Hello,

I am a freelance programmer, and I have been starting to do a lot more work lately, looking at a lot more potential money. I want to make sure I do everything legally, and make sure I pay any needed taxes and such.

So I have a few questions, hopefully some experts could answer.

Do I need to obtain a business lisence?
Do I need to form a business?

Do I need to pay any taxes?
If so, what kind, and any more information, etc

Any other resources would be useful as well.

And if anyone with past experience in this area could help me out as how to get started, any reading and such, it would be appreciated.

Not sure if its of importance or not, but I live in the US in Washington State.

Seek a lawyer and/or CPA for any advice that could land you in jail / get you fined.

License - atleast a DBA - Lawyer
Form - depends - Lawyer

Taxes - when doesnt uncle sam want some of yours? - CPA
Type of Taxes - CPA

Resources - lawyer & CPA!

Laws depend where you are doing business.

You should never seek any type of legal advice on a forum. Even if someone if an attorney & gives you advice, you have no contract with that person.

As far as paying taxes, you should consult a bookkeeper (http://www.scgfs.com) or CPA to help you in that matter.

I am more just looking for general answers, or some reading I can do, but it looks like you guys may be right, perhaps I should seek professional advice.

EDIT: I should have called my post "Seeking Legal Information" instead :)

Thanks

http://sba.gov/

That might give you some general knowledge but its going to more efficent to go see the lawyer & CPA

Just register your business as an LLC in Washington, pay them the fees. Get a taxpayer ID number from Uncle Sam. Pay out half or more of your money in taxes and like it. Be sure to send the government that money as it comes in or you'll pay a penalty at the end of the year. It's not that hard.

Originally posted by page-zone
Pay out half or more of your money in taxes and like it. Be sure to send the government that money as it comes in or you'll pay a penalty at the end of the year.

Ain't that the truth!

Another organization - check out http://www.score.org

You are seeking legal advice - your title say it.
So seek legal advice.
Most advice you get on WHT could be misleading.

The IRS has lots of useful resources on their website www.irs.gov.

Michael M.