JBVoice Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 I have a quick question about taxes (in the US) When I was doing stuff with Blue Stone, I had someone who took care of it. Do I have to get a tax ID for JoBo Voice Overs? Do I need a business license for it as well? I was told by a friend, I don't, because its a sole person running it but I wanted to check. Thanks for any help -JB Jon Bova "Successful people have libraries. The rest have big screen TVs. - Jim Rohn" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 I would call a local branch of the small business administration to get a definitive answer. OR Check with the local chamber of commerce and see if they have any one that does mentoring for small businesses. Relaxing Entertainment For The World - - www.ScenicRadio.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBVoice Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 Well, I talked to someone at the bank, and they told me that if I sell services online, own my own website, don't make more than 10,000 dollars a month, that I should be fine. I cannot open a business bank account however....I still actually have the Blue Stone account open :x -JB Jon Bova "Successful people have libraries. The rest have big screen TVs. - Jim Rohn" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinglemaster Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 I did some research into this. Firstly you need to get a form BS1. Then you fill in the foreign student section, putting Mombassa as your birth place. Then, when you get the money you can relax and carry on life as normal. Hang on, sorry. That is US President application. My mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBVoice Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 ROFL!!!!! JM, that was pretty good. The president is pretty much a joke right now, well, the governments been going downhill for a very long time...Oh well, I'll be the first one on the first commercial flight to the moon, to move there -JB Jon Bova "Successful people have libraries. The rest have big screen TVs. - Jim Rohn" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredradio Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 It depends on your state... for example I live in Michigan if I am the sole person that owns the business you do not need a tax I.D. #/employer I.D. # if I decide to hire employees then I need a Employer I.D. # but in order to get a business account you need a D.B.A. (doing business as) and you can get that at your county clerks office ( is around $10.00 and up) NOTE that there is no suck thing as a business license in some states like Michigan believe me I know they thought I was an idiot when I ask how much a business license was Call your local county clerks office they might have the info for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBVoice Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 Yeah, I took care of it all...I have no intentions to get a business license due to it being online services, besides, most of my clients write me checks....lol -JB Jon Bova "Successful people have libraries. The rest have big screen TVs. - Jim Rohn" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredradio Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 lol... there you go you're all set than Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwdservices Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 To clear some things up, you DO need a business license even if you are selling online services as a sole proprietorship without anyone visiting you or having employees. Basically you're breaking the law by taking in any income in a location without a business license. This applies pretty much throughout all the states, the only things that are different are penalties and such. If your town/city is incorporated, go to them for the business license. If they aren't and your town/city is just a mailing address, then go to the county for the business license. As for the Tax ID number, it's not required unless you either have employees or you have a registered corporation (with the state) because since the corporation is in a way its own person, the government needs a way to identify it just like American citizens need a social security number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwdservices Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Yeah, I took care of it all...I have no intentions to get a business license due to it being online services, besides, most of my clients write me checks....lol -JB Unfortunately you need the business license or you are techincally breaking the law. For any form of income, a business license is required, whether it is running a lemonade stand or a multi-million dollar company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoutcaststreaming Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 And most states require a DBA (doing business as) if you are using a company name, rather than just your own name. SCS - Dedicated Bandwidth Servers Shoutcast / Icecast / Windows Media Transcoding - Auto DJ - Mobile Radio - FLASH Players - Auto DJ Broadcasting World's Stream Host of the Month Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredradio Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 The only think required in the state of Michigan is a DBA and an employer ID # (only if you have employees, if you are the only person working under your company and you have no employees an employer ID # is not required, you may use your SS #) if you are selling products a sales tax ID # may be required I have talked to 3 different people with the state, county, and town hall they all said the same think there is no such thing as a business license in the state Michigan how ever some states have different laws, your best bet is to go to your state web site and they will have all the info you need...not all states require a business license but there are licenses for different types of businesses that they do require in Michigan state Licenses are determined by the type of business you have (for example Locksmiths do not need a state license but private investigator do) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBVoice Posted October 16, 2009 Author Share Posted October 16, 2009 Well, KWD I called up the bank, and they know me well, so they answered the question quickly, you are somewhat right, they assumed I meant selling on ebay, in which you don't need a license (not