Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

andylaiphoto · **Doing Buisness As -** 02-13-2006, 03:27 PM

I remember somebody mentioning that you can file for "Doing Business As" and set up buisness accounts with banks and not have to file for all the taxes normally involved. I want to start using an account just for my photography. Do I remember correctly and if so where do I do the paperwork involved?
Thanks

AjP · 02-13-2006, 03:35 PM

to get DBA, you need go to Court House in Dallas, Records Building, 2 floor $16 and 5 min...
Here is PDF form, feel it and bring it with you... I went there last week
super fast process.

as far as business accnt.. don't know abou it

photosbymorgan2 · 02-13-2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andylaiphoto

I remember somebody mentioning that you can file for "Doing Business As" and set up buisness accounts with banks and not have to file for all the taxes normally involved. I want to start using an account just for my photography. Do I remember correctly and if so where do I do the paperwork involved?
Thanks

Go to your court house to set up a doing business as. I went to the Court House in Fort Worth and set up my business as Photos By Morgan 2 and I also got a Tax number.

Talk to your bank about a business account. I believe you have to have a tax number but I may be wrong on that and you just need the business certificate.

bullsparade · 02-13-2006, 03:37 PM

You go to your county courthouse and tell the clerk you want the dba paperwork. Once you have that filled out and filed, you can take that courthouse copy to your bank and open a business account

brad · 02-13-2006, 04:03 PM

If you are doing business as your own name, you don't need a DBA, if I remember correctly... you can set it up as a sole proprietorship, open the account in your own name (still a good idea to keep a seperate account), and do all of your business there... you will have to be very detailed about your records (the IRS loves to audit sole props) and you will still need to get a tax number and sales tax ID from the State.. but beyond that, I think that is all you really have to do (if you are running the business as your own name).

Remember, IANAL and YMMV. Your best bet is to consult (at a minimum) a CPA.

andylaiphoto · 02-13-2006, 04:19 PM

So if I want to do business as Andy Lai Photography do I need a DBA?

AjP · 02-13-2006, 04:46 PM

Probably not, but it won't hurt ( 5 min to register and $16) dats it.

brad · 02-13-2006, 05:01 PM

What he said... but a CPA is probably the best person to ask to get a "for sure" answer.

LoungeLizard · 02-13-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad

(the IRS loves to audit sole props)

specially photographers!

andylaiphoto · 02-13-2006, 05:08 PM

Thanks guys...what are ballpark figures for the services of a CPA?

brad · 02-13-2006, 05:10 PM

For a brief consult like this, you're probably looking at $100-300, depending on how good they are.

My CPA costs me about $600 a year, but we are a class C corporation and she handles all of our major tax forms.

EDIT: I'd be happy to give you their name, if Mansfield isn't too far for you to go.

andylaiphoto · 02-13-2006, 05:12 PM

Any referrals Brad? I would love to speak with someone about these matters so I don't get it up tha wazoo from Tha Man!
Thanks

Hogleg 44 · 02-13-2006, 05:36 PM

Doesn't the DBA also protect your Business Name so that no one else can set up a business by the same name...or is that another process?

andylaiphoto · 02-13-2006, 05:38 PM

It's the same process and I think it's good for ten years.

brad · 02-13-2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogleg 44

Doesn't the DBA also protect your Business Name so that no one else can set up a business by the same name...or is that another process?

Won't stop someone else named Andy Lai setting up a business called "Andy Lai" ... you cannot prevent someone from using their own name.

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Doing Buisness As