Home-Based Business – Getting Started
Home-Based Business – Getting Started
Many home-based businesses are either sole proprietor or a general partnership. These are simplified methods of developing a business and can often allow the greatest flexibility in startup and business termination.
With a sole proprietor business you are the single business owner paying all taxes at years end. You will likely be required to obtain a business license and applicable permits.
With a general partnership a partnership agreement is generally developed. The partnership is dissolved when one party wishes to end their stake in the business. This type of business is developed when either two friends wish to start a business together or two family members. There are also limited partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies that can be developed, but for the sake of this article we will key in on the simplest forms of business ownership.
With most online business that operates as a home-based business there is not the need for an in-home showroom or customer visitation. In fact, many municipalities and or covenant communities do not allow the sale of items through a more traditional home-based business where items are actually sold out of the home to visiting customers.
Should your home-based business receive in-home business you would likely need to look at purchasing business insurance. Most homeowner policies will not cover loss if it is determined the loss was actually related to a business visit or transaction.
The income produced from a home-based online business is considered taxable under self-employment standards in the United States. This means that you will be responsible to manage the tax liability on your income. As mentioned above this can be managed when your yearly taxes are prepared. If you have a net income that exceeds $400, self-employment taxes will need to be paid. You should also know that the Internal Revenue Service pays particular attention to home office deductions so be sure you follow all guidelines if you claim your home office as a deduction in your home-based business because some things are deductible while others are not.
You should also make sure to keep very good records of all profit and loss. You can work with an accountant to discover the specific deductions you can claim on the business you have chosen to operate.
Tax time will be a bit more stressful with additional forms to fill out and information to have on hand, but this is a small price to pay for using your skills in the development of a home-based business.