business selling on ebay, just casual). They told me that I can use my current license for Blue Stone Productions, all I have to do is get a DBA, as you said, and I need to renew the license to the new name within the next 30 days (well less than that now). I totally did not make things clear, and I apologize for that. I am running things legally, I just have to change the name by going to the county office for business, or whatever. Jon Bova "Successful people have libraries. The rest have big screen TVs. - Jim Rohn" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwdservices Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Well I'm not sure how else to state it, but that simply isn't correct. Basically anywhere in the United States you need a business license to legally have any form of income. Selling possessions on eBay to get rid of them falls in a different category than selling them as a way to make money though. I know you said you talked to someone from your town hall, but that is simply incorrect. As for your voice over business, you definitely need a business license to operate that, especially in Maryland where it looks like you are located JBVoice. A DBA though does vary state to state, so whether or not you need one completely depends on the state. Dred: As I stated above, you need a business license in all 50 states to earn any sort of income. They might call it something different, but you need one for tax purposes. Let's think about it this way....If you don't have one, how is your local government suppose to make money? Most of the government's money in towns/cities and counties comes from business taxes, and business licenses are how they tax it. If you only paid income tax, the IRS would be the only one bringing in money and the local governments wouldn't be able to support themselves off of just real estate and car registration taxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBVoice Posted October 17, 2009 Author Share Posted October 17, 2009 KWD, I understand what you are saying, but what you are saying is not matching what people that work in the business department here in my county are saying. I'm pretty sure I'm going to take their word over someone who lives out of state. I called them right after I posted that last post, and spoke with a consultant of some sort who verified, for the most part, that the bank was correct. Because I technically have a business license, and still have to pay taxes/file for income taxes with Blue Stone Productions, that I am still covered, I just have to change the name. The lady was very polite and answered all the questions. I explained my situation, and she pretty much told me what the bank told me. I don't doubt you, I just am listening to the people who actual issue the license. Maybe you didn't understand....I do have a current valid business license, but under the old name, according to my counties business management office, all I have to do is transfer the name. Technically, this process must be done within 30 days of the name change. I took care of it as of tonight, changed the DBA and the new business license will be in the mail for me to sign and fax back to them. So there is no need to answer my questions anymore. I got them all answered by the people who know what their talking bout. Thanks for the help though, all of you. -JB Jon Bova "Successful people have libraries. The rest have big screen TVs. - Jim Rohn" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredradio Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Well I'm not sure how else to state it, but that simply isn't correct. Basically anywhere in the United States you need a business license to legally have any form of income. here is a link to the Michigan.gov site http://michigan.gov/statelicensesearch The State of Michigan does not have a generic business license. to read more on this click here Like I said things are different in each state, JB Voice I suggest you listen to you local bank, state offices, town hall, county offices, or local business owners and not us, they would know more than people like us who do not live in your state Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBVoice Posted October 17, 2009 Author Share Posted October 17, 2009 Thats what I did/am doing ;) Thanks for all the help though -JB Jon Bova "Successful people have libraries. The rest have big screen TVs. - Jim Rohn" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwdservices Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Maybe you didn't understand....I do have a current valid business license, but under the old name, according to my counties business management office, all I have to do is transfer the name. Ahh I apologize, I did misunderstand what you were saying. Thank you for the clarification Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwdservices Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 here is a link to the Michigan.gov site http://michigan.gov/statelicensesearch to read more on this click here Like I said things are different in each state, JB Voice I suggest you listen to you local bank, state offices, town hall, county offices, or local business owners and not us, they would know more than people like us who do not live in your state I think you misunderstand. There is a difference between being licensed by the state and being licensed by your town/city or county. You are correct in saying that not all businesses need to be licensed by the state, as this generally only applies to attorneys, doctors, plumbers, and electricians, and is licensing you on your ability to operate, not making money. The purpose of the local license is a tax and has normally has nothing to do with your ability to operate. The local license varies state to state in its purpose, but 99% of the time its purpose is taxes. As I said above, think of it like this. How is your local town/government suppose to operate without taxes from businesses? Do you really think the taxes from just real estate are enough for them to operate? It simply doesn't work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredradio Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 no I'm not I have talked to my local county and town hall and my accountant and they all said the same thing the only think I need if I am selling goods is a sale tax license and a DBA (unless I use my own full name in the business name I don't even have to have a DBA) and an FEIN is not required if you don't