Aside from accounting (filing taxes and whatnot) do you have to file any state forms to be a sole proprietor, or is that just the title for a "person running a non incorporated business"? Just curious, thanks!

I'm not sure how it works in the US, however, in Canada I had to file a name registration and business registration form to become a sole proprietor for one of my first companies.

Yeah, I figured it was something along those lines. Anybody in the U.S. want to shine some light? :)

It's really risky being a sole proprietor. I wouldn't recommend it, considering it's so easy to become an LLC. If you get sued, and are registered as a sole proprietor, your personal assets are at stake.

Yikes.

I am a sole proprietor, in New York to be specific. Here I had to go to the county offices and register the name I wanted to use as a DBA (the business name is "Mikel Beck DBA Elite Computing Services"). I received from them a business certificate, and every quarter I receive a package from New York State for sales tax collection.

Pretty simple, actually. I think I just had a pay a filing fee - something like $35.

Technically all you need to do is file a Schedule C with your return to be a legal sole proprieter.

Depending where you live is incorporated or not, you may or may not have to file for a biz permit.

To open biz bank accounts, you need to file a DBA.

start with this

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=102767,00.html

get a tax id number so that you can keep your private SSN private!

oh sorry, did i get carried away?

contact your states secretary of state and file a trademark with them.
make sure and get a bank account that is business only. im not aware that you must have a DBA to do that?

establis as much business credit referernces as you can. these need not be formal. they can be your datacenter, your phone company, your cleaning lady, anyone who will vouch for your credit worthiness.

taxes, simply fill out a 1040 or 1040a and pay your self emloyment taxe, which is a minimum 15%. fill out any relevent schedule attachments

Roughly how much taxes do you all pay? Does it get over 25% ever? :(

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p533.pdf

Hi Ya'll,

In the county that I am to run a business you must register a DBA. As for the bank account, to obtain a business account you must have a DBA. In matter of fact, they require a copy of it along with a copy of your drivers license.

Yes, I am a legal Sole Proprietor and as long as you keep tabs on everything going on the legal issue isn't their; however, I am looking on becomeing a LLC. That has been a dream. :)

Best of Luck!!!