When starting your photography business, you'll need to decide on a business entity. The most common options are sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC (Limited Liability Company), and S Corporation. Here's a brief overview of each, with a touch of humor:
To operate your photography business legally, you may need to obtain various licenses and registrations. The requirements vary depending on your location and the type of photography services you offer. Some common licenses and registrations include:
If you're not operating under your own name, you'll need to register your business name. This is known as a DBA (Doing Business As) or fictitious business name. It's like giving your business a cool nickname, so people don't confuse you with all the other John Smith Photography businesses out there.
First decide on a business structure Photographer as a Sole Proprietor, LLC/Corp, or Partnership.
Selling/Leasing or if wanting to buy or sell Photographer merchandise, food, equipment requires a Seller's Permit.
All Photographer Businesses Using a DBA doing business as name need a DBA Fictitious Business Name
Hiring Photographer Workers Requires a Federal EIN and a State Tax Number EIN
All Selling Online Businesses (Including Web based, Online, Websites, Home or eBay Businesses) that use a trade business name, need a(n) Carbon County DBA Business Name Registration
Retailers / Wholesalers, (Including Web based, Online, Websites, Home or eBay Businesses) Need a(n) WY Sellers Permit (A.K.A state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate).
Employers (Including Web based, Online, Websites, Home or eBay Businesses) Need a WY Federal Tax Id Number and a(n) WY State Employer Tax Number
Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing in Rawlins, Incorporate in WY or form a(n) WY LLC
Rawlins Example:
FAQs:
1. Do you have a sense of what business you would like to start?
2. Home occupation permit vs Business License - What is the difference?
3. Do I need to file a DBA assumed business name registration? What about a federal tax ID?
4. When do I need to get a business license? In what order do I get tax IDs and licenses?
5. What permits do I need?
6. So if I set up a corporation I still need to get a business license? Or is it the case that if I have filed an LLC or corproration I will not need a business license?
7. Why do I need a business license?
A: If you have a passion for being in your own business but do not know what business to start
A: The business license is required for all businesses. The home occupation permit is required when you do business from home but you may also need a business license in addition to a home occupation permit. That is the difference.
A: You need to file a DBA because it is required by law if your business is doing business under a name other than the legal name of the business for sole proprietors and the corporate name if it is an LLC or corporation. You need a federal tax id for a partnership.
A: You need it immediately after or before you start a business. There is no order of getting licenses. You need to get them as soon as possible.
A: You need at least a business license and a DBA. If you selling taxable items, you will need a seller's permit. If you are an employer, you will need a federal and state employer number EIN.
A: No, all businesses and all forms of ownership need a business license.
A: You need a business license because government licensing authorities require you get one so you can pay them taxes and comply with safety and health related rules.