Does anyone here have a business license?

Unless you want to keep your business separate from your personal finances you are fine just being a sole proprietor. While I do my online work as a sole proprietor I did form a LLC for a different business I own. To do this I used a local attorney not some online form. If I recall correctly it cost me a little over $1000 to do it.

That depends from a country to country. For example, here in Russia being a sole proprietor costs me a 6% tax only. I.e. 94% of all money I earn online goes straight into my pocket.

Dont go through Legal Zoom, I have set up a hundred companies online, the best and cheapest way to do it is through your States "Division of Corporations" website. In Florida its SunBiz but depending on which state you live in its easy to find. I would also suggest an LLC. A Corporation will require you take minutes in a yearly shareholders meeting which is silly if you are the only shareholder and there are a lot of other things to file as a C Corp to keep an Active Status. You will also need an EIN Number which you can easily file on IRS.GOV for free! Hope that helps.

My state, VA, has a "Business One Stop" online...I'd imagine other states have something similar, tho I could be wrong.

I followed the steps it outlined and went down to the courthouse, signed a few things, and started a Sole Proprietorship...it was not too difficult and literally cost me like $30.

Now, I could be missing something...I never spoke with a lawyer or anything, but I did follow everything the State's site said. I haven't filed taxes or anything for it yet, just started it about a month ago...but...was actually really easy to start a Sole Proprietorship.

You may be confusing two different issues: (1) a business license and (2) the business form.

If you have a "business" then most likely the local government entity wants you to pay for a license.

The "form" of your business is a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation. All "forms" may need a license.

The license should be super easy to get because the government just wants your money and it goes into the general fund. This does not require LegalZoom or other service.

The "form" of your business is also easy to create, even a corporation, and may require a separate registration fee with the state (not the local licensing entity like your city or county). However, "easy" can be in the eye of the beholder and many are more comfortable having an attorney or service like LegalZoom create the paperwork.

.

If you are truly talking a business license only, you do not need to get incorporated to do so. Each county has a small fee and a few other easy hoops to jump through to get one. I would not incorporate or form a partnership unless you had good reasons to do so, ie: tax purposes or liability, etc. Hope that helps and good luck.

not all because I know some that doesnt have.

You need to visit a local tax consultant who would tell you what is the best way to optimize your taxes.

If you are in the US just go to your states . Gov website and fill out the form to register. A few years back when I did this it was about $70 total in Indiana. Just for the record, it was an LLC that I applied for. And then you can amend it to add DBAs for like $20 bucks.

Getting a business license is not a necessity but it comes across as more professional when dealing with clients if you ever decide to venture offline.