| Bulent Murtezaoglu 2005-08-30, 7:00 pm |
| >>>>> "KMP" == Kent M Pitman <Kent> writes:
[...]
KMP> There's a difference between writing software and "starting a
KMP> business". Anyone can write a product, by pretending it's a
KMP> hobby and avoiding the scrutiny of government. But a
KMP> business is generally something that's registered, taxed,
KMP> regulated, ... it generally has a first class identity that
KMP> can be inspected from the outside, a tax status, various
KMP> government ID numbers. It's a matter of record when it
KMP> appears and disappears. It's considerably more effort and
KMP> expense exactly because it cannot be done privately. One can
KMP> be "in business" sometimes as an individual, but if you start
KMP> "a business" (with a name distinct from your own), it's
KMP> generally more complicated, and consequently more expensive.
[...]
Hmm, I dunno what it is like in NH and MA, but this didn't quite ring
true for NY (it does ring true for Istanbul but I doubt that's the
jurisdiction you had in mind). If you mean with a 'first class
identity', 'suable idependently' then it _does_ get considerably more
expensive, you are correct. On the other hand, an entity not
operating under your own name can be had for $35 + possibly 1/2 hr. in
NY. I happened to know this, but google is your friend for other
states. eg:
http://www.erie.gov/depts/governmen...rmits_dba.phtml
Right at the start, especially if the amounts are low and you go the DBA
route, the legal expenses in time and money (while they do exist) are
really minimal. "Doing Business As" is the keyword you want if you
will search, since DBA also stands for Database Administrator.
Kent's advice _is_ sound, consult the pros, of course. I just wanted
to point out that the expense does not need to be high. (I am unsure
if the gov't will do anything bad to you if you call your business
Joe's Wondersoft and keep on using your Joe Schmoe bank account w/o
filing anything. Possibly not, but your bank will probably ask for
some kind of DBA paperwork if you want Joe's Wondersoft checks.)
BM
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