licensed to make a killing.. the only question is,
license the biz with city/ state / fed gov/ IRS now or later?

The GUERILLA CAPITALISM VIEW:
You want to set up your at home biz, right? Some localities do not
require a business license for a business which is run from a home, such
as where I live. No use and occupancy permit etc. Only to meet the
requirements which photography is an accepted home business. I would
recommend to incorporate, form a LLC or file a DBA (doing business as)
or a fictitious name. Here in Maryland if a person is operating a sole
proprietorship under an assumed or business they MAY file for a factious
name. Part of my business operates as a Chapter S Corporation and part
as a proprietorship. I am required to have a ³Retail Sales Tax Permit²
for prints but not for services. State and local laws vary according to
jurisdiction so one should check with both local and state requirements.
The other important thing is to have a separate checking account
specifically for business as the IRS frowns upon ³comingling² funds. As
someone else pointed out equipment, liability and business insurance is
very important. Some events, teams and leagues require a minimum of $1M
/ $3M of insurance in order to do T&I photos as do other businesses.
Iıve had personal experience with the loss of equipment and homeowners /
auto insurance will not cover it. Most membership organizations (PPA,
SEP, NPPA) have arrangements with insurance companies to offer good
prices to members. Also, some homeownerıs policies will all riders to
cover businesses operated from home. Iıve found that the insurance
offered by PPA to be less expensive and easier to obtain than a rider on
my homeownerıs policy.
 

CONSERVATIVE VIEW: before you worry about doing things right with
prints/lenses/color/etc, you should be worrying about doing the right
thing........if you are going to charge for your product/service, GET
A BUSINESS LICENSE!!!!! This demonstrates to your public you are
serious about being a photographic business instead of "just a
hobbyist", no matter what equipment/lab you may use.

MY NOTE: HOW? Do they spot your license on the wall and are they
duly impressed/ NO! NEITHER!

He goes on: I have helped many part-time folks grow and learn,
after they have demonstrated committment by stepping up to the plate
with their licensing,  accounting, and professional org. involvement.

NOTE: I bet he doesn't step on cracks either, washes his hands
ten times a day and votes the G.O.P xenophobic ticket. He's a
teabagger!

You can get your license when you can afford to! Right now, if
we had a buck we'd buy dinner, right?

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