The Small Business Start-Up Kit

by Pakroo, Peri; Healy, Peg; Healy, Peg

• ISBN13: 9780873379243
• ISBN10: 0873379241
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-05-01
• Publisher: Nolo

Summary

A guide for setting up a small business covers such topics as writing an effective business plan, drafting contracts, keeping records, and preparing taxes.

Table of Contents

Working for Yourself Is Easier Than You Think
Get Started---And Get On With Your Business	3	(1)
Making the Decision to Go Official	4	(1)
Get Ready for the Ride	5
Choosing a Legal Structure
Sole Proprietorships	2	(4)
Partnerships	6	(6)
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)	12	(3)
Corporations	15	(5)
Choosing the Best Structure for Your Business	20
Picking Winning Business Names That Won't Land You in Court
An Overview of Trademark Law	5	(6)
Trademark Issues Online	11	(5)
Name Searches	16	(4)
Choosing and Registering a Domain Name	20	(3)
Trademark Registration	23	(2)
Winning Names for Your Business, Products and Services	25
Choosing a Legal and Lucrative Business Location
Picking the Right Spot	2	(4)
Complying With Zoning Laws	6	(3)
Commercial Leases	9	(1)
When Your Home Is Your Office	10
Drafting an Effective Business Plan
Different Purposes Require Different Plans	2	(1)
Describing the Business and Yourself	3	(5)
Making Financial Projections	8	(2)
Break-Even Analysis	10	(9)
Profit/Loss Forecast	19	(4)
Start-Up Cost Estimate	23	(1)
Cash Flow Projection	23	(4)
Putting It All Together	27
Pricing, Bidding and Billing Projects
Pricing and Billing for Service Businesses	2	(4)
Bidding and Creating Proposals	6	(3)
Pricing for Businesses Selling Products	9
Federal, State and Local Start-Up Requirements
File Organizational Documents With Your State (Corporations, LLCs and Limited Partnerships Only)	4	(1)
Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number	5	(3)
Register Your Fictitious Business Name With Your County or State	8	(3)
Obtain a Local Tax Registration Certificate (a.k.a. ``Business License'')	11	(2)
Obtain a State Seller's Permit	13	(1)
Obtain Specialized Licenses or Permits	13
Risk Management and Insurance
Who's Going to Sue?	2	(6)
Risk Management Strategies	8	(4)
Insurance	12
Paying Your Taxes
Tax Basics	2	(7)
Income Taxes for Sole Proprietors	9	(2)
Income Taxes for Partnerships	11	(2)
Income Taxes for LLCs	13	(2)
Estimating and Paying Your Taxes Quarterly	15	(4)
City and County Taxes	19	(1)
Sales Taxes	20
Entering Into Contracts and Agreements
Contract Basics	2	(5)
Using Standard Contracts	7	(1)
How to Draft a Contract	8	(5)
Reading and Revising a Contract	13	(1)
Special Issues for Electronic Contracts	13
Bookkeeping, Accounting and Financial Management
Accounting Basics	4	(1)
Cash vs. Accrual Accounting	5	(2)
Keeping Your Receipts	7	(3)
Setting Up and Posting to Ledgers	10	(5)
Creating Basic Financial Reports	15
Building Your Business and Hiring Workers
Employees vs. Independent Contractors	2	(3)
Special Hurdles for Employers	5
Getting Professional Help
Working With Lawyers	2	(3)
Working With Accountants and Other Professionals	5	(2)
Internet Legal Research	7
Appendixes
A State Contact Information
Small Business Start-Up Issues	3	(5)
State Tax Agencies	8	(5)
State Sales Tax/Seller's Permit Agencies	13	(5)
LLC Offices	18	(6)
State Unemployment Compensation Agencies	24
B How to Use the Forms CD-ROM
Installing the Form Files Onto Your Computer	2	(1)
Using the Word Processing Files	3	(1)
Using IRS Form Files	4	(2)
List of Forms Included on the CD-ROM	6
C Tear-Out Forms
Partnership Agreement
Application for Employer Identification Number (Form SS-4)
Determination of Worker Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding (Form SS-8)
Election To Have a Tax Year Other Than a Required Tax Year (Form 8716)
Entity Classification Election (Form 8832)