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I'm a total, utter novice when it comes to business issues, so please
bear with me!
I'm from state A, currently living in state B, planning to return to
state A this year. I have a web site that I use for selling various
items; I own its domain name--let's call it xyz.com--and I refer to my
'business' as "xyz.com" (think of Amazon.com). While my 'business' is
just getting off the ground, I expect it to grow. All I've done thus far
is register its domain name. I'm now at a point where I think I should
do something more, but here's where I get lost. I wondered at the
beginning if I should do something to make my business "official" but
didn't do anything. Now I'm receiving offers, like pre-approved credit
cards, addressed to me at xyz.com. In one such case, I pointed out a
typo and they said they'd need my taxpayer ID number in order to change
it. Well, I don't HAVE a taxpayer ID number! (Unless my social
security number will suffice.)
I know that I can register a business name with the county I'm currently
living in, but I don't know whether that's a good/bad/neutral idea, and
I really don't want to anyway. I strongly prefer to have my business
associated with my home state, but since I'm not living there yet, what
are my options? Can I have a relative back home register it there for
me? (And what exactly does "registering" a business mean anyway?!)
I've gotten quite a bit of publicity during the past six months--and I'm
thrilled about that--but I know at some point someone will write
"...xyz.com, a company based in such-and-such city..." and I DON'T want
that to be where I'm living right now.
I have no idea what I should, or ought to, do next. I'll gladly accept
any advice.
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MozillaIsBest wrote:
I'm a total, utter novice when it comes to business issues, so please
bear with me!
I'm from state A, currently living in state B, planning to return to
state A this year. I have a web site that I use for selling various
items; I own its domain name--let's call it xyz.com--and I refer to my
'business' as "xyz.com" (think of Amazon.com). While my 'business' is
just getting off the ground, I expect it to grow. All I've done thus far
is register its domain name. I'm now at a point where I think I should
do something more, but here's where I get lost. I wondered at the
beginning if I should do something to make my business "official" but
didn't do anything. Now I'm receiving offers, like pre-approved credit
cards, addressed to me at xyz.com. In one such case, I pointed out a
typo and they said they'd need my taxpayer ID number in order to change
it. Well, I don't HAVE a taxpayer ID number! (Unless my social
security number will suffice.)
Bull#@($. Did they have your taxpayer ID number before the offer was made?
And you do not give your personal SSN for that crap! Period!
I'd also be quite leery of such offers.
I know that I can register a business name with the county I'm currently
living in, but I don't know whether that's a good/bad/neutral idea, and
I really don't want to anyway. I strongly prefer to have my business
associated with my home state, but since I'm not living there yet, what
are my options? Can I have a relative back home register it there for
me? (And what exactly does "registering" a business mean anyway?!)
I've gotten quite a bit of publicity during the past six months--and I'm
thrilled about that--but I know at some point someone will write
"...xyz.com, a company based in such-and-such city..." and I DON'T want
that to be where I'm living right now.
I have no idea what I should, or ought to, do next. I'll gladly accept
any advice.
If you know for a fact you are going to move to your home state, say within
few months, go ahead and contact the county clerk's office and ask them for
details in this matter.
Then contact the IRS and ask them for a form for a new business taxpayer ID.
It doesn't matter to them what your business is, how much you have, or what
your intentions are. It's just an identification number and nothing more.
I had one with my wholesale business I had years ago. No big deal.
Next thing to do is, acquire a Dunn & Bradstreet number. Referred as DUNS.
No not dial up network service.
You'll find all kinds of new doors opening to you with it.
Don't recall what the cost is, but it's very little or free.
As for the business location itself, you can probably use a relative's house
for that. It can always be changed later.
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I'm a total, utter novice when it comes to business issues, so
please
bear with me!
I'm from state A, currently living in state B, planning to
return to
state A this year. I have a web site that I use for selling
various
items; I own its domain name--let's call it xyz.com--and I refer
to my
'business' as "xyz.com" (think of Amazon.com). While my
'business' is
just getting off the ground, I expect it to grow. All I've done
thus far
is register its domain name. I'm now at a point where I think I
should
do something more, but here's where I get lost. I wondered at
the
beginning if I should do something to make my business
"official" but
didn't do anything. Now I'm receiving offers, like pre-approved
credit
cards, addressed to me at xyz.com. In one such case, I pointed
out a
typo and they said they'd need my taxpayer ID number in order to
change
it. Well, I don't HAVE a taxpayer ID number! (Unless my
social
security number will suffice.)
