Business licenses for freelancers??

[jcolman]

What kind of license (if any) do you have? I have a full time job but I'm starting to do some freelance work on the side. Do you guys still get a business license, etc??

I also need to pick up some liability insurance as well.

Any helpful tips will be most appreciated.

 

[jols]

sorry cant help as in uk the laws are way different

someone will come along soon

 

[Holy Ghosted]

I have a sales tax ID that you get through your main government office IE the state capital you can also register your business at your local county office. For Liability Ins I use my same carry for my house and cars, (State Farm) They cover all my Liability and all my equipment.

 

[Big Mike]

It depends on the type of business you set up...and of course on the local laws & rules. Check out your local city hall or state government...they should have all the info you need.

 

[bhop]

In L.A. you have to have one, but it was just a city thing (i had to get one for graphic design). "The Man" wants his cut..

Big Mike's right, you should check with your city/state.

 

[JIP]

It definately depends on what kind of freelanceing you are planning on doing and of course how much money you are really going to make.

 

[lifeafter2am]

I don't know about business license, but I use State Farm to insure my equipment. In fact, they are sending me a check now.... finally!

 

[jcolman]

It definately depends on what kind of freelanceing you are planning on doing and of course how much money you are really going to make.

I'm kind of in a unique situation. I work full time as a video producer/director for a production company. My plan is to offer still photo services thru the company, then grow my freelance business from that. I plan on retiring from this company in six years so I would like to have an established client list and contacts that I can take with me. All this is with the consent of the owner of my company.

While working for my current employer, I am of course, under their business umbrella. However, I do plan on shooting some jobs on my own time and bill these jobs outside of the video production company. This is where the "business license" issue comes in. I don't really want to go full time with still photography when I retire, rather I want to make a little money doing what I love, to help supplement my retirement income. I will probably shoot a little of everything, from corporate accounts to the occasional wedding and portraits.

Sorry to be so long winded.