C" corporation and you would pay on the same earnings.

Get the easiest thing going first--the dba from your clerk's office, and then actually start the business. Visit a local bank and find out what kind of paperwork they need to set up this kind of account so you are prepared. Then get some business and let the business take you in the right direction.

NO.

Make money first. Then take care of the technicalities.

There are so many business people that incorporate, worry about copyright, figure out legal and accounting all before they've made a single dollar. Three months of planning later, they go into business only to stop working at it a week later.

Don't worry about the technicalities until you've made at least $5,000. Then if you want to get a business license, file an LLC, etc do it then. For now, focus on making the cash.

There's plenty of banks offering free checking accounts for your business but even if you use your name, keep a separate account. This won't cost you money, except for the checks and it will be much easier to do taxes when you keep personal from business.

Look up the government site for your state and find out what the requirements are for doing business. You'll probably have to put a deposit down for sales tax but they may not require it for that type of service. You can go to a local Dept. of revenue office and they will answer your questions to make sure you are legal.

First impressions are big so I would make sure you invest little to start but at least be professional. You can pay a minimal fee to have a ringover on your phone for your business.

You can even get free business cards ... IMHO I would go with a LLC in lieu of a sole proprietorship. I did my own thru the online state government site and I can't remember how much it was (maybe $50) but a lawyer told me to protect my personal assets that way.

I forgot to add, sorry for the double post.

Please check with your Zoning Board if your business is in your home. Do this before your City gets involved and shuts you down. Find Zoning in your local city hall in the city engineer or planning offices.

Don't skip this step--In my neighborhood it is illegal to start a public business in a private home. By this I don't mean a home office made over from a part of the basement or a spare room with only one person working there. I mean that it is not an approved land use in my residential zoned neighborhood for any commercial entity transact business (and receive mail and freight/fed ex'es) and have clients visit the premises.

Check it out.

I believe you need too, But I'm not 100% sure...

But you will also have to pay the taxes...