I know that I can register a business name with the county I'm
currently
living in, but I don't know whether that's a good/bad/neutral
idea, and
I really don't want to anyway. I strongly prefer to have my
business
associated with my home state, but since I'm not living there
yet, what
are my options? Can I have a relative back home register it
there for
me? (And what exactly does "registering" a business mean
anyway?!)
I've gotten quite a bit of publicity during the past six
months--and I'm
thrilled about that--but I know at some point someone will write
"...xyz.com, a company based in such-and-such city..." and I
DON'T want
that to be where I'm living right now.
I have no idea what I should, or ought to, do next. I'll gladly
accept
any advice.
Your business is a proprietorship. All of the business risks are
your personal risks. That can be changed to some extent by
forming a corporation or limited liability company.
Since your name isn't xyz.com, you are doing business under a
ficticious business name. Most states have laws requiring you to
file a notice of that fact with the county recorder. In some
states and counties, only one xyz.com can be recorded. In other
state, including California, any number of people can record use
of the same ficticious business name. Therefore, it isn't
protection of the name.
Most municipalities have laws requiring you to have a business
license. Get it from city hall.
You can (a) form a corporation, (b) form an LLC, (c) record your
ficticious business name, or (d) get your business license, in any
state, any county, regardless of where you live. Just use your
true address on the form. I don't know what anyone means when
they use the term "register a business name". Sometimes they mean
the ficticious business name filing, or the business license, or
incorporation, or registration of the name as a trademark. Take
your pick.
Your social security number is your taxpayer ID number. When you
form a corporation or LLC or partnership you will need to get a
new TIN from the IRS. You can get a new one for your business
now, as a proprietorship, and it would be a good idea. Meanwhile,
your SSN is it.
I think you should start reading up on incorporation.
Never listen to Richard.
McGyver
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McGyver wrote:
please
return to
various
to my
'business' is
thus far
should
the
"official" but
credit
out a
change
social
currently
idea, and
business
yet, what
there for
anyway?!)
months--and I'm
DON'T want
accept
Your business is a proprietorship. All of the business risks are
your personal risks. That can be changed to some extent by
forming a corporation or limited liability company.
Since your name isn't xyz.com, you are doing business under a
ficticious business name. Most states have laws requiring you to
file a notice of that fact with the county recorder. In some
states and counties, only one xyz.com can be recorded. In other
state, including California, any number of people can record use
of the same ficticious business name. Therefore, it isn't
protection of the name.
Most municipalities have laws requiring you to have a business
license. Get it from city hall.
You can (a) form a corporation, (b) form an LLC, (c) record your
ficticious business name, or (d) get your business license, in any
state, any county, regardless of where you live. Just use your
true address on the form. I don't know what anyone means when
they use the term "register a business name". Sometimes they mean
the ficticious business name filing, or the business license, or
incorporation, or registration of the name as a trademark. Take
your pick.
Your social security number is your taxpayer ID number. When you
form a corporation or LLC or partnership you will need to get a
new TIN from the IRS. You can get a new one for your business
now, as a proprietorship, and it would be a good idea. Meanwhile,
your SSN is it.
I think you should start reading up on incorporation.
Never listen to Richard.
McGyver
Your basic business license is granted to you by the local jurisdiction.
"Bob's Towing" can exist in Los Angeles, as well as in Sacremento, and owned
by two different people.
However, "Bob's Towing" is protected against duplication within either
county.
If you had a business called "McGyver's fix it shop" in city A, and I wanted
to start a business with the same name in city B, in the same state, that's
perfectly legal to do.
Unless you trademarked the name or incorporated within the state.
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McGyver wrote:
Since your name isn't xyz.com, you are doing business under a
ficticious business name. Most states have laws requiring you to
file a notice of that fact with the county recorder. In some
states and counties, only one xyz.com can be recorded. In other
state, including California, any number of people can record use
of the same ficticious business name. Therefore, it isn't
protection of the name.
It's funny that you mention California, because that's my home state
(where I'm headed back to later this year).
Most municipalities have laws requiring you to have a business
license. Get it from city hall.
