back surgery

[C!LLY]

So I had to resign from my job at Sallie Mae on tuesday Sept 2 and I had my surgery on wednesday Sept 3. I was released on good behavior on Sept 5 and came home to some yummy meds and some itchy incisions. I have a granny walker and a "potty chair" used for toilet rails and showering, but not at the same time.

Today was the first day that I drove my car and as I got 3 miles down the road I realized that I should have sneaked off with the truck while my husband was in the shower. My car is a standard and my left leg and foot has a considerable amount of numbness from the nerve being compressed from the surgery. After a while I just got used to it and pushed my seat a little more forward than should be considered safe in case I got into an accident, but made it easier to shift gears.

So now I am jobless, unemployment benefit-less, and disability benefit-less and have plenty of time to work on my photography....once I am strong enough to carry around my gear. Dr says no lifting more than 10 pounds in the first 6 weeks and no lifting 20 pounds in the second six weeks. So today I came up with the bright idea to inquire about how to get my business license to start a legitimate photography business here in Killeen. I recieved a lot of literature about taxes and who to talk to and the workforce center offers workshops with people to help write a business plan to pitch to the business license giver-outers and I went to central texas college and registered for a self employed book keeping class. The accounting class already started and I will be taking that one the next time it comes around. I also received a flyer about how to get a contract to work on Fort Hood. There will be a seminar for that in feb 09.

I am about as super stoked right now that my meds will allow me to be. With that being said I am ready for bed, I just wanted to pass on my new news.

[CaptainTom]

Good news that the back is on the mend, although a slow and uncomfortable regime ahead.
No business plan should be required to get a business license. Perhaps you are referring to a small business loan ? Get a tax number from Austin.
Learn about marketing. Business cards yet? Web presence yet ? DBA in order to get a seperate bank account for the business.

[C!LLY]

The guy at the workforce center said that I will need the business plan when I go in to apply for the license and register my business name. He also said that my ssn will be my tax id since it will be a Sole Proprietorship. I was looking up some stuff on legalzoom.com and was wondering if any of y'all have ever used it and if it's worth looking into. I also have no idea how to get contracts for my customers. Do I need those done by a lawyer or can I just do them myself?

[CaptainTom]

Check with your county/city. I don't know of anywhere that a photographer needs to be "licensed". You need a tax ID number and your bank MAY require a DBA in order to set up an account in the name you choose for your business.

[east_tx]

Good luck on recovery and the new business pursuit.

[sandy_ruotolo]

Speedy recovery, and good luck in the pursuit of the new business. Think it's a good idea to brush up on the accounting skills, about the taxes, not being a Texan, I can't comment, different states have different regulations.

[andyz]

You can go to Belton to get a dba and register your business name. The Annex on Priest Dr. may do dba filings. I'm not sure but it would be worth a call.

I've never heard of needing a business plan to get a dba. Small business loan yes, assumed name certificate, no. You can create your own contract. But if you ever have to defend it in court, I'd rather it had been done by a lawyer who would be representing me. You might also look at PPA and the Texas version of that. A) you can get insurance, and B) they may have contracts that have been tested available to members free or at a discount. That membership may pay for itself.

You might also consider getting a small business bookkeeper/CPA. That too may pay for itself the first time you really need it. Some will cost more than others, depending on what you do and need. You do need a good understanding of the Texas sales tax so you know what to charges and when, and how much and when you need to pay. You may also save taxes on gear and supplies you buy, but then you also need to understand depreciation and taxes on your company assets. So even if you start with a strong consultation and then go to a quarterly meeting with an accountant, you could be light years ahead.

Hope the back mends and the business prospers. As a local, let me know if I can help.

[C!LLY]

thanks for all the help. I was told that the office in belton is closed and it is in killeen now. I have a friend that is a cpa in NC, and she knows some people here so she said she will give me some names to look up. I actually cant wait to take the accounting classes, I know that I'll need them. the thing I am looking forward to the most is trying to get a contract on Fort Hood. When I had my son they did not have infant photographers, which in a way was a good thing for me. Even though I was expecting those traditional hospital baby photos, I ended up coming home and using my mother in laws sony mavica cd1000 to take my sons pictures myself and from then on people have been bugging me to either take pics of themselves, their children, or start my own business. So to this day they still dont have an infant photographer and I want to go to the seminar to learn how to get the contracts on post so I can get that one.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by C!LLY

The guy at the workforce center said that I will need the business plan when I go in to apply for the license and register my business name. He also said that my ssn will be my tax id since it will be a Sole Proprietorship. I was looking up some stuff on legalzoom.com and was wondering if any of y'all have ever used it and if it's worth looking into. I also have no idea how to get contracts for my customers. Do I need those done by a lawyer or can I just do them myself?

As far as a W-9 form is concerned, you are right, your SSN is your tax ID. However, you will need a sales tax ID from the state comptroller's office. You can apply for one online and it's free. Of course, then you've got to charge and pay sales tax to the state.