have employees you may use your SS# I live in a very small town my accountant even said that licenses and requirements vary from state to state and from town to town as long as I pay my tax and keep my records I am legal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredradio Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 I also called my county and they did say there is no such think as a business license in Michigan just an occupation license if required for my occupation and Sales tax license if I am sell goods and were I live my town does not require a local tax I have done my home work I have call the people I needed too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwdservices Posted October 18, 2009 Share Posted October 18, 2009 This is starting to annoy me Dred. I came in here to try and help someone with a question and you are sitting here arguing with me over something that you are clearly being misinformed about or misunderstanding the answer. I am going to try one more time to clearly explain this. Yes, license requirements vary state to state, but the bottom line is that you need one in all 50 states to legally make any sort of income for something considered a business (as stated above, selling excess items on eBay does not count). Take for example driving. You need the drivers' license in all 50 states, but the specific rules regarding the license such as how old you have to be, what kind of vision you need to have without wearing glasses, etc are different in each state. The occupation permit adds in another factor. That is something that does vary whether or not you need one. In some locations it is only required if you have a location where people are constantly coming and going such as a store or doctor's office, but you can get away without one if you have a small office with 3 or 4 employees and almost never meet with anyone outside of your company in that location. Some locations such as our town require one no matter what, even if it is a home based business (seems kind of silly for a home based business to need one doesn't it hehe). I think you don't understand what a business license is and are asking the people in your local government the wrong question Dred. They are obviously pointing you in the direction of state licenses for the purpose of certification, which is not what you want, and that is why they are saying you don't need one and that one doesn't exist for internet businesses. You need a business license saying that you are allowed to make money. If you don't have one, the business is home based, and your income is relatively low, the chances of you getting caught or being fined are probably lower, but that doesn't make it legal. You are getting the state and the town/city or county's roles confused. The state grants the right to operate a business. If you aren't a specialized service you can pass through this level unless you want to become incorporated. After you pass through the state level, you have to move on to the town/city or county which has the role of being in charge of the monetary side of things. An attorney, for example, is licensed by the state bar for their right to practice law. The law firm itself is also licensed by the state for the right to practice law, but the specific business itself is being licensed by the town/city or county for handling the monetary side of things and checking on occupancy and local rules such as maintaining the property. When you have a business in any location, you need to pay taxes to two places. The first place is the IRS obviously, and if your business is unincorporated then you just pay your taxes to the IRS through your regular taxes that you pay for yourself. The second place is your local government, whether this a town/city or county. They generally tax on gross income and nothing else. All they want is one number, unlike the IRS that taxes based on multiple factors. If a town/city is incorporated, it will generally handle business licenses. If it isn't, you have to deal with the county, hence the reason why I keep saying town/city or county. Lake George, MI where you say you are located is unincorporated. I am very curious as to how exactly you called your town hall if there is no town hall that exists? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_George,_Michigan no I'm not I have talked to my local county and town hall and my accountant and they all said the same thing the only think I need if I am selling goods is a sale tax license and a DBA (unless I use my own full name in the business name I don't even have to have a DBA) and an FEIN is not required if you don't have employees you may use your SS# I live in a very small town That doesn't make any sense at all. You have it completely backwards. This rule varies state to state, but assuming that a DBA is required in your state, it's the other way around; you need a DBA unless you are using your name. my accountant even said that licenses and requirements vary from state to state and from town to town as long as I pay my tax and keep my records I am legal My point exactly. Paying your taxes is getting a business license... Take some time to read over this website: http://search.business.gov/permitme2_0.do?q=48633&bcat=0 Please check out the forum rules and be sure to use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Periods add a lot to a sentence... http://forums.broadcastingworld.net/faq.php?faq=broadcasting_world#faq_rules Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBVoice Posted October 18, 2009 Author Share Posted October 18, 2009 Alright guys, thanks kwd, I appreciate your help....both of you really. My question has been answered, and I don't want this disagreement to go any further. If you'd like to continue this conversation, please do so in private, in a PM. Though, I think we can all act mature ;) I agree with everything you are saying KWD, and Dred, you don't have to have the final word, lol, I got all the info needed and its done. No more need to continue this thread, I'll keep it open though...just keep it calm and no harsh feelings. -JB Jon Bova "Successful people have libraries. The rest have big screen TVs. - Jim Rohn" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredradio Posted October 18, 2009 Share Posted October 18, 2009 I am sorry if I upset you I am just telling you what people are telling me and I apologizes consider this my last post on this manner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.