I guess I've been under the impression that since my 'business' is
TOTALLY web-based (i.e., no inventory at my house, no clients/customers
coming to my house, etc.) this wasn't necessary. I guess I was wrong! :-)
You can (a) form a corporation, (b) form an LLC, (c) record your
ficticious business name, or (d) get your business license, in any
state, any county, regardless of where you live. Just use your
true address on the form.
#d is great to know, and sounds like exactly what I need.
Your social security number is your taxpayer ID number. When you
form a corporation or LLC or partnership you will need to get a
new TIN from the IRS. You can get a new one for your business
now, as a proprietorship, and it would be a good idea. Meanwhile,
your SSN is it.
Great info.
I think you should start reading up on incorporation.
I will!
Never listen to Richard.
I know about Richard's reputation here! However, believe it or not,
there were a couple of things in his reply that made sense (whether
they're correct or not is a different matter!).
Thank you so much for all the info.
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McGyver wrote:
It's funny that you mention California, because that's my home state
(where I'm headed back to later this year).
If you will be in Southern California, drop in and see me anytime. In
California, the ficticious business name statement is not exclusive.
That means there can be many of businesses with identical names, in
the same county and city. I sued a company called The Reliable
Company. The Los Angeles County Recorder had hundreds of them in the
ficticious business name register. The filing is simply a disclosure
to the public that you will be using a ficticious business name.
Other states have exclusivity procedures.
Most municipalities have laws requiring you to have a business
license. Get it from city hall.
I guess I've been under the impression that since my 'business' is
TOTALLY web-based (i.e., no inventory at my house, no
clients/customers
coming to my house, etc.) this wasn't necessary. I guess I was
wrong! :-)
The business license is primarilly a revenue source for cities. They
don't care that you don't have customers or inventory. They need the
$40 to $100 per year per business.
You can (a) form a corporation, (b) form an LLC, (c) record your
ficticious business name, or (d) get your business license, in any
state, any county, regardless of where you live. Just use your
true address on the form.
#d is great to know, and sounds like exactly what I need.
Your social security number is your taxpayer ID number. When you
form a corporation or LLC or partnership you will need to get a
new TIN from the IRS. You can get a new one for your business
now, as a proprietorship, and it would be a good idea. Meanwhile,
your SSN is it.
Great info.
I will!
I know about Richard's reputation here! However, believe it or not,
there were a couple of things in his reply that made sense (whether
they're correct or not is a different matter!).
That's the problem. He often makes sense. The crackpots are easier
to spot. Richard isn't a crackpot, he makes up the answers from thin
air, and they often sound logical.
Thank you so much for all the info.
Anytime.
McGyver
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Your secretary of state's website usually has information on this.
--
Ray Gordon, Author
http://www.cybersheet.com/easy.html
Seduction Made Easy. Get this book FREE when you buy participating
affiliated books!
http://www.cybersheet.com/library.html
The Seduction Library. Four free books to get you started on your quest to
get laid.
Don't buy anything from experts who won't debate on a free speech forum.
I'm a total, utter novice when it comes to business issues, so please bear
with me!
I'm from state A, currently living in state B, planning to return to state
A this year. I have a web site that I use for selling various items; I
own its domain name--let's call it xyz.com--and I refer to my 'business'
as "xyz.com" (think of Amazon.com). While my 'business' is just getting
off the ground, I expect it to grow. All I've done thus far is register
its domain name. I'm now at a point where I think I should do something
more, but here's where I get lost. I wondered at the beginning if I
should do something to make my business "official" but didn't do anything.
Now I'm receiving offers, like pre-approved credit cards, addressed to me
at xyz.com. In one such case, I pointed out a typo and they said they'd
need my taxpayer ID number in order to change it. Well, I don't HAVE a
taxpayer ID number! (Unless my social security number will suffice.)
I know that I can register a business name with the county I'm currently
living in, but I don't know whether that's a good/bad/neutral idea, and I
really don't want to anyway. I strongly prefer to have my business
associated with my home state, but since I'm not living there yet, what
are my options? Can I have a relative back home register it there for me?
(And what exactly does "registering" a business mean anyway?!) I've gotten
quite a bit of publicity during the past six months--and I'm thrilled
about that--but I know at some point someone will write "...xyz.com, a
company based in such-and-such city..." and I DON'T want that to be where
I'm living right now.
I have no idea what I should, or ought to, do next. I'll gladly accept
any advice.
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